Comox tree removal rules and permits

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

Comox, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

Short answer

In Comox you need a Tree Permit to cut, remove or damage a Regulated Tree: a priority species of at least 20 cm trunk diameter, any other tree of at least 30 cm, or any Protected Tree. The application fee is $50. Pruning to best practices needs no permit.

Key facts

When a permit is needed	A Tree Permit is needed to cut, remove or damage a Regulated Tree, anywhere in the Town. Regulated Trees are: Priority Species (such as Douglas-fir, Western redcedar, arbutus, Garry oak, bigleaf maple) with a trunk diameter at breast height (DBH, 1.4 m up) of at least 20 cm; other species of at least 30 cm DBH; and any Protected Tree (50 cm DBH or more, any tree on Town land or boulevard, and trees planted or retained under a permit or covenant). Pruning done to best practices does not need a permit.Tree Protection Bylaw No. 2063, s. 2(1)(u), (v), (y); s. 3; s. 4; Tree Permit, Tree Permit page, Pruning · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording This bylaw applies throughout the Town of Comox. For a Priority Species, a tree having a D.B.H. of at least 20 cm; For a tree other than a Priority Species, a tree having a D.B.H. of at least 30 cm; A tree having a diameter of 50 cm or more; No person shall Damage, Cut, or Remove a Regulated Tree or cause, suffer, or permit If pruning is done in accordance with Best Practices (see resources below) then a Tree Permit will not be required.
Exemptions	The bylaw does not apply to cutting or removal by the Town or its agents; during a lawful forest practice; on managed forest land where zoning allows forestry; on Crown land by the Crown; by a public utility on its own land for safety, maintenance or operation; or to accommodate a lawful farm operation under the Farm Practices Protection (Right to Farm) Act. A tree in imminent danger of falling and injuring people or property may be cut before applying, but a permit application with photos must be filed within three business days and the remains kept until the Parks Manager decides. Trees under the size thresholds (and not Protected Trees) are not Regulated Trees.Tree Protection Bylaw No. 2063, s. 5(1); s. 6(1)-(2) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording By the Town or its agents during the discharge of their duties To accommodate a lawful farm operation as defined by the Farm Practices the tree in question is in imminent danger of Apply for a Tree Permit within three business days and provide the Parks Manager
Fee	$50 per application when the permit is not related to a Development Permit; $100 per application when it is related to a Development Permit. The fee is waived when the application concerns only the removal of a dead tree, an invasive species or a Hazardous Tree.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2058 (PDF, consolidated to June 10, 2026), Schedule K; Tree Protection Bylaw No. 2063, s. 12(2) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Tree permit application (not related to a Development $50.00 per application Tree permit application (related to a Development $100.00 per application shall be waived where the application concerns only the removal of a dead tree, an invasive species, or a Hazardous Tree
Replacement trees	A Tree Permit may require replacement trees: 1 for a tree of 19 cm DBH or smaller, 2 for 20-59 cm, 3 for 60-69 cm, 4 for 70-79 cm, 6 for 80-89 cm, 8 for 90-99 cm and 10 for 100 cm or larger. The number is reduced by one for each Retained Tree designated on the permit, but no reduction applies when removing more than 10 Regulated Trees (or more than 10 within two years). Replacements must be planted on the lot. Cash in lieu may be accepted at $1,000 per tree. A refundable security is required where replacements are a condition of a permit tied to a development application.Tree Protection Bylaw No. 2063, s. 10(1)-(2), (5), (9); s. 12(3); Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2058 (PDF, consolidated to June 10, 2026), Schedule K · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording A Tree Permit may specify as a condition that Replacement Trees must be planted by 20 – 59 cm 2 no reduction for Retained Trees will be provided where a Replacement Trees must be planted on the Lot for which the Tree Permit is issued. the Town may accept cash in lieu of Replacement Tree planting Replacement Trees (Cash in Lieu) $1000.00 per tree
City trees	Any tree growing wholly or partly on Town-owned or Town-managed land is a Protected Tree regardless of size, and the boulevard (the area between the roadway and the private property line) is Town-owned land. Contact the Town Parks Department (parks@comox.ca or 250-339-2421) before doing any work on such a tree. Cash in lieu for a tree removed from Town property or a highway may equal the tree's appraised value.Tree Permit, Tree Permit page, Tree on Town Property; Tree Protection Bylaw No. 2063, s. 10(10) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Trees on Town-owned or Town-managed land are Protected Trees, regardless of their size. Town-owned land includes the boulevard which is the area between the roadway and a private property line. Call 250-339-2421 (ask to leave a message regarding a Tree Permit) the Parks Manager may determine that the amount charged for Replacement Trees shall equal
Fine	Bylaw notice: $500 for removing, cutting or damaging a regulated tree without a valid permit (no early-payment discount listed). Also $500 for breaking permit conditions, not installing tree protection fencing, not planting replacements, not paying cash in lieu, or not applying after an emergency removal; $100 for not posting the permit or not marking the trees. The bylaw also allows court prosecution with penalties of up to $50,000.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2004 (PDF, consolidated to June 10, 2026), Schedule A, Table A19; Tree Protection Bylaw No. 2063, s. 15(1) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording A19 -- TREE PROTECTION BYLAW NO. 2063 Remove, Cut or Damage any regulated tree without a valid permit $500.00 is guilty of an offence and is liable, upon summary conviction, for penalties of up to penalties of up to $50,000
Bylaw	Tree Protection Bylaw No. 2063 (adopted June 10, 2026). Fees are in Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2058, Schedule K.Tree Protection Bylaw No. 2063, s. 1; s. 19 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording This bylaw may be cited for all purposes as the “Tree Protection Bylaw No. 2063”. ADOPTED this 1oth day of June, 2026

