---
title: Metchosin tree removal rules and permits
question: "Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property in Metchosin?"
place: Metchosin, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/metchosin
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Metchosin
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/metchosin/tree-removal/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/metchosin/tree-removal.json"
---

# Metchosin tree removal rules and permits

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

**Short answer:** In Metchosin you need a permit to cut down any tree 10 cm or more in diameter unless an exemption applies. The fee is $40 for the first 50 trees. Protected trees (such as Garry oak and arbutus), significant trees and Shoreland Slopes trees have extra rules.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Metchosin, https://www.metchosin.ca)  
**Cost:** $40 for the first 50 trees (or part), plus $2 for each additional tree. Non-refundable. No fee for removing a dangerous tree.  
**How long:** Not stated by the District.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Municipal Hall, 250-474-3167
- Online: Tree Cutting Permits, District of Metchosin, https://www.metchosin.ca/municipal-hall/tree-cutting-permits
- In person: Municipal Hall, 4450 Happy Valley Road, Victoria, BC V9C 3Z3 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

## Key facts

- **When a permit is needed:** A permit is needed to cut down any tree (a woody plant 10 cm or more in diameter) anywhere in Metchosin unless an exemption applies. Special permit rules also cover protected trees (Garry oak, arbutus, Pacific dogwood, Pacific yew, cascara, manzanita and others), significant trees, the Shoreland Slopes Development Permit Area, and riparian assessment areas.
  - Source: [Tree Management Bylaw No. 287 (consolidated 2013), s. 8(1)](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/1430/)
  - Official wording: "No person shall cut down any tree except in accordance with a Permit."
  - Source: [Tree Management Bylaw No. 287 (consolidated 2013), s. 5(20)](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/1430/)
  - Official wording: "any living, erect, woody plant which is 10 cm"
  - Source: [Tree Management Bylaw No. 287 (consolidated 2013), s. 5(13), 10.1(1)](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/1430/)
  - Official wording: "a Garry Oak tree (Quercus garryana)" … "No person shall cut down a protected tree except in accordance with a Permit."
  - Source: [Tree Cutting Permits](https://www.metchosin.ca/municipal-hall/tree-cutting-permits)
  - Official wording: "The Tree Management Bylaw regulates the removal of trees in Metchosin."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Exemptions:** On ordinary land no permit is needed for a dangerous tree, or for up to 50 trees of 18 cm diameter or less and 10 larger trees per 4,000 m² in 12 months (not in riparian assessment areas). Protected trees, significant trees and Shoreland Slopes trees still need a permit, except up to ten arbutus under 0.5 m dbh. Trees under 10 cm are not covered.
  - Source: [Tree Management Bylaw No. 287 (consolidated 2013), s. 8(2)](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/1430/)
  - Official wording: "a Permit is not required to cut down any tree where none of the trees to" … "50 trees having a diameter of 18 cm (7”) or less" … "10 trees having a diameter of more than 18 cm (7”)" … "Despite subsection (1), a Permit is not required to cut down any tree where none of the trees to" … "No person shall cut down a protected tree except in accordance with a Permit." … "Despite section 10.1(1), a permit is not required to cut down no more than ten" … "“Tree” means any living, erect, woody plant which is 10 cm (3.9”) or more in diameter."
  - Source: [Tree Management Bylaw No. 287 (consolidated 2013), s. 10.1(3)](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/1430/)
  - Official wording: "a permit is not required to cut down no more than ten"
  - Source: [Tree Management Bylaw No. 287 (consolidated 2013), s. 21](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/1430/)
  - Official wording: "Nothing contained in this Bylaw shall apply to a tree growing on a highway, park, right of way or"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** $40 for the first 50 trees (or part), plus $2 for each additional tree. Non-refundable. No fee for removing a dangerous tree.
  - Source: [Tree Management Bylaw No. 287 (consolidated 2013), s. 14(1), (2)](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/1430/)
  - Official wording: "$40.00 for the first 50 trees or portion thereof; and" … "$2.00 for each additional tree." … "No application fee shall be charged for the removal of a dangerous tree."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Replacement trees:** The Clerk may require replacement trees as a permit condition, and they are required if a tree is cut contrary to the bylaw. Replacement trees are planted in the largest size available from a Vancouver Island nursery, maintained, and secured at 120% of the cost of replacing and maintaining them for 3 years.
  - Source: [Tree Management Bylaw No. 287 (consolidated 2013), s. 15(a)](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/1430/)
  - Official wording: "replacement trees be planted as specified in Section 19"
  - Source: [Tree Management Bylaw No. 287 (consolidated 2013), s. 19(3)](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/1430/)
  - Official wording: "provide to the Municipality security in the amount of 120% of the total cost of replacing and" … "maintaining the tree for a period of 3 years."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **City trees:** The Tree Management Bylaw does not apply to trees on a District highway, park, right of way or easement. Under the Traffic and Highways Regulation Bylaw No. 57 (s. 21), no one may cut down or remove trees growing on a highway, or damage District-planted trees, without a permit from the chief administrative officer.
  - Source: [Tree Management Bylaw No. 287 (consolidated 2013), s. 21](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/1430/)
  - Official wording: "Nothing contained in this Bylaw shall apply to a tree growing on a highway, park, right of way or"
  - Source: [Traffic and Highways Regulation Bylaw No. 57, s. 21(1)-(2)](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/911/)
  - Official wording: "down or remove trees or timber growing on a highway, or" … "cause damage to, cut down, or remove trees, fences, signs," … "Except as authorized by a permit issued by the chief administrative officer pursuant to Part 7 of"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Municipal ticket: $500 if paid on or before the 30th day, $1,000 after. The bylaw also sets a minimum fine of $500 for each tree cut without a permit, and a court fine of up to $10,000 per tree (maximum $100,000 per offence).
  - Source: [Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 475, Schedule 9](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/912/)
  - Official wording: "1. Cut down tree without permit 8(1) $ 500 $ 1000"
  - Source: [Tree Management Bylaw No. 287 (consolidated 2013), s. 24](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/1430/)
  - Official wording: "Any person who cuts a tree without a permit is subject to a minimum fine of $500.00 for each tree unlawfully cut down." … "not more than $10,000.00 for each tree unlawfully cut or damaged"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** District of Metchosin Tree Management Bylaw, No. 287
  - Source: [Tree Management Bylaw No. 287 (consolidated 2013), s. 1](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/1430/)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited as the “District of Metchosin Tree Management Bylaw, No. 287”."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the District's [Tree Management Bylaw No. 287](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/1430/), you need a permit to cut down any tree, meaning a woody plant 10 cm or more in diameter, anywhere in Metchosin unless an exemption applies. Trees under 10 cm are not covered.

