Kent tree removal rules and permits
Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property?
Short answer
In the District of Kent no general permit to cut a tree on private land was found. Tree Bylaw 1700 applies only with a development application. In the Hillside and Mount Woodside development permit areas, site clearing needs a development permit.
Key facts
| When a permit is needed | No general permit to cut a tree on private land was found. Bylaw 1700 applies only outside the ALR where a development application is made. In the Hillside (DPA 1) and Mount Woodside (DPA 5) development permit areas, site clearing and soil movement need a development permit, and land alteration in an environmentally sensitive or hazardous area needs one in any DPA. Check the DPA maps.Tree Management (Land Development) Bylaw No. 1700, 2022, s. 3; Official Community Plan, 2025 update, Development Permit Areas, para 7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThis Bylaw applies to every parcel not included in the Agricultural Land Reserve where a community plan has been adopted by Bylaw, and in respect of which a development application has been submitted. c. Land alteration in an environmentally sensitive or hazardous area No site clearing, grubbing, re-contouring, grading or movement of soil may occur without the issuance of a development permit for such activity |
|---|---|
| Exemptions | Bylaw 1700 does not apply to: agricultural zones in the ALR; riparian lands, conservation areas and non-disturbance areas; trees cut under the Hydro Power and Authority Act; District land; development permit applications under $100,000; boundary adjustments; and building permits for tenant improvements or for a single-family dwelling and its associated buildings.Tree Management (Land Development) Bylaw No. 1700, 2022, s. 4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingagricultural zones located within the Agricultural Land Reserve; development permit applications with a construction value of less than (2) which relates to a single-family dwelling unit within a lot and any |
| Fee | None set. Kent's tree bylaw, Official Community Plan and fees bylaw set no tree-cutting permit fee.Read: Tree Management (Land Development) Bylaw No. 1700, 2022; Official Community Plan, 2025 update; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1717, 2023 (PDF, consolidated) |
| Replacement trees | For developments covered by the bylaw: at least 50 trees per hectare (25 per hectare in industrial zones) of newly planted and retained trees, and street trees along road frontages. The owner posts security of 125% of $300 per tree, released 50% after planting and the rest after a 2-year warranty period.Tree Management (Land Development) Bylaw No. 1700, 2022, s. 8; Tree Management (Land Development) Bylaw No. 1700, 2022, Sch. A; Tree Management (Land Development) Bylaw No. 1700, 2022, s. 18-19 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe Owner must ensure that each of its development sites has a tree density of at least 50 trees per hectare, comprising newly planted trees and retained trees, and including Security is based on 125% of total may apply for a release of 50% of the security After a 2-year Tree Warranty Period, the remaining security will be released to the |
| City trees | In a park or at a public facility, no one may cut, remove, injure or damage any tree, shrub or plant. Street trees on road allowances are planted by developers with approval of the Manager of Parks.Parks Regulation Bylaw No. 1443, s. 10; Tree Management (Land Development) Bylaw No. 1700, 2022, Sch. E · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingremove, cut, break, injure or in any way destroy or damage any tree, shrub, cut or remove any tree, timber or firewood; Street trees shall be planted with the approval of the Manager of Parks. |
| Fine | Court fine of $2,000 to $10,000 for each offence under the Tree Bylaw, plus the same range per day for a continuing offence. No ticket amount is set.Tree Management (Land Development) Bylaw No. 1700, 2022, s. 30 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingis liable to a fine of not less than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) and not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), and |
| Bylaw | Tree Management (Land Development) Bylaw No. 1700, 2022Tree Management (Land Development) Bylaw No. 1700, 2022, s. 1; Tree Management (Land Development) Bylaw No. 1700, 2022, heading · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingTree Management (Land Development) Bylaw No. 1700 Tree Management (Land Development) Bylaw No. 1700, 2022 |
How it works
The District has no general permit for cutting a tree on private land that we could find. The Tree Management (Land Development) Bylaw No. 1700 applies only outside the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) when a development application is made.
The Official Community Plan adds that in the Hillside (DPA 1) and Mount Woodside (DPA 5) development permit areas, site clearing and soil movement need a development permit. Land alteration in an environmentally sensitive or hazardous area needs one in any development permit area. Check the DPA maps.
Steps
- Call Planning (604-796-2235, planning@kentbc.ca) before cutting near streams or on slopes.
- Ask whether your lot is in a development permit area.
- If you are developing, follow the tree plan requirements in Bylaw 1700.
Good to know
- Bylaw 1700 does not apply to ALR agricultural zones; riparian lands, conservation areas and non-disturbance areas; trees cut under the Hydro Power and Authority Act; District land; development permit applications under $100,000; boundary adjustments; and building permits for tenant improvements or for a single-family dwelling and its associated buildings.
- For covered developments: at least 50 trees per hectare (25 in industrial zones), newly planted or retained, plus street trees. The owner posts security of 125% of $300 per tree, released 50% after planting and the rest after a 2-year warranty.
- In a park or at a public facility, no one may cut, remove, injure or damage any tree, shrub or plant. No rule for boulevard trees was found, so ask the District.
- The penalty is a court fine of $2,000 to $10,000 per offence, and the same range per day for a continuing offence. Kent sets no ticket amount.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Harrison Hot Springs · Chilliwack · Hope · Abbotsford · Mission · Maple Ridge
Sources
- Tree Management (Land Development) Bylaw No. 1700, 2022 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Official Community Plan, 2025 update (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Parks Regulation Bylaw No. 1443 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1717, 2023 (PDF, consolidated) (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. How answers are checked.