---
title: Merritt tree removal rules and permits
question: "Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property?"
place: Merritt, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/merritt
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Merritt
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/tree-removal/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/tree-removal.json"
---

# Merritt tree removal rules and permits

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

**Short answer:** The City of Merritt has no bylaw regulating tree cutting on private land. In wildfire and riparian (waterside) development permit areas, though, other removal likely needs a development permit. Trees in City parks and on boulevards are protected. Confirm with Planning first.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Merritt, https://www.merritt.ca)  
**Cost:** No tree-cutting permit fee found. If a development permit is needed, the 2026 fee is $368.12 for each type (riparian, geotechnical or wildfire).  
**Where:**
- Phone: Planning & Development Services, 250-378-8615

## Key facts

- **When a permit is needed:** No City bylaw regulates cutting trees on private land. In OCP wildfire (DPA 10) and riparian (DPA 11) development permit areas, tree removal alone is exempt only for hazardous trees with a qualified professional's report, so other removal there likely needs a development permit. Confirm with Planning.
  - Source: [Official Community Plan, DPA 10 Wildfire Hazards, OCP s. 12.10.5 Exemptions](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/DPA10-Wildfire-Hazards_PG245-248.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The only activity being proposed onsite relates to the removal of hazardous trees and a report prepared"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Exemptions:** Only in OCP development permit areas: removing hazardous trees is exempt from a development permit if the only activity is tree removal backed by a report. Wildfire area (DPA 10): report by a registered forest professional with danger tree or TRAQ qualifications. Riparian area (DPA 11): report by a QEP accepted by the City.
  - Source: [Official Community Plan, DPA 10 Wildfire Hazards, OCP s. 12.10.5](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/DPA10-Wildfire-Hazards_PG245-248.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The only activity being proposed onsite relates to the removal of hazardous trees and a report prepared" … "Tree Risk Assessment Qualifications (TRAQ) concludes the tree(s) is (are)"
  - Source: [Official Community Plan, DPA 11 Riparian, OCP s. 12.11.5](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/DPA11-Riparian_PG249-253.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Acceptance by the City of a report prepared by a QEP authorizing the removal of infested, diseased, or" … "hazardous trees"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** No tree-cutting permit fee found. If a development permit is needed in a riparian, geotechnical or wildfire area, the 2026 fee is $368.12 for each type.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2386, 2024, Schedules E and F, Schedule F](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Fees-and-Charges-Amendments-as-at-December-2025-CONSOLIDATED.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Appeal to Council of a Staff Decision on a DP $614.70 $645.44 $677.71 Riparian/ Environmental DP $368.12 $386.53 $405.85 Geotechnical DP $368.12 $386.53 $405.85" … "Riparian/ Environmental DP $368.12 $386.53 $405.85 Geotechnical DP $368.12 $386.53 $405.85 Wildfire DP $368.12 $386.53 $405.85" … "Geotechnical DP $368.12 $386.53 $405.85 Wildfire DP $368.12 $386.53 $405.85 Development Variance Permit or Board of Variance"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Replacement trees:** In the steep slope hazard area (DPA 9), trees removed for site grading or other works should be replanted; avoid removal on steep slopes.
  - Source: [Official Community Plan, DPA 9 Geotechnical, Steep Slope and Mining Hazards, OCP s. 12.9.26](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/DPA9-Geotechnical-Steep-Slope-and-Mining-Hazards_PG239-243.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Avoid tree removal on steep slopes, and if trees must be removed for site grading or other works, replant the"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **City trees:** Nobody may cut, break, injure or destroy any tree in a park or boulevard. On conviction the penalty is $2,500 to $10,000 plus costs. Owners must maintain trees on the boulevard next to their property, and trim trees over a sidewalk or highway.
  - Source: [City of Merritt Parks Regulation Bylaw No. 2385, 2024, s. 4.1, 6.3](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Park-Regulation-Bylaw-2385-2024-Consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No person shall cut, pick, break, dig, pull up, injure or in any way destroy, change or" … "damage in whole or in part, any tree, shrub, plant, grounds, turf, flower, building," … "is liable to a penalty of not less than"
  - Source: [Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 2387, 2024, s. 12.1(a)](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Good-Neighbour-Bylaw-2387-2024-Consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "shall maintain all" … "ground covers and plant materials including but not limited to trees, shrubs, herbs,"
  - Source: [Traffic Bylaw No. 1930, s. 606](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/1930-Traffic-CONSOLIDATED-FINAL.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Every person being the owner or occupier of real property shall cause" … "all trees, shrubs or other vegetation to be properly trimmed and cut"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** No ticket for cutting a tree on private land (no permit rule). For damaging a park or boulevard tree: municipal ticket $100 (MTI Bylaw 2044 schedule, which cites the older Parks bylaw 2054), or court penalty $2,500 to $10,000.
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2044, MTI Bylaw 2044 schedule, Parks Regulation Bylaw](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/MTI-Bylaw-2044-2009-Consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "damage park 4.1 – 4.4 $100.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Parks Regulation Bylaw No. 2385, 2024 (s. 4.1) for trees in parks and boulevards. No bylaw for trees on private land found.
  - Source: [City of Merritt Parks Regulation Bylaw No. 2385, 2024, title](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Park-Regulation-Bylaw-2385-2024-Consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "“City of Merritt Parks Regulation Bylaw 2385, 2024”"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The City of Merritt has no bylaw that requires a permit to cut a tree on private land. The Official Community Plan (OCP) does set development permit areas, and in two of them tree removal needs care.

