---
title: Harrison Hot Springs tree removal rules and permits
question: "Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property in Harrison Hot Springs?"
place: Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/harrison-hot-springs
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: Village of Harrison Hot Springs
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/harrison-hot-springs/tree-removal/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/harrison-hot-springs/tree-removal.json"
---

# Harrison Hot Springs tree removal rules and permits

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

**Short answer:** In Harrison Hot Springs you apply to the Village to remove a tree 7.5 m or taller with a trunk 300 mm or more across. The application fee is $40. Removing one without a permit can be ticketed at $200 and you may have to plant replacement trees.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Village of Harrison Hot Springs, https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca)  
**Cost:** $40 non-refundable application fee, plus a report by a qualified person if the Village asks.  
**How long:** Not stated.  
**Where:**
- In person: Village Office, 495 Hot Springs Road, Harrison Hot Springs, BC V0M 1K0 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- Phone: Village Office, 604-796-2171

## Key facts

- **When a permit is needed:** Owners apply to the Village to remove a "tree" (a living woody plant 7.5 m or taller with a trunk 300 mm or more across, measured 1.3 m above the ground). Removal is allowed on application for stated reasons (too dense, roots damaging buildings or sidewalks, too close to a building, dying or hazardous in a qualified person's opinion, in a new building envelope, or with Village approval). "Distinct trees" (for example Douglas fir over 100 cm across) can be removed only if there is no reasonable alternative.
  - Source: [Tree Management and Preservation Bylaw No. 1015, 2012, s. 2 and 5](https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/sites/default/files/2021-10/BYL-1015_tree_management_and_preservation.pdf)
  - Official wording: "a) is 7.5 metres or more in height; and" … "has a trunk diameter of 300 millimetres or more measured in accordance" … "As necessary, and on application to the Village, Owners may remove trees" … "Distinct trees” may only be removed if there are no other reasonable"
  - Source: [Licences & Permits, Licences & Permits page](https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/services/licences-permits)
  - Official wording: "If you wish to cut or trim a tree, or install a sign or street banner, an application must be submitted to the Village Office for approval."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Exemptions:** Trees smaller than the bylaw definition (under 7.5 m tall or under 300 mm trunk diameter) are not covered. Removing hazardous trees is allowed on application with a qualified person's opinion. The OCP says no development permit is needed to remove hazardous trees that endanger people or are likely to damage property.
  - Source: [Tree Management and Preservation Bylaw No. 1015, 2012, s. 2 and 5(b)(iv)](https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/sites/default/files/2021-10/BYL-1015_tree_management_and_preservation.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Where in the opinion of a qualified person, the tree is dying or" … "represents a danger or hazard to the property or adjoining"
  - Source: [Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1184 (PDF, consolidated to November 3, 2025), OCP s. 4.0(iii)](https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/sites/default/files/2026-10/Bylaw-1184---2022-Official-Community-Plan-%28Consolidated-to-Nov-3%2C-2025%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Removal of hazardous trees that present a danger to the safety of persons or are likely to damage public"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fee:** $40 non-refundable application fee, plus a report by a qualified person if the Village asks.
  - Source: [Tree Management and Preservation Bylaw No. 1015, 2012, s. 6(a)](https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/sites/default/files/2021-10/BYL-1015_tree_management_and_preservation.pdf)
  - Official wording: "amount of $40.00, and where requested by"
  - Source: [https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/sites/default/files/2021-10/tree_management_and_preservation_permit_application.pdf, Permit application form](https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/sites/default/files/2021-10/tree_management_and_preservation_permit_application.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Permit Fee Received $40.00 DATE:"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Replacement trees:** A person who removes a tree without a permit may be required to plant up to two trees for each tree removed, at least 25 mm in diameter and 2.0 m tall, in places and species the Village chooses.
  - Source: [Tree Management and Preservation Bylaw No. 1015, 2012, s. 7](https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/sites/default/files/2021-10/BYL-1015_tree_management_and_preservation.pdf)
  - Official wording: "provide no more than two trees for each tree removed." … "a minimum of 2.0 m tall"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **City trees:** No person may climb, bark, break, peel, cut, deface, remove, injure, root up or otherwise destroy or damage trees, shrubs, flowers, roots or grass in any public area, beach, boulevard, park or grounds (Park Regulation Bylaw No. 1150, s. 16). Public Works handles tree maintenance and removal on Village land. Ticket: $100.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 855 (PDF, consolidated April 2026), Schedule A](https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/sites/default/files/2026-04/Bylaw-855---Bylaw-Notice-Enforcement-Bylaw-%28Consolidated-%29-April-2026.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Bark, break, peel, cut, deface, remove, injure, root up or otherwise"
  - Source: [Public Works and Utilities, Public Works page](https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/village-office/departments/public-works-utilities)
  - Official wording: "including tree maintenance and removal"
  - Source: [Park Regulation Bylaw No. 1150 (PDF, consolidated), s. 16](https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/sites/default/files/2024-12/Bylaw-1150---Park-Regulation-%28CONSOLIDATED%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No person shall climb, bark, break, peel, cut, deface, remove, injure, root up or otherwise destroy or"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fine:** $200 ($190 early, $210 late) for removing a tree without a permit.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 855 (PDF, consolidated April 2026), Schedule A](https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/sites/default/files/2026-04/Bylaw-855---Bylaw-Notice-Enforcement-Bylaw-%28Consolidated-%29-April-2026.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Remove tree without permit 200.00 190.00 210.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Village of Harrison Hot Springs Tree Management and Preservation Bylaw No. 1015, 2012.
  - Source: [Tree Management and Preservation Bylaw No. 1015, 2012, s. 1](https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/sites/default/files/2021-10/BYL-1015_tree_management_and_preservation.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Tree Management and Preservation"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

