Osoyoos tree removal rules and permits
Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property in Osoyoos?
Osoyoos has no tree-cutting bylaw for private land. Removing vegetation needs a development permit only if your lot is in an Official Community Plan Environmentally Sensitive or Riparian development permit area. Boulevard trees may not be removed or damaged without the Town's permission.
Key facts
| When a permit is needed | No tree-cutting bylaw is in the Town's bylaw list. On private land, removing vegetation needs a development permit only if the lot is in an OCP Environmentally Sensitive or Riparian development permit area (Riparian: within 30 m of a stream, or as mapped).Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1375, 2022, s. 8.D.4, 8.E.2, 8.E.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingalteration of the land, including grading, removal of vegetation, deposit or moving of soil, paving, installation of drainage or underground services. within 30.0 metres of a stream; or The areas designated as being within the Environmentally Sensitive Development Permit Area are shown on Map 18 |
|---|---|
| Exemptions | Environmentally Sensitive area: trees a Certified Arborist identifies as hazardous or invasive, or as a FireSmart wildfire hazard; normal farm practices in the ALR where the area is already altered for agriculture. Riparian area: minor pruning in existing landscaped areas; hazard or diseased trees per a professional's report; or a QEP letter that no riparian area exists.Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1375, 2022, s. 8.D.5; 8.E.5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe removal of trees identified as hazardous and/or invasive by a Certified Arborist, The removal of trees that are deemed to be a wildfire hazard as per provincial FireSmart minor pruning of trees and shrubs, planting vegetation and A letter is provided by a QEP confirming that there is no watercourse or riparian area as For property that is within the Agricultural Land Reserve, activities limited to those indicated as normal farm practices as defined in the Farm Practices Protection (Right to Farm) Act where the subject area has been previously altered for agricultural purposes; |
| Fee | No separate tree permit fee. If the lot is in a development permit area, the development permit application fee is $500 (delegated) or $750 (non-delegated) under Land Use Procedures Bylaw No. 1235, Schedule A.Land Use Procedures Bylaw No. 1235, 2007, Schedule A, s. 3.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingi) Delegated Development Permit $500 ii) Non- Delegated Development Permit $750. |
| Replacement trees | No tree-replacement rule. In the Environmentally Sensitive area, development permit guidelines require damage to sensitive features to be restored and exposed soils revegetated; a performance security may be required as a permit condition.Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1375, 2022, s. 8.D.6.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingRevegetation of exposed soils shall occur after any necessary land alteration is complete in order to prevent erosion and noxious weed infestation. Where a performance security is required as a condition of approval, habitat restoration will be reviewed one (1) year after completion of a project |
| City trees | No person may remove, damage, kill or cut a boulevard tree unless ordered or permitted to by the CAO (Traffic Bylaw s. 20). Owners must also trim and maintain trees and plantings on the boulevard next to their property (Good Neighbour Bylaw s. 3.3(e)).Traffic Bylaw No. 1256, 2009, s. 20; definition of Boulevard Tree; Good Neighbour Bylaw (ticketing schedule), s. 3.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo person shall remove, damage, kill or cut any boulevard tree unless ordered or permitted to do so by the CAO. “Boulevard Tree” means any ornamental or shade tree growing such that its trunk is wholly or partly on a boulevard or within one metre of any street, but shall not include trees grown by private individuals for the production of edible fruit. Every owner of real property shall maintain the sidewalk, boulevard, and lane adjacent to trim and maintain all trees and plantings; and |
| Fine | Boulevard tree removal or damage: bylaw notice $500 ($450 if paid early, $500 if late); municipal ticket $1,000. No ticket specific to cutting trees on private land was found.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1392, 2025, Schedule for Traffic Bylaw No. 1256, 2009; Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1279, 2011, Schedule 17 Traffic Bylaw · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingRemove/damage boulevard tree $500 $450 $500 No Remove/damage boulevard tree 20 $1000 $1000 |
| Bylaw | Traffic Bylaw No. 1256, 2009 (boulevard trees, s. 20); Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1375, 2022 (development permit areas, s. 8)Traffic Bylaw No. 1256, 2009, cover; Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1375, 2022, cover · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAdopted September 21, 2009 BYLAW NO.1375, 2022 Updated October 30, 2026 |
How it works
The Town has no bylaw protecting trees on private land. What it does control is vegetation removal in two development permit areas in the Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1375: Environmentally Sensitive areas, and Riparian areas (within 30 m of a stream, or as mapped). If your lot is in one, removing vegetation needs a development permit first. Outside those areas, no Town permit is needed to remove a tree from your own lot.
Some work is exempt. In an Environmentally Sensitive area these include trees a Certified Arborist identifies as hazardous or invasive, or as a FireSmart wildfire hazard. In a Riparian area they include minor pruning in existing landscaped areas, and hazard or diseased trees per a professional's report. Many exemptions need a report from an arborist or other professional and attention to bird nesting season. See OCP section 8 for the full lists.
Trees on the boulevard are the Town's. Under the Traffic Bylaw No. 1256 no one may remove, damage, kill or cut a boulevard tree unless ordered or permitted to by the CAO.
Steps
- Ask Planning and Development Services (250-495-6191) whether your lot is in a development permit area. The OCP maps are 18 and 19.
- If it is, get a development permit before removing vegetation, unless an exemption applies.
- Within 30 m of water, a Riparian Areas Regulation assessment may also apply.
Good to know
- The development permit application fee is $500 (delegated) or $750 (non-delegated) under Land Use Procedures Bylaw No. 1235, Schedule A.
- No tree replacement rule was found. In the Environmentally Sensitive area, damage to sensitive features must be restored and exposed soils revegetated, and a performance security may be required.
- Boulevard tree removal or damage: bylaw notice $500 ($450 if paid early, $500 if late); municipal ticket $1,000. No ticket specific to cutting trees on private land was found.
- Owners must also trim and maintain trees and plantings on the boulevard next to their property.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Oliver · Keremeos · Penticton · Summerland · Grand Forks · Peachland
Sources
- Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1375, 2022 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Land Use Procedures Bylaw No. 1235, 2007 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Traffic Bylaw No. 1256, 2009 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Good Neighbour Bylaw (ticketing schedule) (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1392, 2025 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1279, 2011 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Planning and Development Services, Town of Osoyoos (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. How answers are checked.