{"title":"Invermere tree removal rules and permits","question":"Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property in Invermere?","slug":"tree-removal","place":{"path":"ca/bc/invermere","name":"Invermere","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 Invermere","url":"https://invermere.net"},"short_answer":"In Invermere you need a permit under the Tree Removal Bylaw to cut a tree over 80 cm across, to log a parcel, near a lot line, road, watercourse or Windermere Lake, or more than 2 trees a year on slopes over 20%. The fee is $100 for each 50 trees or portion thereof.","aliases":["tree removal permit invermere","cut down tree invermere","tree bylaw invermere","tree cutting permit invermere"],"cost":"$100 for each 50 trees or portion thereof (bylaw s. 10(a)). No fee for dead, dying or unstable trees or a tree Council ordered cut as a hazard.","how_long":"The District does not state a processing time.","where":[{"type":"in_person","label":"Municipal Hall","value":"914 8th Avenue, Invermere, BC V0A 1K0","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m."},{"type":"phone","label":"District office","value":"250-342-9281"},{"type":"phone","label":"Planning (Director of Development Services)","value":"250-342-9281 ext. 1235"},{"type":"email","label":"Planning","value":"planning@invermere.net"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Tree Removal Bylaw No. 1347, 2007 (PDF)","url":"https://invermere.civicweb.net/document/135/"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Invermere building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/invermere/building-permit/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Invermere zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/invermere/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"bylaw-fines","title":"Invermere bylaw fines and how tickets work","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/invermere/bylaw-fines/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/radium-hot-springs","name":"Radium Hot Springs","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/radium-hot-springs/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/canal-flats","name":"Canal Flats","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/canal-flats/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/kaslo","name":"Kaslo","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kaslo/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/elkford","name":"Elkford","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/elkford/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/kimberley","name":"Kimberley","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kimberley/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/cranbrook","name":"Cranbrook","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cranbrook/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 permit is needed to cut a tree over 80 cm across, to log a parcel, within 20 m of a road or trail lot line or 10 m of any other lot line, within 30 m of a watercourse or Windermere Lake, or more than 2 trees a year on slopes over 20%. Cutting in Environmental Protection Areas or a significant tree is prohibited.","short":"Yes, for trees over 80 cm across; near lot lines","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://invermere.civicweb.net/document/135/","title":"Tree Removal Bylaw No. 1347, 2007 (PDF), District of Invermere","section":"ss. 4-7","quotes":["(a) No person shall, without first obtaining a tree cutting permit, cut down a protected","tree.","(b) No person shall cut down a tree growing on any land designated as an","(e) No person shall, without first obtaining a tree cutting permit, cut down any","i) within 20 metres of any lot line adjacent to or abutting a highway or","ii) within 10 metres of any other lot line.","No person shall, without first obtaining a tree cutting permit, cut down a tree growing within 30","No person shall cut down a tree, without first obtaining a tree cutting permit,","growing within 30 metres of the natural boundary of Windermere Lake.","than 2 trees in any one calendar year growing on any steep slope that is not","(c) No person shall cut down a tree shown as \"to be retained\" on a plan","(c) No person shall cut down a significant tree designated as such under","The owner of a tree which, pursuant to this Bylaw, may not be cut down"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"exemptions":{"label":"Exemptions","value":"A tree or limb severely damaged by a natural cause and in imminent danger of falling may be cut without a permit (s. 13). Dead, dying or unstable trees get a free permit (s. 12). Up to 3 trees per 0.4 ha in 12 months is not 'logging', but other rules still apply.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://invermere.civicweb.net/document/135/","title":"Tree Removal Bylaw No. 1347, 2007 (PDF), District of Invermere","section":"ss. 2(h), 12, 13","quotes":["i) The cutting down of not more than 3 trees in any .4 hectares (1 acre)","area of land in a parcel for any reason in any 12 month period, or","ii) The cutting down of trees which are dead, diseased or damaged by","Notwithstanding any other provision in this Bylaw, a person may cut down a tree or","The tree or limb of the tree has been severely damaged by a natural cause,","The tree or limb of the tree is in imminent danger of falling and injuring","(b) There shall be no charge for a permit issued under this section.","The cutting down of not more than 3 trees in any .4 hectares (1 acre)"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"fee":{"label":"Fee","value":"$100 for each 50 trees or portion thereof (s. 10(a)); if the permit is not issued, the part above $75 is refunded. No fee for a permit to remove a tree the Council ordered cut as a hazard, or for dead, dying or unstable trees.","short":"$100 for each 50 trees or portion","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://invermere.civicweb.net/document/135/","title":"Tree Removal Bylaw No. 1347, 2007 (PDF), District of Invermere","section":"ss. 10(a), 11(e), 12(b); Schedule A","quotes":["The fee shall be $100.00 for each","50 trees or portion thereof except as otherwise permitted in this bylaw. If a","$25.00 application fee [1996]","(e) Where a tree cutting permit is required to carry out work required under this","section there shall be no application fee charged."