The Village's [Tree Management and Preservation Bylaw No. 1015, 2012](https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/sites/default/files/2021-10/BYL-1015_tree_management_and_preservation.pdf) covers the whole Village. A "tree" is a living woody plant 7.5 m or taller with a trunk 300 mm or more across, measured 1.3 m above the ground. Owners apply to the Village to remove one.

Removal is allowed on application for stated reasons: too dense, roots damaging buildings or sidewalks, too close to a building, dying or hazardous in a qualified person's opinion, in a new building envelope, or with Village approval. "Distinct trees" (for example Douglas fir over 100 cm across) can be removed only if there is no reasonable alternative.

## Steps

1. Fill in the [Tree Management Permit Application](https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/sites/default/files/2021-10/Tree-Management-Permit-Application.pdf) and submit it to the Village Office with the $40 fee.
2. If the Village asks, provide a report by a qualified person.
3. Wait for approval before cutting.

## Good to know

- Trees under 7.5 m tall or under 300 mm across are not covered by the bylaw. It does not say whether a permit is needed for them; ask the Village (604-796-2171).
- Removing a hazardous tree is allowed on application with a qualified person's opinion.
- Without a permit: a $200 ticket ($190 if paid early, $210 if late), and you may have to plant up to two trees for each one removed, at least 25 mm across and 2.0 m tall, in places and species the Village chooses.
- You must also follow Ministry of Environment and Fisheries and Oceans Canada rules. The Official Community Plan's riparian protection area separately requires a permit for development.
- Village trees: no one may damage or remove trees in a public area, beach, boulevard or park (Park Regulation Bylaw 1150). The ticket is $100. Public Works handles trees on Village land.

## Official forms and pages

- [Tree Management and Preservation Bylaw No. 1015, 2012 (PDF), Village of Harrison Hot Springs](https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/sites/default/files/2021-10/BYL-1015_tree_management_and_preservation.pdf)
- [Tree Management Permit Application (PDF), Village of Harrison Hot Springs](https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/sites/default/files/2021-10/Tree-Management-Permit-Application.pdf)
- [Licences & Permits, Village of Harrison Hot Springs](https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/services/licences-permits)

## Related questions

- [Harrison Hot Springs zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/harrison-hot-springs/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Harrison Hot Springs building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/harrison-hot-springs/building-permit.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tree-removal.md)
- [Kent](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kent/tree-removal.md)
- [Chilliwack](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/tree-removal.md)
- [Hope](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/tree-removal.md)
- [Abbotsford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/tree-removal.md)
- [Mission](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mission/tree-removal.md)
- [Maple Ridge](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/tree-removal.md)

## Sources

- [Tree Management and Preservation Bylaw No. 1015, 2012 (PDF), Village of Harrison Hot Springs](https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/sites/default/files/2021-10/BYL-1015_tree_management_and_preservation.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Tree Management Permit Application (PDF), Village of Harrison Hot Springs](https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/sites/default/files/2021-10/Tree-Management-Permit-Application.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Licences & Permits, Village of Harrison Hot Springs](https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/services/licences-permits) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 855 (PDF, consolidated April 2026), Village of Harrison Hot Springs](https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/sites/default/files/2026-04/Bylaw-855---Bylaw-Notice-Enforcement-Bylaw-%28Consolidated-%29-April-2026.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Park Regulation Bylaw No. 1150 (PDF, consolidated), Village of Harrison Hot Springs](https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/sites/default/files/2024-12/Bylaw-1150---Park-Regulation-%28CONSOLIDATED%29.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Public Works and Utilities, Village of Harrison Hot Springs](https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/village-office/departments/public-works-utilities) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1184 (PDF, consolidated to November 3, 2025), Village of Harrison Hot Springs](https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/sites/default/files/2026-10/Bylaw-1184---2022-Official-Community-Plan-%28Consolidated-to-Nov-3%2C-2025%29.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/sites/default/files/2021-10/tree_management_and_preservation_permit_application.pdf](https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/sites/default/files/2021-10/tree_management_and_preservation_permit_application.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)

_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 Village of Harrison Hot Springs. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/harrison-hot-springs/tree-removal/_