{"title":"Highlands tree removal rules and permits","question":"Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property in Highlands?","slug":"tree-removal","place":{"path":"ca/bc/highlands","name":"Highlands","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":"District of Highlands","url":"https://www.highlands.ca"},"short_answer":"In the District of Highlands you need a tree cutting permit for protected species, large trees, trees near lot lines, roads, creeks and lakes, and some steep-slope cutting. It costs $25 for each 50 trees or portion thereof. Hazardous trees get a permit at no charge.","aliases":["tree cutting permit highlands","cut down tree highlands","tree bylaw highlands","protected trees highlands"],"cost":"$25 for each 50 trees or portion thereof. No charge for a permit for a hazardous tree or work ordered under section 12 of the bylaw.","how_long":"The District's pages and bylaw do not state a processing time.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Building Official / Bylaw Enforcement Officer","value":"250-474-1773"},{"type":"email","label":"Building Official","value":"cleek@highlands.ca"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Municipal Hall","value":"1980 Millstream Road, Victoria, BC V9B 6H1"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Tree Management, District of Highlands","url":"https://www.highlands.ca/sustainability-and-climate-action/tree-management"},{"title":"Tree Cutting Permit application (PDF)","url":"https://www.highlands.ca/sites/31/files/2025-05/Tree%20Cutting%20Permit%20FILLABLE%202025.pdf"},{"title":"Tree Management Bylaw No. 10 (PDF)","url":"https://www.highlands.ca/media/1417"}],"related":[{"slug":"bylaw-fines","title":"Highlands bylaw fines and how tickets work","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/bylaw-fines/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Highlands zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Highlands building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/building-permit/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/langford","name":"Langford","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/view-royal","name":"View Royal","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/central-saanich","name":"Central Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/colwood","name":"Colwood","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/esquimalt","name":"Esquimalt","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/saanich","name":"Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/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 needed for: protected trees (Garry oak, arbutus, Pacific dogwood, yew, cascara, manzanita, Douglas fir over 60 cm, any tree over 80 cm across); trees within 20 m of a road or trail lot line or 10 m of other lot lines; trees near creeks and lakes; more than 2 trees a year on a slope over 30%; logging. Development permit areas may also apply.","short":"Yes, for protected trees and near lot lines","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.highlands.ca/media/1417","title":"Tree Management Bylaw No. 10, 1994 (PDF)","section":"s. 1(i), 3, 5, 6, 7","quotes":["No person shall, without first obtaining a tree cutting permit, cut down a","within 20 metres of any lot line adjacent to or abutting a highway or road, or trail, right-of-way; or","within 10 metres of any other lot line.","within 30 metres of the natural boundary of Millstream Creek or within 15","cut down more than 2 trees in any one calendar year growing on any steep slope","A Douglas Fir tree (Pseudotsuga menziesii), having a diameter greater than 60 centimetres (24 inches)."]},{"url":"https://www.highlands.ca/sustainability-and-climate-action/tree-management","title":"Tree Management, District of Highlands","section":"Tree Cutting Permits","quotes":["A tree cutting permit is necessary when removing a protected tree or any tree located near a watercourse, lake, or steep slope area."]},{"url":"https://www.highlands.ca/sites/31/files/2025-02/277%20-%20OCP%202007_Consolidated_Schedule%20A_to%20Bylaw%20418_202501131717224860.pdf","title":"https://www.highlands.ca/sites/31/files/2025-02/277%20-%20OCP%202007_Consolidated_Schedule%20A_to%20Bylaw%20418_202501131717224860.pdf","section":"OCP s. 11.2 Development Permit Areas - General","quotes":["In Highlands, Development Permits are obtained at the same time as other permits such as tree cutting,"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"exemptions":{"label":"Exemptions","value":"Emergency: a tree or limb severely damaged by a natural cause and in imminent danger of falling and injuring persons or property may be cut without a permit. Dead, dying, unstable or dangerous trees, and trees too near utility wires, can get a permit at no charge. 