Gibsons tree removal rules and permits

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

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

How it works

Under the Tree Preservation Bylaw 1282, on all land in the Town, private or public, a Tree Cutting Permit is needed to cut, remove or move a Protected Tree. That means:

• any tree 30 cm DBH (diameter at breast height) or more;
• listed species (for example arbutus, Garry oak, Douglas fir, western red cedar, bigleaf maple) at 20 cm or more;
• any tree 10 cm or more on sloping terrain;
• trees with protected nests, and certain seedlings.

Every tree on Town-owned land, including parks, boulevards, roads and lanes, is protected. Nobody may plant a tree or hedge on Town land without the Director's written authorization.

No permit is needed where a DPA 1 or 2 development permit addresses the removal, or for normal pruning under sound arboricultural practice. An owner may cut a tree in imminent danger of falling first, but may not remove it from the lot until the Director confirms the danger.

Steps

1. Check the tree's size and species against the list above.
2. Apply online through Cloudpermit (the link is on the Town's tree removal page). Questions go to infrastructure@gibsons.ca.
3. Pay the $50 fee, unless the tree is hazardous, dead, dying or unstable.
4. Plant the replacement trees and provide the security.

Good to know

• Replacement on single-family lots: 2 trees for each protected tree 20 to 30 cm DBH, 3 for each tree 30 cm or more. Other lots: 2 per tree. Lots in DPA 1 or 2 with a development permit: 3 native trees per tree. Security is $300 per replacement tree, released 24 months after planting if the tree is healthy. None is required for hazardous trees.
• The Town's page says "under 30 cm" where the bylaw says 20 to 30 cm.
• Fine: a bylaw notice is $400 for cutting a protected tree without a permit ($350 if paid early, $500 if late). In court, up to $5,000 plus costs, with a separate offence for each tree.
• Active bird nests are protected under the provincial Wildlife Act, per the Town's page.