Invermere tree removal rules and permits

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

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

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.

Key facts

When a permit is needed	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.Tree Removal Bylaw No. 1347, 2007, ss. 4-7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording (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
Exemptions	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.Tree Removal Bylaw No. 1347, 2007, ss. 2(h), 12, 13 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording 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)
Fee	$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.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.Tree Removal Bylaw No. 1347, 2007, ss. 10(a), 11(e), 12(b); Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording 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.
Replacement trees	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.Tree Removal Bylaw No. 1347, 2007, s. 14 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording 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
City trees	None set. Invermere's Tree Removal Bylaw has no rule for District or boulevard trees.Read: Tree Removal Bylaw No. 1347, 2007
Fine	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.Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 1130, Schedule I, Schedule I (Bylaw 1372, 2008); Tree Removal Bylaw No. 1347, 2007, s. 16 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording Fail to obtain a Tree 4 $250 Cutting Permit Removal of Significant 8 (c) $500 Trees Tree Damaging Activities 9 (a) $150 liable to a fine not exceeding $10, 000.00.
Bylaw	The District of Invermere – Tree Removal Bylaw No. 1347, 2007Tree Removal Bylaw No. 1347, 2007, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording Tree Removal Bylaw No. 1347, 2007

How it works

Invermere's Tree Removal Bylaw No. 1347, 2007 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.

A permit is needed to cut:

a tree over 80 cm across;
trees when logging 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;
more than 2 trees a year on slopes over 20%.

Cutting in an Environmental Protection Area, or cutting a designated significant tree, is prohibited.

Steps

Check your lot against the distances above and your zone (see zoning-lookup).
Get the application form from the District office (250-342-9281) and apply before cutting.
Pay the fee: $100 for each 50 trees or portion thereof. If the permit is not issued, the part above $75 is refunded.

Good to know

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Official forms and pages

Tree Removal Bylaw No. 1347, 2007 (PDF)

The same question in other places

Radium Hot Springs · Canal Flats · Kaslo · Elkford · Kimberley · Cranbrook

Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Tree Removal Bylaw No. 1347, 2007 (PDF), District of Invermere (read 2026-11-08)
Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 1130, Schedule I (PDF), District of Invermere (read 2026-11-08)
Contact Information, District of Invermere (read 2026-11-08)

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. How answers are checked.