'Logging' excludes cutting up to 3 trees per 0.4 ha in 12 months and dead, diseased or damaged trees. Trees blocking a watercourse are exempt from the watercourse buffer rule.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.highlands.ca/media/1417","title":"Tree Management Bylaw No. 10, 1994 (PDF)","section":"s. 14, 13 and 1(g)","quotes":["a person may cut down a tree or limb of a tree prohibited from removal under this by-law if:","There shall be no charge for a permit issued under this section.","The cutting down of trees which are dead, diseased or damaged by a natural cause.","except where a tree or the roots of a tree are blocking a watercourse or reducing its drainage capacity."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"fee":{"label":"Fee","value":"$25 for each 50 trees or portion thereof. No charge for a permit for a hazardous tree or work ordered under section 12.","short":"$25 for each 50 trees or portion","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.highlands.ca/media/1417","title":"Tree Management Bylaw No. 10, 1994 (PDF)","section":"s. 10(a), 12(e), 13(b)","quotes":["The fee shall be $25.00 for each 50 trees or portion thereof except as otherwise permitted in this bylaw.","there shall be no application fee charged."]},{"url":"https://www.highlands.ca/sites/31/files/2025-05/Tree%20Cutting%20Permit%20FILLABLE%202025.pdf","title":"Tree Cutting Permit application (PDF)","section":"Form A","quotes":["Application fee ($25 for each 50 trees or portion thereof"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"replacement":{"label":"Replacement trees","value":"A person who cuts or damages a tree against the bylaw or a permit must plant a replacement of the same species near the same spot, maintain it, and give security of 120% of the cost of replacing and maintaining it for 3 years. Steep-slope permits may need a geotechnical report and a surety of 120% of the works.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.highlands.ca/media/1417","title":"Tree Management Bylaw No. 10, 1994 (PDF)","section":"s. 15 and s. 11(b)","quotes":["Plant a replacement tree of the same species in approximately the same","Provide to the municipality security in the amount of 120% of the total","the applicant provides to the municipality a surety deposit or bond in favour of the municipality in the amount of 120% of the cost of the works"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"city_trees":{"label":"City trees","value":"No person other than authorized District staff may, without a Council resolution, dig up or injure or destroy any tree, flower, foliage or shrubbery on a road right-of-way. In parks, removing natural park features needs written permission from the Chief Administrative Officer.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.highlands.ca/media/1448","title":"Roads and Traffic Bylaw No. 300 (PDF)","section":"s. 6.25 (Roads and Traffic Bylaw No. 300)","quotes":["No person other than a duly authorized officer or employee of the District","acting in pursuance of his/her duties shall without the authority of a resolution","of the Council dig up or in any manner injure or destroy any tree, flower,"]},{"url":"https://www.highlands.ca/media/1635","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 478 (PDF)","section":"Appendix 4","quotes":["Damage tree/ flower/ foliage shrubbery 6.25 $200.00"]},{"url":"https://www.highlands.ca/media/1594","title":"Parks Management Bylaw No. 470, 2025 (PDF)","section":"Parks Management Bylaw No. 470, 2025, s. 7(a)","quotes":["shall remove any natural park feature or engage in excavation, digging, cutting, or any other"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw notice (Bylaw 475): no tree cutting permit $200 ($160 if paid within 14 days, $240 after 28 days); logging without permit $500 ($400 / $600); cutting in the 20 m buffer or on a steep slope $200. Municipal ticket (Bylaw 478): $200 for no permit; $1,000 for the 10 m buffer, watercourse or lake buffer, environmental protection area or against a development permit.","short":"Notice $200 ($160 if paid in 14 days); ticket $200","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.highlands.ca/media/1623","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 475, 2025 (PDF)","section":"Schedule A, Tree Management Bylaw","quotes":["No tree cutting permit 3(a) $200.00 $160.00 $240.00","Logging without tree cutting permit 3(d)(i) $500.00 $400.00 $600.00","Cut down tree in 20 metre buffer 3(e)(i) $200.00 $160.00 $240.00","Tree cutting on steep slope 7(a) $200.00 $160.00 $240.00"]},{"url":"https://www.highlands.ca/media/1635","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 478 (PDF)","section":"Appendix 12","quotes":["No tree cutting permit 3(a) $200.00","Cut down tree in 10 metre buffer 3(e)(ii) $1000.00","Cut down tree in watercourse buffer area 5 $1000.00","Cut down tree in lake buffer area 6 $1000.00","Cut down tree in environmental protection area 3(b) $1000.