---
title: Hope tree removal rules and permits
question: "Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property in Hope?"
place: Hope, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/hope
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Hope
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/tree-removal/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/tree-removal.json"
---

# Hope tree removal rules and permits

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

**Short answer:** Yes, in Hope, cutting a tree with a trunk over 20 cm across (measured 90 cm above ground) needs a tree cutting permit from the Municipal Engineer, unless an exemption applies. A fee applies; the amount in the posted 1995 bylaw scan is unreadable, so ask the District.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Hope, https://www.hope.ca)  
**Cost:** A non-refundable application fee applies, plus a security deposit. The fee amount cannot be read in the posted scan; ask the District at 604-869-5671.  
**How long:** Not stated. A permit lapses if cutting and replanting are not substantially done within one year.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Municipal Hall, 604-869-5671
- Phone: Operations Department (boulevard and street trees), 604-869-2333
- In person: Municipal Hall, 325 Wallace Street, Hope, BC V0X 1L0

## Key facts

- **When a permit is needed:** Cutting any tree (trunk over 20 cm / 8 in across, measured 90 cm above ground) needs a tree cutting permit from the Municipal Engineer, unless exempt. No exemption applies within 5 m of a stream or ravine bank top or on slopes steeper than 2:1. The OCP riparian development permit area (within 30 m of water) also covers removing vegetation.
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw No. 20/95, s. 4(a), s. 2 "Tree", s. 3](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86938/0914treeprotectionbylawno09142095signed_mTiqTD.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No person shall cut any tree in the District without first applying" … "for a tree cutting permit as required under this bylaw." … "of the bank of all stream courses or ravines, and trees on steep slopes with" … "grades in excess of 2 horizontal to 1 vertical" … "With the exception of trees within 5 m,measured horizontally from the top"
  - Source: [Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1617, OCP s. 19.5](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/146850/1617%20-%20Official%20Community%20Plan%20Bylaw%20%28website%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "obtained on lands within 30 metres of rivers," … "Removal or disruption of vegetation"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Exemptions:** Exempt, except within 5 m of a stream or ravine bank or on slopes steeper than 2:1: lots up to 0.5 ha that could not be subdivided; dead, diseased, damaged or hazardous trees; pruning; removal of 2% or less of a property's trees; tree farms; municipal parks.
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw No. 20/95, s. 3(a) to (i)](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86938/0914treeprotectionbylawno09142095signed_mTiqTD.pdf)
  - Official wording: "which are without sufficient lot area to create" … "two or more new lots within the requirements of the existing" … "are greater than 0.5 ha in area" … "removal or pruning of dead, diseased or damaged trees or the" … "removal of hazardous trees or branches by standard arboricultural" … "or less of all trees on a property are being removed" … "lands classed as tree farms by the British Columbia Assessment" … "With the exception of trees within 5 m,measured horizontally from the top"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** A non-refundable application fee applies (a base fee plus an amount for each tree to be removed). The amounts in the posted 1995 bylaw scan cannot be read reliably, so confirm the current fee with the District, 604-869-5671.
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw No. 20/95, s. 8](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86938/0914treeprotectionbylawno09142095signed_mTiqTD.pdf)
  - Official wording: "refundable application fee shall be paid, as follows:" … "25.00, plus $20" … "per tree proposed to be removed."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Replacement trees:** A security deposit (cash or irrevocable letter of credit) of 100% of the value of replacement trees and site restoration the District requires, with 10% held back for one year after the permit expires. Trees cut without a permit must be replaced two for one, at least 4 m tall (conifers) or 8 cm trunk diameter (deciduous).
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw No. 20/95, s. 9, s. 12](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86938/0914treeprotectionbylawno09142095signed_mTiqTD.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The amount of the security deposit shall be 100%" … "holdback of the value of all restoration" … "replanting is required at a ratio of two replacement trees for" … "the minimum size of replacement trees shall be a height of" … "4.0 m for conifers and a trunk diameter of 8.0 cm measured"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **City trees:** None set. The District's tree bylaw has no rule for boulevard or street trees.
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice: $500 ($400 if paid within 14 days; a $100 late surcharge is added if paid more than 28 days after receipt). Municipal ticket: $1,000.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1627, 2026, Schedule A, s. 5](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/136112/1627%20-%20Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%20%28website%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Tree Protection Bylaw No. 20/95 $500.00 $400.00 $100.00 Yes" … "The early payment penalty set out in column A2 of Schedule" … "if payment is received more than 28 days after a person has received"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1628, 2026, Schedule A](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/136113/1628%20-%20Municipal%20Ticket%20Information%20Bylaw%20%28website%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Tree Protection Bylaw No. 20/95 $1,000.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Tree Protection Bylaw, 1995, Bylaw No. 20/95
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw No. 20/95, Title](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86938/0914treeprotectionbylawno09142095signed_mTiqTD.pdf)
  - Official wording: "t DIS'RICT OF HOPE TREE PROTECTION BYLAW,1995 Bylaw No. 20/95 WHEREAS Section 929 of the Municipal Act provides that Council may, by"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The [Tree Protection Bylaw No. 20/95](<https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86938/0914treeprotectionbylawno09142095signed_mTiqTD.pdf>) requires a tree cutting permit from the Municipal Engineer before you cut any tree with a trunk over 20 cm (8 in) across, measured 90 cm above the ground, unless it is exempt. The posted bylaw is a 1995 scan, and some of its text is unclear, so confirm details with the District.