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"},"sources_differ":"The bylaw's s. 10(a) says $100 per 50 trees, but its own Schedule A application form still lists a $25.00 application fee dated [1996]. The current Fees and Charges Bylaw (Schedules A to G, as amended) lists no tree permit fee. Value follows the bylaw text."},"replacement":{"label":"Replacement trees","value":"Anyone who cuts or damages a tree in breach of the bylaw or a permit must plant a replacement of the same species in about the same place, maintain it, and give security of 120% of the cost of replacing and maintaining it for 3 years.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://invermere.civicweb.net/document/135/","title":"Tree Removal Bylaw No. 1347, 2007 (PDF), District of Invermere","section":"s. 14","quotes":["In addition to any other remedy, any person who cuts down or damages a tree in","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 cost","of replacing and maintaining the tree for a period 3 years"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"city_trees":{"label":"City trees","value":null,"status":"none","note":"Invermere's Tree Removal Bylaw has no rule for District or boulevard trees.","sources":[{"url":"https://invermere.civicweb.net/document/135/","title":"Tree Removal Bylaw No. 1347, 2007 (PDF), District of Invermere"}]},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Municipal ticket: $250 for failing to get a tree cutting permit (s. 4); $500 for removing a significant tree (s. 8(c)); $150 for tree-damaging activities (s. 9(a)). A court fine can be up to $10,000.","short":"Ticket $250 for no permit","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://invermere.civicweb.net/document/61269/","title":"Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 1130, Schedule I (PDF), District of Invermere","section":"Schedule I (Bylaw 1372, 2008)","quotes":["Fail to obtain a Tree 4 $250 Cutting Permit","Removal of Significant 8 (c) $500 Trees","Tree Damaging Activities 9 (a) $150"]},{"url":"https://invermere.civicweb.net/document/135/","title":"Tree Removal Bylaw No. 1347, 2007 (PDF), District of Invermere","section":"s. 16","quotes":["liable to a fine not exceeding $10, 000.00."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"The District of Invermere – Tree Removal Bylaw No. 1347, 2007","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://invermere.civicweb.net/document/135/","title":"Tree Removal Bylaw No. 1347, 2007 (PDF), District of Invermere","section":"s. 1","quotes":["Tree Removal Bylaw No. 1347, 2007"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":7,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":1,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nInvermere's [Tree Removal Bylaw No. 1347, 2007](https://invermere.civicweb.net/document/135/) protects trees by size and location. A \"tree\" is a woody plant 5 m or more tall or 10 centimetres or more in diameter; a protected tree is over 80 cm across, measured 1.5 m above ground.\n\nA permit is needed to cut:\n- a tree over 80 cm across;\n- trees when logging a parcel;\n- within 20 m of a road or trail lot line, or 10 m of any other lot line;\n- within 30 m of a watercourse or Windermere Lake;\n- more than 2 trees a year on slopes over 20%.\n\nCutting in an Environmental Protection Area, or cutting a designated significant tree, is prohibited.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check your lot against the distances above and your zone (see zoning-lookup).\n2. Get the application form from the District office (250-342-9281) and apply before cutting.\n3. Pay the fee: $100 for each 50 trees or portion thereof. If the permit is not issued, the part above $75 is refunded.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- A tree or limb severely damaged by a natural cause and in imminent danger of falling may be cut without a permit. Dead, dying or unstable trees get a free permit. Up to 3 trees per 0.4 ha in 12 months is not \"logging\", but other rules still apply.\n- Cutting a tree marked \"to be retained\" on a development permit, or damaging roots, fill or soil inside a tree's drip line, is barred without a permit.\n- Anyone who cuts or damages a tree in breach of the bylaw must plant a replacement of the same species in about the same place, maintain it, and give security of 120% of the cost for 3 years.\n- A municipal ticket is $250 for cutting without a permit, $500 for removing a significant tree and $150 for tree-damaging activities. A court fine can be up to $10,000.\n- The bylaw's own application form lists an older $25 fee; the bylaw text says $100. Ask the District to confirm. The Official Community Plan also sets development permit areas along Lake Windermere, creeks and rivers and on slopes over 20%; check before clearing.","sources":[{"url":"https://invermere.civicweb.net/document/135/","title":"Tree Removal Bylaw No. 1347, 2007 (PDF), District of Invermere","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://invermere.civicweb.net/document/61269/","title":"Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 1130, Schedule I (PDF), District of Invermere","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://invermere.net/operations/general/contact-information/","title":"Contact Information, District of Invermere","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 6 of 7 facts was matched to the official text; 1 is recorded as not set."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/invermere/tree-removal/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/invermere/tree-removal.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/invermere/tree-removal.json"}}