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"District of Highlands Tree Management Bylaw No. 10, 1994","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.highlands.ca/media/1417","title":"Tree Management Bylaw No. 10, 1994 (PDF)","section":"Title and s. 19","quotes":["DISTRICT OF HIGHLANDS TREE MANAGEMENT BYLAW NO. 10, 1994","It includes amendments up to October 15, 2001 (Bylaw No. 167)"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":7,"stated":7,"matched":7,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe District regulates tree cutting under its [Tree Management Bylaw No. 10](https://www.highlands.ca/media/1417). A tree is 5 m or more tall or 10 cm or more in diameter. You need a permit to cut:\n\n- protected trees: Garry oak, arbutus, Pacific dogwood, yew, cascara, manzanita, Douglas fir over 60 cm, and any tree over 80 cm across;\n- trees within 20 m of a road or trail lot line, or 10 m of other lot lines;\n- trees near creeks and lakes (the lake buffer is 30 m for Teanook, Matson, Fizzle, Fork, Eagles, Mitchell, Second, Third and Pease Lakes, and 15 m for others);\n- more than 2 trees a year on a slope over 30%;\n- logging.\n\nTrees on the Significant Tree list (Schedule A of the bylaw) cannot be cut. Cutting in a development permit area also needs a development permit.\n\nAn emergency exemption applies to a tree or limb severely damaged by a natural cause and in imminent danger of falling and injuring persons or property. Dead, dying, unstable or dangerous trees, and trees too near utility wires, can get a permit at no charge. \"Logging\" excludes cutting up to 3 trees per 0.4 ha in 12 months and dead, diseased or damaged trees.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check whether your tree is protected or within a buffer, and whether you are in a development permit area.\n2. Fill out the Tree Cutting Permit application and submit it to the District.\n3. Pay the fee. If a permit is not issued, the part of the fee over $25 is refunded.\n4. Cut only once the permit is issued.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Anyone who cuts or damages a tree against the bylaw or a permit must plant a replacement of the same species near the same spot, maintain it, and give security of 120% of the cost of replacing and maintaining it for 3 years.\n- A bylaw notice for no tree cutting permit is $200 ($160 if paid within 14 days, $240 after 28 days); logging without a permit is $500 ($400 or $600). A municipal ticket for no permit is $200, and $1,000 for the 10 m buffer, watercourse or lake buffer, environmental protection area or against a development permit. The bylaw allows a fine of up to $10,000 on conviction.\n- On District roads, only authorized District staff may, without a Council resolution, dig up or injure or destroy any tree, flower, foliage or shrubbery on a road right-of-way. In parks, removing natural park features needs written permission from the Chief Administrative Officer.\n- The page says a permit may still be needed for dead or dying trees under the bylaw, a development permit area or a land title covenant.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.highlands.ca/sustainability-and-climate-action/tree-management","title":"Tree Management, District of Highlands","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.highlands.ca/media/1417","title":"Tree Management Bylaw No. 10, 1994 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.highlands.ca/sites/31/files/2025-05/Tree%20Cutting%20Permit%20FILLABLE%202025.pdf","title":"Tree Cutting Permit application (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.highlands.ca/media/1635","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 478 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.highlands.ca/media/1623","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 475, 2025 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.highlands.ca/media/1448","title":"Roads and Traffic Bylaw No. 300 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.highlands.ca/media/1594","title":"Parks Management Bylaw No. 470, 2025 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.highlands.ca/sites/31/files/2025-02/277%20-%20OCP%202007_Consolidated_Schedule%20A_to%20Bylaw%20418_202501131717224860.pdf","title":"https://www.highlands.ca/sites/31/files/2025-02/277%20-%20OCP%202007_Consolidated_Schedule%20A_to%20Bylaw%20418_202501131717224860.pdf","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 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/tree-removal/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/tree-removal.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/tree-removal.json"}}