{"title":"Fraser Lake tree removal rules and permits","question":"Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property in Fraser Lake?","slug":"tree-removal","place":{"path":"ca/bc/fraser-lake","name":"Fraser Lake","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":"Village of Fraser Lake","url":"https://www.fraserlake.ca"},"short_answer":"In Fraser Lake you need a Village permit to cut and dispose of any tree more than 10 cm in diameter, measured 1.4 m above the ground, on private or Village land. Trees 10 cm or less are exempt. The Village may require replacement trees.","aliases":["cut down tree fraser lake","tree bylaw fraser lake","tree cutting permit fraser lake","remove tree permit fraser lake"],"cost":"No tree permit fee appears in the Village's Fees and Charges bylaw or on its Tree Cutting Permit page.","how_long":"The bylaw and web page do not state a processing time.","where":[{"type":"online","label":"Tree Cutting Permit page","value":"https://www.fraserlake.ca/node/529"},{"type":"phone","label":"Village of Fraser Lake office","value":"250-699-6257","note":"Weekdays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m."}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Bylaw 852, Tree Bylaw (PDF)","url":"https://www.fraserlake.ca/media/345"},{"title":"Tree Cutting Permit, Village of Fraser Lake","url":"https://www.fraserlake.ca/node/529"}],"related":[{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Fraser Lake zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fraser-lake/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Fraser Lake building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fraser-lake/building-permit/"},{"slug":"unsightly-property","title":"Fraser Lake unsightly property rules and how to report","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fraser-lake/unsightly-property/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/vanderhoof","name":"Vanderhoof","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vanderhoof/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/fort-st-james","name":"Fort St James","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-james/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/houston","name":"Houston","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/houston/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/prince-george","name":"Prince George","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-george/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/telkwa","name":"Telkwa","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/telkwa/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/smithers","name":"Smithers","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/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 permit is required to cut and dispose of any tree more than 10 cm in diameter (measured 1.4 m above the ground) on land under the Village's jurisdiction, and for any replacement tree. In the OCP development permit areas, removing vegetation also needs a development permit.","short":"Yes, for trees more than 10 cm in diameter","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fraserlake.ca/media/345","title":"Bylaw 852, Tree Bylaw (PDF)","section":"ss. 1.3, 2.1, 3.3(b)","quotes":["a permit is required for the cutting and disposal of","any Tree with a diameter greater than 10 centimetres or any Replacement Tree","This bylaw applies to all lands under the jurisdiction of the Village."]},{"url":"https://www.fraserlake.ca/node/529","title":"Tree Cutting Permit, Village of Fraser Lake","section":"Tree Cutting Permit page","quotes":["Fraser Lake requires a permit to cut any tree greater than 10cm in diameter at 1.4m above the ground, except in case of an emergency."]},{"url":"https://www.fraserlake.ca/media/419","title":"Official Community Plan, Village of Fraser Lake (PDF)","section":"Part 6, Applicable Activities","quotes":["A development permit is required for any development occurring on land within the DPAs","The removal, alteration, disruption or destruction of vegetation."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"exemptions":{"label":"Exemptions","value":"No permit for trees 10 cm or less in diameter; an emergency cut of a tree severely damaged by natural causes and in imminent danger of falling (disposal may still need a permit); Village staff duties; where a Development Approval is in place; some utility work. Hazard trees get a permit without applying.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fraserlake.ca/media/345","title":"Bylaw 852, Tree Bylaw (PDF)","section":"ss. 3.2, 4.1(c)","quotes":["must be cut down on an emergency basis because it has been severely","A permit is not required where a Development Approval from the Village is in place.","a permit to cut the Tree will be","issued without any application.","must be cut down on an emergency basis because it has been severely damaged by natural causes and poses an imminent danger of falling","disposal of the Tree may require a permit under this Bylaw","a permit is required for the cutting and disposal of any Tree with a diameter greater than 10 centimetres or any Replacement Tree"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"fee":{"label":"Fee","value":null,"status":"unknown","reason":"not_found","sources":[]},"replacement":{"label":"Replacement trees","value":"The Village may require replacement trees: 2:1 for permitted cutting and 3:1 for unpermitted cutting, unless waived. Replacements must be at least 2 m tall or 7 cm in diameter and replaced if they die within one year.