Highlands tree removal rules and permits

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

Highlands, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

How it works

The District regulates tree cutting under its Tree Management Bylaw No. 10. A tree is 5 m or more tall or 10 cm or more in diameter. You need a permit to cut:

• protected trees: Garry oak, arbutus, Pacific dogwood, yew, cascara, manzanita, Douglas fir over 60 cm, and 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 (the lake buffer is 30 m for Teanook, Matson, Fizzle, Fork, Eagles, Mitchell, Second, Third and Pease Lakes, and 15 m for others);
• more than 2 trees a year on a slope over 30%;
• logging.

Trees on the Significant Tree list (Schedule A of the bylaw) cannot be cut. Cutting in a development permit area also needs a development permit.

An 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.

Steps

1. Check whether your tree is protected or within a buffer, and whether you are in a development permit area.
2. Fill out the Tree Cutting Permit application and submit it to the District.
3. Pay the fee. If a permit is not issued, the part of the fee over $25 is refunded.
4. Cut only once the permit is issued.

Good to know

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.