Kimberley tree removal rules and permits

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

Kimberley, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

In Kimberley a permit under Tree Cutting Bylaw 2170 is needed to cut a tree in a Kimberley Alpine Village development permit area, on a lot with a tree cutting covenant, or on a slope over 26%. Elsewhere, the Environmental Protection area bars removing trees without a development permit. The fee is $50.

Key facts

When a permit is needed	Bylaw 2170: a permit is needed to cut, remove or damage trees in a tree cutting permit area: a Kimberley Alpine Village development permit area, a lot with a tree cutting covenant, or any slope over 26%. Elsewhere, the OCP Environmental Protection development permit area bars removing trees or vegetation without a development permit unless exempt.Tree Cutting Bylaw No. 2170, 2002, s. 2-3; Tree Cutting Bylaw No. 2170, 2002, s. 2; 6.0 Development Permit Areas, Official Community Plan, OCP s. 6.5.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording TREE CUTTING PERMIT AREA means any lot or portion thereof having any slope greater than 26%. No person shall cut, remove or damage or allow to be cut, removed or damaged trees on any property in a tree cutting permit area a development permit area designated in the Kimberley Alpine Village any lot or portion thereof having a tree cutting covenant registered All development, including disturbance to or removal of soils, water, trees and other vegetation, within the environmental protection area is prohibited unless a development permit has been issued, unless specifically exempted.
Exemptions	Exempt from Bylaw 2170: removal or pruning of dead, diseased or damaged trees by standard arboricultural practices; municipal cutting; emergency removal of hazardous trees (City must be told within 72 hours and may require replacement); cutting to reduce fuel loading or prevent disease (a geotechnical report may be required).Tree Cutting Bylaw No. 2170, 2002, s. 8-9 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording emergency removal of dangerous or hazardous trees and branches provided the City is notified within seventy-two (72) hours of removal; removal or pruning of dead, diseased or damaged trees by cutting or removal of trees necessary to reduce fuel loading and bird nesting purposes during bird provided that the City may require such trees to be replaced in accordance with the
Fee	$50 non-refundable application fee for cutting up to one hundred trees, plus $50 for each additional hundred trees or portion.Tree Cutting Bylaw No. 2170, 2002, s. 4(b)(v) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording a non-refundable permit application fee of $50 for the cutting and removal of the first one-hundred trees or portion thereof
Replacement trees	If a qualified person's report says replacement trees or site reinstatement are required, the applicant must post a security deposit (cash or irrevocable letter of credit) of 100% of the replacement and restoration cost, with 10% held back for one year after completion. The permit lapses if work is not substantially complete within one year.Tree Cutting Bylaw No. 2170, 2002, s. 6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording The amount of the security shall be 100% of the value of all There shall be a 10% holdback of the security deposit for a period within one year after the date of issuance, the tree cutting permit
City trees	On a boulevard, no one may plant a tree (other than grass) or injure, cut down or remove trees or timber growing there without a Street Occupancy Permit from the Director of Operations. Owners must keep trees at least 5 m above the roadway and sidewalk and not let them damage City works.Streets and Traffic Bylaw No. 1877, 1995, s. 511-512 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Except as authorized by a Street Occupancy Permit issued by the Director of injure, cut down or remove trees or timber growing on a boulevard; remain at a height less than 5 metres (16.4 feet) above the
Fine	None set. Kimberley's Tree Cutting Bylaw sets only court penalties and lists no ticket amount.Read: Tree Cutting Bylaw No. 2170, 2002
Bylaw	Tree Cutting Bylaw No. 2170, 2002.Tree Cutting Bylaw No. 2170, 2002, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording This Bylaw may be cited as "Tree Cutting Bylaw No. 2170, 2002."

How it works

Tree Cutting Bylaw 2170 requires a permit to cut, remove or damage trees in a tree cutting permit area: a Kimberley Alpine Village development permit area, a lot with a tree cutting covenant, or any slope over 26%. Outside those areas, the Official Community Plan's Environmental Protection development permit area (s. 6.5.4) bars removing trees or vegetation without a development permit unless exempt.

Steps

Find your lot on the City's web map and ask Planning Services whether it is in a permit area, has a covenant, or is in the Environmental Protection area.
If so, apply for the tree cutting permit (or development permit) before cutting. The Tree Cutting Bylaw application fee is $50, non-refundable, for up to one hundred trees, plus $50 for each additional hundred or portion.
If a qualified person's report says replacement trees or site reinstatement are needed, post the security deposit before work begins.
If the tree is on a boulevard, call Operations rather than cutting it.

Good to know

Exempt from Bylaw 2170: removing or pruning dead, diseased or damaged trees by standard arboricultural practice, municipal cutting, and cutting to reduce fuel loading or prevent disease (a geotechnical report may be required).
Emergency removal of a hazardous tree is exempt, but tell the City within 72 hours. The City may require replacement.
Security: 100% of the replacement and restoration cost, in cash or an irrevocable letter of credit, with 10% held back for one year after completion. The permit lapses if work is not substantially complete within one year.
On a boulevard, no one may plant a tree (other than grass) or injure, cut down or remove trees there without a Street Occupancy Permit from the Director of Operations. Owners must keep trees at least 5 m above the roadway and sidewalk.
Fines: the Tree Cutting Bylaw sets only court penalties (Offence Act) and lists no ticket amount. For boulevard trees, ask the City about the Streets and Traffic Bylaw penalty.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Cranbrook · Canal Flats · Fernie · Creston · Kaslo · Sparwood

Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Tree Cutting Bylaw No. 2170, 2002 (PDF), City of Kimberley (read 2026-11-05)
6.0 Development Permit Areas, Official Community Plan, City of Kimberley (read 2026-11-05)
Streets and Traffic Bylaw No. 1877, 1995 (PDF), City of Kimberley (read 2026-11-05)

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.