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fraserlake.ca/media/345","title":"Bylaw 852, Tree Bylaw (PDF)","section":"s. 4.2","quotes":["At a ratio of 3:1 for the unpermitted cutting of or damage to any Tree","At a ratio of 2:1 for any permitted cutting of Trees","At least 2 metres tall and/or have a diameter of 7 centimetres.","Replacement Trees that die within one year of being planted"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"city_trees":{"label":"City trees","value":"Cutting, damaging or disposing of a tree on Village property can mean replacement trees at the person's expense, plus a bylaw notice ($500).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fraserlake.ca/media/345","title":"Bylaw 852, Tree Bylaw (PDF)","section":"s. 4.2(h)","quotes":["If a person cuts, damages, or disposes of a Tree on Village property, the","Village may require"]},{"url":"https://www.fraserlake.ca/media/566","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Schedule A (PDF)","section":"Schedule A, Bylaw 852","quotes":["4.2(h) Cutting or otherwise damaging $500 $450 $500 No"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw notice: cutting or damaging a tree over 10 cm without a permit $300 ($150 early; $500 late). Cutting a replacement tree $400 ($300; $500).","short":"Notice $300 ($150 early; $500 late)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fraserlake.ca/media/566","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Schedule A (PDF)","section":"Schedule A, Bylaw 852","quotes":["3.3(b) Cutting or otherwise damaging $300 $150 $500 No","3.3(b) Cutting or otherwise damaging $400 $300 $500 No"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Bylaw 852, Tree Bylaw","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fraserlake.ca/media/345","title":"Bylaw 852, Tree Bylaw (PDF)","section":"s. 1.1","quotes":["This bylaw may be cited as “Bylaw 852, Tree Bylaw”."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":7,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":0,"unknown":1},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe [Bylaw 852, Tree Bylaw](https://www.fraserlake.ca/media/345) applies to private land and Village land. A permit is required to cut and dispose of any tree more than 10 cm in diameter (measured 1.4 m above the ground), and for any replacement tree. In the Official Community Plan development permit areas, removing vegetation also needs a development permit.\n\nNo permit is needed for:\n- trees 10 cm or less in diameter;\n- an emergency cut of a tree severely damaged by natural causes and in imminent danger of falling (disposal may still need a permit);\n- Village staff duties, or where a Development Approval is in place;\n- some utility work.\n\nHazard trees get a permit without applying.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Measure the trunk 1.4 m above the ground.\n2. If it is more than 10 cm across, see the [Tree Cutting Permit page](https://www.fraserlake.ca/node/529) or call the Village office at 250-699-6257.\n3. If the Village requires replacement trees, plant them within one year and send photos to the Village within 30 days.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Replacement trees: the Village may require 2 for each tree cut with a permit and 3 for each cut without one, unless waived. Each must be at least 2 m tall or 7 cm in diameter, and be replaced if it dies within one year.\n- A bylaw notice for cutting or damaging a tree over 10 cm without a permit is $300 ($150 if paid early, $500 if late). Cutting a replacement tree is $400 ($300 early, $500 late).\n- Cutting, damaging or disposing of a tree on Village property can mean replacement trees at the person's expense plus a bylaw notice of $500.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fraserlake.ca/media/345","title":"Bylaw 852, Tree Bylaw (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.fraserlake.ca/node/529","title":"Tree Cutting Permit, Village of Fraser Lake","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.fraserlake.ca/media/419","title":"Official Community Plan, Village of Fraser Lake (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.fraserlake.ca/media/566","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Schedule A (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.fraserlake.ca/contact","title":"Contact, Village of Fraser Lake","accessed":"2026-11-08"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-08","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 7 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fraser-lake/tree-removal/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fraser-lake/tree-removal.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fraser-lake/tree-removal.json"}}