- **Wildfire area (DPA 10) and riparian area (DPA 11):** removing hazardous trees is exempt from a development permit only if tree removal is the only activity and it is backed by a report. In DPA 10 the report is by a registered forest professional with danger tree or TRAQ qualifications; in DPA 11 it is by a Qualified Environmental Professional accepted by the City. Other removal there likely needs a development permit.
- **Steep slope area (DPA 9):** trees removed for site grading or other works should be replanted, and removal on steep slopes should be avoided.

## Steps

1. Ask Planning & Development Services (250-378-8615) whether your property is in a development permit area.
2. If it is, ask whether your removal needs a development permit, and get any required professional report.
3. Never cut a tree in a park or on the boulevard (see below).

## Good to know

- **City trees:** nobody may cut, break, injure or destroy any tree in a park or boulevard. On conviction the penalty is $2,500 to $10,000 plus costs. A municipal ticket of $100 is listed in the Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 2044, but it names an older Parks bylaw and may be out of date. Confirm with the City.
- Owners must maintain trees on the boulevard next to their property and trim trees over a sidewalk or highway. Bylaw notices for hedge or tree encroachment and for trees over a highway are $100 ($75 if paid within 14 days).
- No fine is stated for cutting a tree on private land.
- Do not take this as final for DPA properties: the OCP does not clearly say whether tree removal alone counts as development. Confirm with Planning.

## Official forms and pages

- [Parks Regulation Bylaw No. 2385, 2024 (PDF)](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Park-Regulation-Bylaw-2385-2024-Consolidated.pdf)
- [Planning and Development Services (Development Permit Areas)](https://www.merritt.ca/business-development/planning-development/development-services-applications/)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tree-removal.md)
- [Lytton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lytton/tree-removal.md)
- [Kamloops](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/tree-removal.md)
- [Princeton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/princeton/tree-removal.md)
- [Ashcroft](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ashcroft/tree-removal.md)
- [Peachland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/tree-removal.md)
- [West Kelowna](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/tree-removal.md)

## Sources

- [Official Community Plan, DPA 10 Wildfire Hazards (PDF), City of Merritt](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/DPA10-Wildfire-Hazards_PG245-248.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Official Community Plan, DPA 11 Riparian (PDF), City of Merritt](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/DPA11-Riparian_PG249-253.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Official Community Plan, DPA 9 Geotechnical, Steep Slope and Mining Hazards (PDF), City of Merritt](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/DPA9-Geotechnical-Steep-Slope-and-Mining-Hazards_PG239-243.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [City of Merritt Parks Regulation Bylaw No. 2385, 2024 (PDF)](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Park-Regulation-Bylaw-2385-2024-Consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2044 (PDF), City of Merritt](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/MTI-Bylaw-2044-2009-Consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2386, 2024 (PDF), Schedules E and F](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Fees-and-Charges-Amendments-as-at-December-2025-CONSOLIDATED.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 2387, 2024 (PDF), City of Merritt](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Good-Neighbour-Bylaw-2387-2024-Consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Traffic Bylaw No. 1930 (PDF), City of Merritt](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/1930-Traffic-CONSOLIDATED-FINAL.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Contact, City of Merritt](https://www.merritt.ca/contact/) (read 2026-11-05)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Merritt. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/tree-removal/_