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Clearwater tree removal rules and permits

Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property?

Clearwater, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

Short answer

Clearwater has no tree-cutting bylaw for private land. A development permit is needed to remove vegetation inside a development permit area in the Official Community Plan, such as steep slopes, floodplain or environmental areas. Trees on a boulevard or public land need District approval.

Key facts

When a permit is neededNo District tree-cutting bylaw was found. A development permit is needed to remove or destroy vegetation inside a development permit area in the 2026 OCP (DPA 4 Hazard Lands: steep slopes and floodplain; DPA 5 Environmental; and the centre DPAs 1 to 3), but only for the part of the lot inside the DPA boundary (OCP Maps 7 and 8).Official Community Plan (PDF, 2026), s. 4.1.4, 4.5.2, 4.6.2, 4.6.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
A development permit is required in accordance with Section 489 of the Local Government Act, for any
Removal, alteration, disruption, or destruction of vegetation.
DPA 4 guidelines apply to all lands identified as Steep Slopes or Floodplain, as shown on Map 7.
DPA 5 guidelines apply to all lands identified as Environmentally Sensitive Areas (Blue Listed Species
For clarity, these requirements apply only to the portion of the parcel located within the DPA boundary.
ExemptionsNo development permit is needed to remove danger trees identified by a qualified arborist, to remove invasive plants, or for FireSmart work within 30 m of a structure (OCP s. 4.1.5). DPA 5 also exempts clearing of land for agricultural purposes; DPA 4 exempts removal of hazardous trees on steep slopes.Official Community Plan (PDF, 2026), s. 4.1.5 General Exemptions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
danger trees as identified by a qualified arborist and removal of invasive plant species.
FireSmart vegetation management: within 30 metres of a structure, where conducted in
5. Removal of: danger trees as identified by a qualified arborist and removal of invasive plant species.
b. Clearing of land for agricultural purposes.
c. Removal of trees deemed hazardous by a Qualified Arborist that threaten the immediate
FeeNo tree-cutting permit or fee was found. Where a development permit is needed, the fee is $250 if issuance is delegated to staff or $500 if considered by Council (Bylaw 118, Schedule A).Development Procedures Bylaw No. 118, Schedule A fees · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
Development Permit where issuance is delegated $250
Development Permit where considered by Council $500
Development Permit where issuance is delegated
Development Permit where considered by Council
Replacement treesNo general tree replacement rule. In a development permit area the District may require a security deposit of 125% of a qualified professional's cost estimate; on steep slopes (DPA 4) replanting must occur promptly where removal is needed for grading or construction.Official Community Plan (PDF, 2026), ss. 4.1.8, 4.5.6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
be calculated at 125% of the cost estimate prepared by the Landscape Architect, Designer, Professional
Where removal is necessary for grading or construction, replanting must occur promptly
City treesA person must not cut, prune, top or remove trees, hedges, shrubs or other plantings from a boulevard, road allowance, park or other public place unless Council or the Public Works Manager authorizes it.Traffic and Use of Highways Bylaw No. 160, 2017 (PDF, consolidated), s. 5.1(j) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
5.1 Except as specifically authorized, directed or permitted by Council, the Public Works
(j) alter or remove any fence or guardrail, or cut, prune, top or remove any trees,
hedges, shrubs or other plantings from a boulevard, road allowance, park or other public place;
FineBoulevard trees: municipal ticket $100 ($75 if paid within 30 days) for topping or removing trees or plants on a boulevard without a permit. No ticket was found for cutting trees on private land.Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 221, 2019 (PDF, consolidated to September 2024), Schedule 8; s. 3.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
Top or remove trees, plants, on boulevard without
5.1 (j) 100 75
the discounted fines pursuant to section 265(2) of the Community Charter for the
BylawNo tree bylaw found. Development permit areas: Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 331, 2026; boulevard trees: Traffic and Use of Highways Bylaw No. 160, 2017Planning Department, District Planning page; Traffic and Use of Highways Bylaw No. 160, 2017 (PDF, consolidated), s. 1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 331 2026 (OCP)
District of Clearwater Traffic and Use of Highways Bylaw No. 160, 2017

How it works

We found no District bylaw that protects trees or requires a permit to cut them on private land. The one exception is a development permit area (DPA) in the 2026 Official Community Plan. A development permit is needed to remove or destroy vegetation inside a DPA, but only for the part of the lot inside the DPA boundary. The DPAs are:

  • DPA 4, Hazard Lands (steep slopes and floodplain)
  • DPA 5, Environmental
  • DPAs 1 to 3, the centre areas

Check OCP Maps 7 and 8 to see if your lot is in one.

Public land: under the Traffic and Use of Highways Bylaw No. 160, no one may cut, prune, top or remove trees, hedges, shrubs or other plantings from a boulevard, road allowance, park or other public place unless Council or the Public Works Manager authorizes it.

Steps

  1. Check OCP Maps 7 and 8 for your lot, or ask TNRD Planning (250-377-8673).
  2. If the tree is in a DPA, apply for a development permit through the District. The fee is $250 if issuance is delegated to staff or $500 if Council considers it (Development Procedures Bylaw No. 118, Schedule A).
  3. For a boulevard tree, ask the District office (250-674-2257) first.

Good to know

  • No development permit is needed to remove danger trees identified by a qualified arborist, to remove invasive plants, or for FireSmart work within 30 m of a structure. DPA 5 also exempts clearing land for agricultural purposes, and DPA 4 exempts removing hazardous trees on steep slopes.
  • There is no general tree replacement rule. In a DPA the District may require a security deposit of 125% of a qualified professional's cost estimate. On steep slopes, replanting must happen promptly where removal is needed for grading or construction.
  • Fine: topping or removing trees or plants on a boulevard without a permit is a municipal ticket of $100 ($75 if paid within 30 days). We found no ticket for cutting trees on private land.
  • The Bylaw 118 fees are from a 2014 schedule with a 2019 amendment, so a newer fee may apply.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Barriere · 100 Mile House · Kamloops · Enderby · Revelstoke · Armstrong

Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Official Community Plan (PDF, 2026), District of Clearwater (read 2026-11-08)
  2. Planning Department, District of Clearwater (read 2026-11-08)
  3. Traffic and Use of Highways Bylaw No. 160, 2017 (PDF, consolidated) (read 2026-11-08)
  4. Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 221, 2019 (PDF, consolidated to September 2024) (read 2026-11-08)
  5. Development Procedures Bylaw No. 118 (PDF), Schedule A fees (read 2026-11-08)

Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.