Special rules apply to protected trees (Garry oak, arbutus, Pacific dogwood, Pacific yew, cascara, manzanita and others), significant trees, trees in the Shoreland Slopes Development Permit Area, and riparian assessment areas.

The exemptions: on ordinary land no permit is needed for a dangerous tree, or for up to 50 trees of 18 cm diameter or less and 10 larger trees per 4,000 m² in 12 months (not in riparian assessment areas). That allowance does not cover protected trees, significant trees or Shoreland Slopes trees, which still need a permit, except up to ten arbutus under 0.5 m diameter at breast height.

## Steps

1. Call Municipal Hall (250-474-3167) to check whether your tree is protected, significant or in a special area.
2. Apply for a tree cutting permit from the Tree Cutting Permits page and pay the fee.
3. Plant any replacement trees the permit requires.

## Good to know

- Replacement trees: the Clerk may require them as a permit condition, and they are required if a tree is cut contrary to the bylaw. They are planted in the largest size available from a Vancouver Island nursery and maintained, and secured at 120% of the cost of replacing and maintaining them for 3 years.
- A tree in imminent danger of falling may be cut at once, but cutting a significant tree, a Shoreland Slopes tree or a riparian tree must be reported within 3 days.
- Fines: a municipal ticket is $500 if paid on or before the 30th day and $1,000 after. The bylaw also sets a minimum fine of $500 for each tree cut without a permit and a court fine of up to $10,000 per tree (maximum $100,000 per offence).
- Trees on District roads, parks, rights of way or easements are not covered by this bylaw. Under Traffic and Highways Regulation Bylaw No. 57, no one may cut or remove trees growing on a highway, or damage District-planted trees, without a permit from the chief administrative officer.
- This is a 2013 consolidation of the bylaw, so confirm current rules and fees with staff.

## Official forms and pages

- [Tree Management Bylaw No. 287 (consolidated 2013)](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/1430/)
- [Tree Cutting Permits page](https://www.metchosin.ca/municipal-hall/tree-cutting-permits)

## Related questions

- [Metchosin building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/metchosin/building-permit.md)
- [Metchosin zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/metchosin/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Metchosin bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/metchosin/bylaw-fines.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tree-removal.md)
- [Colwood](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/tree-removal.md)
- [Langford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/tree-removal.md)
- [View Royal](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/tree-removal.md)
- [Sooke](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sooke/tree-removal.md)
- [Esquimalt](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/tree-removal.md)
- [Victoria](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/tree-removal.md)

## Sources

- [Tree Management Bylaw No. 287 (consolidated 2013)](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/1430/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Tree Cutting Permits, District of Metchosin](https://www.metchosin.ca/municipal-hall/tree-cutting-permits) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 475, Schedule 9](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/912/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Traffic and Highways Regulation Bylaw No. 57](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/911/) (read 2026-11-06)

_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 District of Metchosin. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/metchosin/tree-removal/_