Mission tree removal rules and permits

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

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

Short answer

Usually not for a few trees in a yard. In the City of Mission the Tree Management Bylaw covers only south-west Silverdale. Elsewhere, land clearing in OCP Map 14A/14B areas may need a Development Permit if it passes 200 m² a year inside the Urban Growth Boundary or 500 m² outside.

Key facts

When a permit is needed	Tree Management Bylaw 3872-2006 applies only to Urban/Urban Reserve land in south-west Mission (Schedule A, Silverdale): a permit is needed to cut a tree 20 cm (7.87 in) or more across at 150 cm above ground, unless exempt. Elsewhere, a Development Permit may be required for land clearing in OCP Map 14A/14B areas (over 200 m² a year inside the Urban Growth Boundary, 500 m² outside).Tree Management Bylaw 3872-2006, ss. 3, 5(a); Land Clearing Management Program, Land Clearing Management Program page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording This bylaw applies only to: parcels of land included in the area designated as Urban/Urban Reserve in any tree having a diameter of at least 20 centimetres (7.87 inches) measured no person shall cut or allow to be cut a tree unless that person has a valid permit. Permits may be required for land alterations or clearing in regulated areas as identified on Map 14A and Map 14B of the Official Community Plan. 200 m2 within the Urban Growth Boundary 500 m2 outside the Urban Growth Boundary
Exemptions	No permit if: no more than 5 trees per 0.4 ha, up to 50 per parcel, in a calendar year; the tree is within 30 m of a home; cutting suits zoning (including agriculture); trees must go for a permitted building, driveway or services; or cutting is by government or utilities. These do not apply within 30 m of a stream's top of bank or on slopes steeper than 3:1.Tree Management Bylaw 3872-2006, s. 4.1, 4.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording The following exceptions contained in section 4.2 do not apply to trees located: within 30m (98.4ft), measured horizontally from the top of bank of all streams; on land having a slope greater than 3:1. no more than 5 trees are cut for every 0.4 hectare (or portion thereof) on a a tree is within 30 metres of any residential dwelling; a tree is cut by or on behalf of the District, or the provincial or federal
Fee	Not confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read.
Replacement trees	A replacement tree for each tree cut, planted on the same parcel under the approved replacement plan within 3 months of cutting, and kept up for at least one year. Species come from the bylaw's Schedule B list. Not required when trees are removed for agricultural purposes.Tree Management Bylaw 3872-2006, s. 7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording the current owner on the parcel of land shall replace the cut tree on planted within 3 months of the date of cutting of the tree approved for removal. for a period of not less than one year from the date it was planted. do not apply when the trees are removed for agricultural
City trees	In City parks, cutting down trees is prohibited, and no one may pick, cut, dig up or injure any plant, shrub or tree. Owners may landscape the boulevard by the City's policy, with trees only of species permitted by the subdivision control bylaw.Public Use of Parks Bylaw 5001-2008, s. 4(f), 5(c); https://www.mission.ca/media/file/str37-boulevard-lanscapingpdf, Policy STR.37, guideline 5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording f. cutting down trees pick, cut down, dig or pull up, or knowingly injure or destroy in whole or in part any flower, plant, shrub or tree in any park tree species that are permitted by the subdivision control bylaw
Fine	Cutting without a permit under the Tree Management Bylaw: court fine of $1,000 to $10,000 per offence, each day a separate offence (not on either ticket schedule). Cutting trees in a park: municipal ticket $250; bylaw notice $250 ($175 early, $325 late). Altering land in a development permit area without a permit: ticket $500; bylaw notice $500 ($350 early, $650 late).Tree Management Bylaw 3872-2006, s. 9(b), (c); Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 5700-2018, Schedule 16 (Public Use of Parks Bylaw 5001-2008); Ticket Information Bylaw 2646-1993, Schedules 22 and 25 (Ticket Information Bylaw 2646-1993); BNE bylaw 5700-2018 Schedule 16 and 18 in refs/7c31337dcf.txt · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording is liable to a fine and penalty of not less than $1,000 and not more than $10,000 for each offence. Each day that a violation continues shall constitute a separate offence. Cutting down of trees 4.f $250 $175 $325 Yes Cutting down of trees 4.f $250 Failure to obtain Permit for subdivision or alteration of land, 14 $500
Bylaw	Tree Management Bylaw 3872-2006Tree Management Bylaw 3872-2006, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording TREE MANAGEMENT BYLAW 3872-2006

How it works

The City of Mission's Tree Management Bylaw 3872-2006 applies only to Urban/Urban Reserve land in south-west Mission (Schedule A, Silverdale). There, a permit is needed to cut a tree 20 cm (7.87 in) or more across, measured 150 cm above the ground, unless an exemption applies. Outside that area the bylaw does not apply.

Separately, a Development Permit may be required for land clearing in the Official Community Plan areas on Map 14A and Map 14B: more than 200 m² a year inside the Urban Growth Boundary, or 500 m² a year outside it. Near streams, Map 14B areas need permits for all development.

Steps

Find your lot on WebMap and check whether it is in the Silverdale area or on Map 14A or 14B.
In the bylaw area, check the exemptions below. If none apply, apply to the Director of Engineering and Public Works with a tree replacement plan.
For clearing near a stream or in a mapped area, contact Environmental Services before you start.

Good to know

No bylaw permit is needed if you cut no more than 5 trees per 0.4 ha (up to 50 per parcel) in a calendar year, the tree is within 30 m of a home, cutting suits zoning (including agriculture), trees must go for a permitted building, driveway or services, or cutting is by government or utilities. These exemptions do not apply within 30 m of a stream's top of bank or on slopes steeper than 3:1.
Replacement: one tree for each tree cut, planted on the same parcel within 3 months and kept up for at least one year. Not required when trees are removed for agriculture.
A permit holder may cut only between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Permits last 12 months.
Cutting without a permit under the Tree Management Bylaw: court fine of $1,000 to $10,000 per offence, each day a separate offence.
Breaking a Development Permit's conditions, or not getting one, can bring a daily fine of $500. Altering land in a development permit area without a permit: a bylaw notice is $500 ($350 if paid early, $650 if late); a municipal ticket is $500.
Cutting trees in a City park is prohibited: a bylaw notice is $250 ($175 early, $325 late); a municipal ticket is $250. Boulevard trees must be of species permitted by the subdivision control bylaw.
A Development Permit for clearing needs a survey by a Qualified Environmental Professional.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Abbotsford · Township of Langley · Maple Ridge · Langley City · Pitt Meadows · Chilliwack

Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Tree Management Bylaw 3872-2006 (PDF), City of Mission (read 2026-11-05)
Land Clearing Management Program, City of Mission (read 2026-11-05)
Public Use of Parks Bylaw 5001-2008 (PDF), City of Mission (read 2026-11-05)
Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 5700-2018 (PDF), City of Mission (read 2026-11-05)
Ticket Information Bylaw 2646-1993 (PDF), City of Mission (read 2026-11-05)
https://www.mission.ca/media/file/str37-boulevard-lanscapingpdf (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 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.