---
title: Courtenay tree removal rules and permits
question: "Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property?"
place: Courtenay, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/courtenay
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Courtenay
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/tree-removal/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/tree-removal.json"
---

# Courtenay tree removal rules and permits

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

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Courtenay, https://www.courtenay.ca)  
**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.  
**Where:**
- Online: Tree cutting permit application, https://digitalsmartforms.ca/f/s.aspx?s=64334226-0DF8-4139-A768-008CF0D07604
- Online: Tree Bylaw map (lot size and trees required), https://courtenay.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=36b80ad823ac4c90994dd2ac09a3df3f
- Email: Planning, planning@courtenay.ca

## Key facts

- **When a permit is needed:** 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.
  - Source: [Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 2850, ss. 5.2, 5.3](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/2850-tree-protection-bylaw)
  - Official wording: "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;"
  - Source: [Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 2850, s. 3 definitions](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/2850-tree-protection-bylaw)
  - Official wording: "“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;"
  - Source: [Tree management, Do I need a tree cutting permit?](https://www.courtenay.ca/community-and-culture/environment-and-sustainability/tree-management)
  - Official wording: "You are removing trees of any size in environmentally sensitive areas (e.g., riparian areas)*."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Exemptions:** 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.
  - Source: [Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 2850, ss. 7.1, 7.2](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/2850-tree-protection-bylaw)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Tree management, Tree cutting permit fees](https://www.courtenay.ca/community-and-culture/environment-and-sustainability/tree-management)
  - Official wording: "Hazardous tree cutting permit: Free"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** $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.
  - Source: [Tree management, Tree cutting permit fees](https://www.courtenay.ca/community-and-culture/environment-and-sustainability/tree-management)
  - Official wording: "Tree cutting permit (general): $100" … "Tree cutting permit (property over 4000m²): $500" … "Hazardous tree cutting permit: Free"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1673 (consolidated July 2026, PDF), Tree Cutting & Removal Permit](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/fees-and-charges-bylaw-no-1673-consolidated-version-july-2026)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Replacement trees:** 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.
  - Source: [Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 2850, ss. 9.1(a), 10.1, 10.2, 10.7](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/2850-tree-protection-bylaw)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Tree management, Tree cutting permit fees](https://www.courtenay.ca/community-and-culture/environment-and-sustainability/tree-management)
  - Official wording: "Tree replacement bond (per tree): $300" … "Tree protection security bond (per tree): $1000"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **City trees:** 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.
  - Source: [Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 2850, ss. 3, 6.1](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/2850-tree-protection-bylaw)
  - Official wording: "“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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** 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.
  - Source: [Municipal Enforcement Bylaw No. 3185, Appendix B (Municipal Tickets)](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/3185-municipal-enforcement-bylaw-no-3185pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 2850, s. 19.1](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/2850-tree-protection-bylaw)
  - Official wording: "up to $10,000 as determined by the court pursuant to an Offence Act proceeding."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 2850, 2016
  - Source: [Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 2850, s. 1](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/2850-tree-protection-bylaw)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as “Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 2850, 2016”"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

[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.

## Steps

1. Look up your lot on the Tree Bylaw map.
2. Check whether the tree is protected or over 20 cm across.
3. Apply online with an arborist report. Emergency removals must be applied for within 24 hours, with photos.
4. Pay the fee, then replant or pay as required.

## Good to know

- 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.
- Public trees (on parks, highways, boulevards, roads and lane allowances) are protected too; cutting or damaging one needs a permit.
- 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.
- 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.
- A hazard tree still needs a permit but has no fee; a protected-species hazard tree needs 3 same-species replacements.
- 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.

## Official forms and pages

- [Tree management](https://www.courtenay.ca/community-and-culture/environment-and-sustainability/tree-management)
- [Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 2850 (PDF)](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/2850-tree-protection-bylaw)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1673 (consolidated July 2026, PDF)](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/fees-and-charges-bylaw-no-1673-consolidated-version-july-2026)

## Related questions

- [Courtenay secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/secondary-suite.md)
- [Courtenay building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/building-permit.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tree-removal.md)
- [Comox](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/tree-removal.md)
- [Cumberland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/tree-removal.md)
- [Powell River](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/powell-river/tree-removal.md)
- [Campbell River](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/tree-removal.md)
- [Port Alberni](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/tree-removal.md)
- [Qualicum Beach](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/tree-removal.md)

## Sources

- [Tree management, City of Courtenay](https://www.courtenay.ca/community-and-culture/environment-and-sustainability/tree-management) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 2850 (PDF), City of Courtenay](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/2850-tree-protection-bylaw) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1673 (consolidated July 2026, PDF), City of Courtenay](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/fees-and-charges-bylaw-no-1673-consolidated-version-july-2026) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Enforcement Bylaw No. 3185 (PDF), City of Courtenay](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/3185-municipal-enforcement-bylaw-no-3185pdf) (read 2026-11-05)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Courtenay. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/tree-removal/_