Exemptions: lots up to 0.5 ha that could not be subdivided; dead, diseased, damaged or hazardous trees; pruning; removal of 2% or less of a property's trees; tree farms; and municipal parks. None of these applies within 5 m of a stream or ravine bank top, or on slopes steeper than 2:1. The Official Community Plan's riparian development permit area (within 30 m of rivers, streams, lakes and wetlands) also covers removing vegetation.

## Steps

1. Call 604-869-5671 to ask whether your tree is exempt and what the fee is.
2. If a permit is needed, apply and pay the non-refundable application fee. A security deposit (cash or irrevocable letter of credit) is also required.
3. Replant as the permit requires.

## Good to know

- The deposit is 100% of the value of the replacement trees and site restoration the District requires, with 10% held back for one year after the permit expires.
- Trees cut without a permit must be replaced two for one, at least 4 m tall (conifers) or 8 cm trunk diameter (deciduous).
- Where no subdivision is planned, no trees may be removed within 5 m of an interior lot line or 10 m of an exterior lot line, except for driveway access and services.
- Fines: a bylaw notice is $500 ($400 if paid within 14 days; a $100 late surcharge applies after 28 days); a municipal ticket is $1,000.
- The bylaw has no rule for boulevard or street trees. Ask Operations at 604-869-2333.

## Official forms and pages

- [Tree Protection Bylaw No. 20/95 (PDF, scanned)](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86938/0914treeprotectionbylawno09142095signed_mTiqTD.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Hope zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Hope secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/secondary-suite.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)
- [Harrison Hot Springs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/harrison-hot-springs/tree-removal.md)
- [Chilliwack](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/tree-removal.md)
- [Princeton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/princeton/tree-removal.md)
- [Abbotsford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/tree-removal.md)
- [Mission](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mission/tree-removal.md)

## Sources

- [Staff Directory - Hope, BC](https://hope.ca/staff-directory) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Tree Protection Bylaw No. 20/95 (PDF), District of Hope](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86938/0914treeprotectionbylawno09142095signed_mTiqTD.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1617 (PDF), District of Hope](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/146850/1617%20-%20Official%20Community%20Plan%20Bylaw%20%28website%29.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1627, 2026 (PDF), District of Hope](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/136112/1627%20-%20Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%20%28website%29.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1628, 2026 (PDF), District of Hope](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/136113/1628%20-%20Municipal%20Ticket%20Information%20Bylaw%20%28website%29.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 7 facts was matched to the official text; 1 is recorded as not set. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of Hope. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/tree-removal/_