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Lake Cowichan tree removal rules and permits

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

Lake Cowichan, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

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.

Key facts

When a permit is neededA 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 1055-2021, consolidated February 24, 2026, Part IV, Tree Cutting; Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1097-2023, s. 6.2.4(2)(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
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.
measured 30 metres horizontally from and at right angles to the Top of Bank
ExemptionsWatercourse 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.Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1097-2023, s. 6.2.5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
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
Fee$100 for a Development Permit Area tree cutting permit.Fees and Charges for Services Bylaw No. 1127-2025, Schedule E, Tree Cutting Permit Fee · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
Development Permit Area Tree cutting permit $ 100.00
Replacement treesIn 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.Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1097-2023, s. 6.3 Wildfire guidelines (8)(e), (9) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
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.
City treesNo 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.Sidewalk and Boulevard Bylaw No. 875-2009, s. 4.1(a), (g); Parks Regulations Bylaw No. 919-2012, s. 3(1) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
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
No person shall cut, break, injure, remove or in any way destroy or
FineNone set. The Lake Cowichan sources that were read set no fine for cutting a tree without a permit.Read: Zoning Bylaw No. 1055-2021, consolidated February 24, 2026
BylawZoning Bylaw No. 1055-2021 (Tree Cutting) and Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1097 (Part 6, Development Permit Areas)Zoning Bylaw No. 1055-2021, consolidated February 24, 2026, Part IV, Tree Cutting; Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1097-2023, Part 6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
A tree cutting permit will be required prior to the removal of any trees
Development Permits will be required for all development projects locating

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 (for example the watercourse and streamside area, within 30 m of top of bank, and the natural hazard areas). The Zoning Bylaw (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.
  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, 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, 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

The same question in other places

Ladysmith · Duncan · North Cowichan · Nanaimo · Lantzville · North Saanich

Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Zoning Bylaw No. 1055-2021, consolidated February 24, 2026 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
  2. Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1097-2023 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
  3. Fees and Charges for Services Bylaw No. 1127-2025 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
  4. Sidewalk and Boulevard Bylaw No. 875-2009 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
  5. Parks Regulations Bylaw No. 919-2012 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
  6. Contact Us, Town of Lake Cowichan (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.