---
title: Lake Cowichan tree removal rules and permits
question: "Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property in Lake Cowichan?"
place: Lake Cowichan, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/lake-cowichan
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: Town of Lake Cowichan
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/tree-removal/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/tree-removal.json"
---

# Lake Cowichan tree removal rules and permits

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

**Short answer:** In Lake Cowichan you need a tree cutting permit only inside the Official Community Plan's Development Permit Areas, such as streamside and natural hazard areas. The Town has no general tree-protection bylaw. The permit costs $100. Town boulevard and park trees are protected.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Town of Lake Cowichan, https://www.lakecowichan.ca)  
**Cost:** $100 for a Development Permit Area tree cutting permit.  
**How long:** The Town's pages and bylaws state no processing time.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Town Hall, 250-749-6681
- In person: Town Hall, 39 South Shore Road, Lake Cowichan, BC V0R 2G0 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed statutory holidays)

## Key facts

- **When a permit is needed:** A tree cutting permit is needed before removing any trees or portions of trees within the designated Development Permit Areas in the Official Community Plan (for example the watercourse and streamside area, within 30 m of top of bank, and the natural hazard areas). The Town's bylaw list has no general tree-protection bylaw.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1055-2021, consolidated February 24, 2026, Part IV, Tree Cutting](https://www.lakecowichan.ca/dl/1055-2021%20Zoning%20Bylaw%20Consolidated%2026-02-24.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A tree cutting permit will be required prior to the removal of any trees or portions of trees" … "within the designated Development Permit Areas as specified in the Official Community Plan."
  - Source: [Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1097-2023, s. 6.2.4(2)(a)](https://www.lakecowichan.ca/dl/1097-2023%20Official%20Community%20Plan.pdf)
  - Official wording: "measured 30 metres horizontally from and at right angles to the Top of Bank"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Exemptions:** Watercourse and streamside area: minor pruning in an existing landscaped area, removal of hazardous trees by Town staff or on a certified arborist's recommendation, and removal of non-native species need no development permit. Natural hazard (floodplain, steep slope) areas: no exemption. Wildfire hazard: exemption may be granted for infill where a qualified professional shows low or moderate risk. ALR land not addressed.
  - Source: [Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1097-2023, s. 6.2.5](https://www.lakecowichan.ca/dl/1097-2023%20Official%20Community%20Plan.pdf)
  - Official wording: "minor pruning of trees and shrubs, planting vegetation and minor soil disturbance that does" … "removal of hazardous trees by Town staff or upon the recommendation of a certified arborist;" … "removal of non-native species;" … "No exemptions from the requirements of a Development Permit for flood plains and steep slopes may" … "be granted for infill development where it can be demonstrated by a qualified professional that the"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fee:** $100 for a Development Permit Area tree cutting permit.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges for Services Bylaw No. 1127-2025, Schedule E, Tree Cutting Permit Fee](https://www.lakecowichan.ca/dl/1127-2025%20Fees%20and%20Charges%20for%20Services.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Development Permit Area Tree cutting permit $ 100.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Replacement trees:** In the wildfire hazard area: if a qualified professional finds tree or vegetation removal necessary for wildfire risk, Town approval is required and replacement trees or vegetation may be required; a tree assessment and retention or restoration plan, and security, may also be required.
  - Source: [Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1097-2023, s. 6.3 Wildfire guidelines (8)(e), (9)](https://www.lakecowichan.ca/dl/1097-2023%20Official%20Community%20Plan.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Town approval is required and replacement trees or vegetation may be required;" … "A tree assessment and retention or restoration plan by a Qualified Professional may be required." … "Security in connection with such removal."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **City trees:** No person may wilfully damage a boulevard or any tree, shrub, plant, bush or hedge on a boulevard, or plant a tree on a boulevard that will block sidewalk access or safe road use when grown. In parks, no person may cut, injure, remove or destroy any tree.
  - Source: [Sidewalk and Boulevard Bylaw No. 875-2009, s. 4.1(a), (g)](https://www.lakecowichan.ca/dl/875-2009-Sidewalk%20and%20Boulevard%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "wilfully damage any boulevard or any tree, shrub, plant, bush or hedge on any" … "plant any tree, hedge, bush or shrub on the boulevard which when fully grown will or is"
  - Source: [Parks Regulations Bylaw No. 919-2012, s. 3(1)](https://www.lakecowichan.ca/dl/919-2012%20Parks%20Regulations.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No person shall cut, break, injure, remove or in any way destroy or"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fine:** None set. The Lake Cowichan sources that were read set no fine for cutting a tree without a permit.
- **Bylaw:** Zoning Bylaw No. 1055-2021 (Tree Cutting) and Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1097 (Part 6, Development Permit Areas)
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1055-2021, consolidated February 24, 2026, Part IV, Tree Cutting](https://www.lakecowichan.ca/dl/1055-2021%20Zoning%20Bylaw%20Consolidated%2026-02-24.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A tree cutting permit will be required prior to the removal of any trees"
  - Source: [Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1097-2023, Part 6](https://www.lakecowichan.ca/dl/1097-2023%20Official%20Community%20Plan.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Development Permits will be required for all development projects locating"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

