{"title":"Courtenay tree removal rules and permits","question":"Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property?","slug":"tree-removal","place":{"path":"ca/bc/courtenay","name":"Courtenay","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"building-and-renovating","name":"Building, renovating and your property"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"City of Courtenay","url":"https://www.courtenay.ca"},"short_answer":"Often yes. In Courtenay a Tree Cutting Permit is needed for a protected tree or any tree over 20 cm across at breast height, on lots over 4,000 m². On smaller lots, a permit is needed when removal would leave the lot below its tree target.","aliases":["tree cutting permit courtenay","tree bylaw courtenay","cut down tree courtenay","hazardous tree courtenay","garry oak courtenay"],"cost":"Permit $100 (lots of 4,000 m² or less, or removing only two trees on a lot of any size); $500 for lots over 4,000 m² and multi-lot subdivisions; no fee for a hazardous tree. Replacement security $300 per tree.","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"online","label":"Tree cutting permit application","value":"https://digitalsmartforms.ca/f/s.aspx?s=64334226-0DF8-4139-A768-008CF0D07604"},{"type":"online","label":"Tree Bylaw map (lot size and trees required)","value":"https://courtenay.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=36b80ad823ac4c90994dd2ac09a3df3f"},{"type":"email","label":"Planning","value":"planning@courtenay.ca"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Tree management","url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/community-and-culture/environment-and-sustainability/tree-management"},{"title":"Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 2850 (PDF)","url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/2850-tree-protection-bylaw"},{"title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1673 (consolidated July 2026, PDF)","url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/fees-and-charges-bylaw-no-1673-consolidated-version-july-2026"}],"related":[{"slug":"secondary-suite","title":"Courtenay secondary suite and carriage house rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/secondary-suite/"},{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Courtenay building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/building-permit/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/comox","name":"Comox","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/cumberland","name":"Cumberland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/powell-river","name":"Powell River","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/powell-river/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/campbell-river","name":"Campbell River","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-alberni","name":"Port Alberni","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/qualicum-beach","name":"Qualicum Beach","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/tree-removal/"}],"topic":{"title":"Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tree-removal/"},"facts":{"permit_needed":{"label":"When a permit is needed","value":"A Tree Cutting Permit is required before removing a protected tree or any tree over 20 cm diameter at breast height, on any greenfield property (over 4,000 m²), or on an infill property (under 4,000 m²) when removal would leave it below the tree density target. Cutting limbs of 10 cm or more from a protected species also needs one.","short":"Yes, for trees over 20 cm diameter on larger lots","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/2850-tree-protection-bylaw","title":"Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 2850 (PDF), City of Courtenay","section":"ss. 5.2, 5.3","quotes":["A Tree Cutting Permit is required to be obtained prior to any tree over 20cm Diameter at Breast Height or protected tree being removed in the following circumstances:","on any greenfield property;","on any infill property where the removal of said trees will result in the tree density","greater than 10 centimeter diameter being cut from any protected species;"]},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/2850-tree-protection-bylaw","title":"Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 2850 (PDF), City of Courtenay","section":"s. 3 definitions","quotes":["“Greenfield” means undeveloped real property that is greater than 4000 meters in size","“Infill” means real property that is less than 4000 square meters in size","“Tree density target” means 50 trees per net developable hectare;"]},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/community-and-culture/environment-and-sustainability/tree-management","title":"Tree management, City of Courtenay","section":"Do I need a tree cutting permit?","quotes":["You are removing trees of any size in environmentally sensitive areas (e.g., riparian areas)*."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"exemptions":{"label":"Exemptions","value":"Not covered: pruning non-protected species per good arboricultural practice; orchard, nursery and tree-farm plantations; trees certified in writing as interfering with sewers, drains, water lines, septic fields or power lines; Forest Act tree-farm land. No permit on an infill property if removal keeps it at the density target and the tree is not protected.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/2850-tree-protection-bylaw","title":"Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 2850 (PDF), City of Courtenay","section":"ss. 7.1, 7.2","quotes":["pruning of trees other than protected species in accordance with good arboricultural","trees that are part of plantations for the purposes of an orchard, nursery, or tree farm;","is impairing, interfering with, or presents a risk or hazard","land and the trees on it if forestry practices on the land are governed by a tree farm","A Tree Cutting Permit is not required on an infill property when tree removal will not"]},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/community-and-culture/environment-and-sustainability/tree-management","title":"Tree management, City of Courtenay","section":"Tree cutting permit fees","quotes":["Hazardous tree cutting permit: Free"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee":{"label":"Fee","value":"$100 (lots of 4,000 m² or less, or removing only two trees on a lot of any size); $500 for lots over 4,000 m² and multi-lot subdivisions; no fee for a hazardous tree.","short":"$100 (lots of 4,000 m² or less); $500 for larger lots","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/community-and-culture/environment-and-sustainability/tree-management","title":"Tree management, City of Courtenay","section":"Tree cutting permit fees","quotes":["Tree cutting permit (general): $100","Tree cutting permit (property over 4000m²): $500","Hazardous tree cutting permit: Free"]},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/fees-and-charges-bylaw-no-1673-consolidated-version-july-2026","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1673 (consolidated July 2026, PDF), City of Courtenay","section":"Tree Cutting & Removal Permit","quotes":["Single family lots equal to or under 4000m2 in size, or when only two trees are removed on any sized","Lots larger than 4000m2 and multi-lot","Hazardous tree removal"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"replacement":{"label":"Replacement trees","value":"Infill lot: count existing trees, plant a replacement tree, or pay $300 per tree into the Tree Planting and Replacement Reserve Fund. Security of $300 per replacement tree is held (returned one year after planting if healthy). Hazardous tree: 1 replacement per tree; protected species: 3 of the same species per tree.