How it works

The Town of Comox Tree Protection Bylaw No. 2063 applies anywhere in the Town. A Regulated Tree is a priority species (such as Douglas-fir, Western redcedar, arbutus, Garry oak or bigleaf maple) with a trunk diameter at breast height (DBH, measured 1.4 m up) of at least 20 cm; any other species of at least 30 cm DBH; or any Protected Tree. Protected Trees include trees of 50 cm DBH or more, any tree on Town land or the boulevard, and trees planted or retained under a permit or covenant. "Damage" includes removing more than 25% of live foliage, topping, root harm and poisoning.

Steps

Measure the trunk at 1.4 m above the ground.
If it is a Regulated Tree, apply for a Tree Permit using the Town's Tree Permit page (comox.ca/treepermit) and pay the fee.
Expect to plant replacement trees as a permit condition.
For a tree on the boulevard or other Town land, contact Parks first (250-339-2421 or parks@comox.ca).

Good to know

Fee: $50 per application, or $100 if the permit is tied to a Development Permit. Waived for a dead tree, an invasive species or a Hazardous Tree.
Replacements: 1 tree for a tree of 19 cm DBH or smaller, 2 for 20 to 59 cm, 3 for 60 to 69 cm, 4 for 70 to 79 cm, 6 for 80 to 89 cm, 8 for 90 to 99 cm, and 10 for 100 cm or larger. The number drops by one for each Retained Tree on the permit, except when removing more than 10 Regulated Trees. Replacements go on your lot; cash in lieu may be accepted at $1,000 per tree.
Exemptions: the bylaw does not apply to Town work, lawful forest practice, managed forest land where zoning allows forestry, Crown land, a public utility's own safety or operating work, or a lawful farm operation under the Right to Farm Act.
Emergencies: a tree in imminent danger of falling and injuring people or property may be cut first, but you must file a permit application with photos within three business days and keep the remains until the Parks Manager decides.
Penalty: a bylaw notice is $500 for removing, cutting or damaging a regulated tree without a permit; $500 for breaking permit conditions or not planting replacements; $100 for not posting the permit. The bylaw also allows court penalties of up to $50,000.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Courtenay · Cumberland · Powell River · Campbell River · Port Alberni · Qualicum Beach

Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Tree Protection Bylaw No. 2063 (PDF), Town of Comox (read 2026-11-06)
Tree Permit, Town of Comox (read 2026-11-06)
Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2058 (PDF, consolidated to June 10, 2026), Town of Comox (read 2026-11-06)
Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2004 (PDF, consolidated to June 10, 2026), Town of Comox (read 2026-11-06)

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