A tree cutting permit is needed before removing any trees or portions of trees within the designated Development Permit Areas in the [Official Community Plan](https://www.lakecowichan.ca/dl/1097-2023%20Official%20Community%20Plan.pdf) (for example the watercourse and streamside area, within 30 m of top of bank, and the natural hazard areas). The [Zoning Bylaw](https://www.lakecowichan.ca/dl/1055-2021%20Zoning%20Bylaw%20Consolidated%2026-02-24.pdf) (Part IV, Tree Cutting) refers to this. The Town's bylaw list has no general tree-protection bylaw, so outside those areas no Town permit is set out for trees on private land.

Check OCP Maps 3 to 6 for your lot, or ask the Town.

## Steps

1. Check whether your lot is in a Development Permit Area on OCP Maps 3 to 6.
2. If it is, apply for a tree cutting permit before cutting. The fee is $100 under the [Fees and Charges for Services Bylaw](https://www.lakecowichan.ca/dl/1127-2025%20Fees%20and%20Charges%20for%20Services.pdf).
3. The Town's pages do not say how to apply or how long it takes. Call Town Hall at 250-749-6681.

## Good to know

- Streamside area: minor pruning in an existing landscaped area, removal of hazardous trees by Town staff or on a certified arborist's recommendation, and removal of non-native species need no development permit.
- Natural hazard (floodplain, steep slope) areas: no exemption.
- Wildfire hazard area: an exemption may be granted for infill where a qualified professional shows low or moderate risk. If removal is needed for wildfire risk, Town approval is required, and replacement trees or vegetation, a tree assessment and retention or restoration plan, and security may be required. No standard replacement ratio is stated. ALR land is not addressed.
- Boulevard and park trees: under the [Sidewalk and Boulevard Bylaw](https://www.lakecowichan.ca/dl/875-2009-Sidewalk%20and%20Boulevard%20Bylaw.pdf), no one may wilfully damage a boulevard or any tree, shrub, plant, bush or hedge on it, or plant a tree on a boulevard that will block sidewalk access or safe road use. Under the [Parks Regulations Bylaw](https://www.lakecowichan.ca/dl/919-2012%20Parks%20Regulations.pdf), no one may cut, injure, remove or destroy a tree in a park.
- The sources we read set no fine for cutting a tree without a permit. The Zoning Bylaw penalty is a fine under the Offence Act.

## Official forms and pages

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1055-2021, consolidated February 24, 2026 (PDF)](https://www.lakecowichan.ca/dl/1055-2021%20Zoning%20Bylaw%20Consolidated%2026-02-24.pdf)
- [Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1097-2023 (PDF)](https://www.lakecowichan.ca/dl/1097-2023%20Official%20Community%20Plan.pdf)
- [Fees and Charges for Services Bylaw No. 1127-2025 (PDF)](https://www.lakecowichan.ca/dl/1127-2025%20Fees%20and%20Charges%20for%20Services.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Lake Cowichan zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Lake Cowichan building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/building-permit.md)
- [Lake Cowichan secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/secondary-suite.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tree-removal.md)
- [Ladysmith](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/tree-removal.md)
- [Duncan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/tree-removal.md)
- [North Cowichan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/tree-removal.md)
- [Nanaimo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/tree-removal.md)
- [Lantzville](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lantzville/tree-removal.md)
- [North Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/tree-removal.md)

## Sources

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1055-2021, consolidated February 24, 2026 (PDF)](https://www.lakecowichan.ca/dl/1055-2021%20Zoning%20Bylaw%20Consolidated%2026-02-24.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1097-2023 (PDF)](https://www.lakecowichan.ca/dl/1097-2023%20Official%20Community%20Plan.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Fees and Charges for Services Bylaw No. 1127-2025 (PDF)](https://www.lakecowichan.ca/dl/1127-2025%20Fees%20and%20Charges%20for%20Services.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Sidewalk and Boulevard Bylaw No. 875-2009 (PDF)](https://www.lakecowichan.ca/dl/875-2009-Sidewalk%20and%20Boulevard%20Bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Parks Regulations Bylaw No. 919-2012 (PDF)](https://www.lakecowichan.ca/dl/919-2012%20Parks%20Regulations.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Contact Us, Town of Lake Cowichan](https://www.lakecowichan.ca/contact.php) (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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with Town of Lake Cowichan. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/tree-removal/_