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/2850-tree-protection-bylaw","title":"Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 2850 (PDF), City of Courtenay","section":"ss. 9.1(a), 10.1, 10.2, 10.7","quotes":["by paying $300 into the Tree Planting and Replacement Reserve Fund for each","if the tree removed is hazardous, one replacement tree shall be required for every","for the removal of a protected species three replacements of the same species shall be","security in the amount of $300 for each tree to be planted and maintained.","one year from the date of planting"]},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/community-and-culture/environment-and-sustainability/tree-management","title":"Tree management, City of Courtenay","section":"Tree cutting permit fees","quotes":["Tree replacement bond (per tree): $300","Tree protection security bond (per tree): $1000"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"city_trees":{"label":"City trees","value":"Trees on City land, including parks, highways, boulevards, roads and lane allowances, are 'public trees' and count as protected trees, so cutting, removing or damaging one needs a Tree Cutting Permit.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/2850-tree-protection-bylaw","title":"Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 2850 (PDF), City of Courtenay","section":"ss. 3, 6.1","quotes":["“Public tree” means a tree of any size on land owned by or in the possession of the City, including,","No person shall cut, remove or carry out any tree damaging activities on a protected tree or","a) a public tree;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Municipal ticket: $1,000, or $750 if received by the City within 30 days of service. Applies to cutting or removing a protected tree without a permit, damaging one, or breaking permit terms. Pay or dispute within 14 days. Court fine up to $10,000.","short":"Ticket $1,000 ($750 if paid in 30 days)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/3185-municipal-enforcement-bylaw-no-3185pdf","title":"Municipal Enforcement Bylaw No. 3185 (PDF), City of Courtenay","section":"Appendix B (Municipal Tickets)","quotes":["TREE PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT BYLAW No. 2850, 2027","Cutting or removal of tree on 6.1 $1000.00 $750.00","Failure to comply with terms of permit 6.1 $1000.00 $750.00","If received by the City on or before the 30th day from the date on which the municipal ticket is served, the discounted penalty"]},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/2850-tree-protection-bylaw","title":"Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 2850 (PDF), City of Courtenay","section":"s. 19.1","quotes":["up to $10,000 as determined by the court pursuant to an Offence Act proceeding."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 2850, 2016","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/2850-tree-protection-bylaw","title":"Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 2850 (PDF), City of Courtenay","section":"s. 1","quotes":["This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as “Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 2850, 2016”"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":7,"stated":7,"matched":7,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\n[Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 2850](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/2850-tree-protection-bylaw) requires a Tree Cutting Permit before you remove a protected tree or any tree over 20 cm in diameter at breast height. This applies on any greenfield property (over 4,000 m²), and on an infill property (under 4,000 m²) when removal would leave it below the tree density target. Cutting limbs of 10 cm or more from a protected species also needs one. The City's Tree Bylaw map shows the trees needed for each property.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Look up your lot on the Tree Bylaw map.\n2. Check whether the tree is protected or over 20 cm across.\n3. Apply online with an arborist report. Emergency removals must be applied for within 24 hours, with photos.\n4. Pay the fee, then replant or pay as required.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Protected species (over 0.5 m tall): Garry oak, Pacific dogwood, western white pine, Pacific yew, trembling aspen and arbutus. Protected trees also include trees in a Riparian Assessment Area or environmentally sensitive area, on slopes of 30% or more, and public trees. The City says permits for protected species are only approved in special cases.\n- Public trees (on parks, highways, boulevards, roads and lane allowances) are protected too; cutting or damaging one needs a permit.\n- Not covered: pruning non-protected species properly, orchards and nurseries, and trees certified in writing as interfering with sewers, drains, water lines, septic fields or power lines.\n- Replacement on an infill lot: plant a tree or pay $300 per tree into the Tree Planting and Replacement Reserve Fund. Security of $300 per replacement tree is held and returned one year after planting if healthy. Greenfield: 3 replacements per tree removed.\n- A hazard tree still needs a permit but has no fee; a protected-species hazard tree needs 3 same-species replacements.\n- Fine: a municipal ticket is $1,000, or $750 if received within 30 days of service (see [Bylaw 3185](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/3185-municipal-enforcement-bylaw-no-3185pdf)). Each tree is a separate offence; court fines go up to $10,000. The City's ticket page says to respond within 14 days.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/community-and-culture/environment-and-sustainability/tree-management","title":"Tree management, City of Courtenay","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/2850-tree-protection-bylaw","title":"Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 2850 (PDF), City of Courtenay","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/fees-and-charges-bylaw-no-1673-consolidated-version-july-2026","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1673 (consolidated July 2026, PDF), City of Courtenay","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/3185-municipal-enforcement-bylaw-no-3185pdf","title":"Municipal Enforcement Bylaw No. 3185 (PDF), City of Courtenay","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/tree-removal/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/tree-removal.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/tree-removal.json"}}