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

# Parksville tree removal rules and permits

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

**Short answer:** In the City of Parksville you need a tree cutting permit to cut or damage a protected tree: over 50 cm across, covenanted, within 30 m of a watercourse or the top of a 30% slope, or an eagle or heron nesting tree. Pruning and emergencies are exempt. Removing vegetation in a watercourse area also needs a development permit.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Parksville, https://www.parksville.ca)  
**Cost:** Non-refundable application fee: $75 per tree for the first 5 trees, $50 per tree for the next 5, $25 per tree after 10. Replacement security of the greater of $1,000 or 120% of replacement cost may be required.  
**How long:** The permit is valid for six months. The City states no processing time.  
**Where:**
- Email: Community Planning, planning@parksville.ca
- Phone: Community Planning, 250 954-4697
- In person: City Hall, 100 Jensen Avenue East, Parksville, BC

## Key facts

- **When a permit is needed:** A tree cutting permit is needed to cut down or damage a 'protected tree': over 50 cm across (measured 1.4 m up), a covenanted tree, any tree within 30 m of a watercourse or top of a 30% slope, or an eagle or heron nesting tree. Poplar and alder are excluded. Removing vegetation in a watercourse (riparian) or eagle/heron development permit area also needs a development permit.
  - Source: [Tree Management Bylaw, 2012, No. 1484 (consolidated, PDF), s. 4(1), s. 3(o), 3(i)](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/1103)
  - Official wording: "no person shall damage a protected tree and no person shall cut down a protected tree unless that person holds a valid tree cutting permit" … "Any tree, the diameter of which is greater than 50 centimetres" … "A tree located within 30 metres (98.4252 feet) of the natural boundary of a watercourse or top of a slope of 30% or more" … "Specifically excludes all Populus sp. and Alder trees" … "An Eagle or Great Blue Heron nesting tree"
  - Source: [Official Community Plan, development permit areas, Chapter 9, DPA 14](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/6647/)
  - Official wording: "Prior to undertaking any development within the Eagle and Heron Nesting and Perch Tree Protection Area, the owner of a property shall apply for a Development Permit" … "removal, alteration, disruption or destruction of vegetation" … "Prior to undertaking any development within the riparian assessment area, as defined in this DPA, a property owner shall apply to the City for a development permit"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Exemptions:** No permit for pruning to accepted arboricultural practice, emergency removal of a tree in imminent danger of falling (tell the Director immediately), the City cutting trees in a City park, public road and utility works, or a protected tree inside a building with an issued building permit. Poplar and alder are not protected. A non-emergency hazard tree still needs a permit and arborist report.
  - Source: [Tree Management Bylaw, 2012, No. 1484 (consolidated, PDF), s. 4(2)](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/1103)
  - Official wording: "A tree cutting permit is not required: (a) For pruning;" … "For the emergency removal of a protected tree that has been so severely damaged or has been rendered so unstable by wind, snow or other severe weather event, that it is in imminent danger of falling" … "immediately advises the Director of that action" … "To cut down a protected tree that is within the area bounded by the exterior walls or face" … "By the City to cut down a protected tree located in a City park in accordance with normal park maintenance procedures" … "the selective removal of branches from a tree in accordance with accepted ISA arboricultural practice" … "The tree is a hazardous tree, and"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** Non-refundable application fee: $75 per tree for the first 5 trees, $50 per tree for the next 5, and $25 per tree for more than 10.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw, 2015, No. 1515, Schedule H, Schedule H, item 9](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/1021/)
  - Official wording: "9) Tree cutting/pruning permit application fee" … "a) First 5 trees $75.00 per tree plus" … "b) Next 5 trees $50.00 per tree plus" … "c) More than 10 trees $25.00 per tree"
  - Source: [Tree Management Bylaw, 2012, No. 1484 (consolidated, PDF), s. 4(3)(a)](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/1103)
  - Official wording: "Payment of a non-refundable application fee as set out in Schedule"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Replacement trees:** The Director may require replacement of protected trees cut (including any cut in the previous three months) and security of the greater of $1,000 or 120% of the estimated cost of replacement trees, held until one year after planting. After unlawful cutting the owner can be ordered to plant the same species nearby: conifers at least 2 metres tall.
  - Source: [Tree Management Bylaw, 2012, No. 1484 (consolidated, PDF), s. 4(5), 4(6), 6(4), 6(5)](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/1103)
  - Official wording: "The replacement of any protected tree that is cut down or was cut down within the three (3) month period immediately preceding the date the tree plan was submitted" … "Shall be the greater of $1,000; or" … "An amount equal to 120% of the cost of the replacement trees as reasonably estimated by a certified arborist or landscape architect retained by the applicant" … "In the case of coniferous species, be not less than 2 metres (6.562 feet) in height"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **City trees:** Park trees: no one except City staff may destroy, damage, climb or remove a tree or plant in a City park, and planting needs written permission from the Director of Operations. Street and boulevard trees: no cutting or removing without a permit from the Director (Traffic Bylaw 1436 s. 10.1). Private tree work that encroaches on public land needs $5 million insurance, 48 hours notice and a $1,000 bond.
  - Source: [Parks bylaw, s. 3.0(1), (2)](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/21817)
  - Official wording: "Destroy, damage, climb, break, remove or injure any tree, shrub, plant, turf or flower." … "Plant any tree, sapling or flower without the written permission of the Director of Operations or designate."
  - Source: [Tree Management Bylaw, 2012, No. 1484 (consolidated, PDF), Schedule A, A.1(c)](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/1103)
  - Official wording: "Show proof of liability insurance in the amount of five million dollars ($5,000,000.00) with the City of Parksville named as an additional insured" … "Provide a refundable bond in the amount of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00)"
  - Source: [Traffic Bylaw No. 1436, s. 10.1(e) and (l)](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/1116)
  - Official wording: "Except as authorized by a permit issued by the Director pursuant to this bylaw, no person shall:" … "cut down or remove trees or timber growing on a highway" … "cause damage to, cut down or remove trees, shrubs, plants, bushes and hedges, fences or other things erected or maintained on a boulevard"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice (Tree Management Bylaw s. 4.1, cut tree without permit): $500, or $375 if paid within 14 days; $500 if late. Municipal ticket: $1,000.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, Schedule A, Schedule A, Tree Management Bylaw 4.1; s. 5.1.2](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/2814)
  - Official wording: "Cut Tree Without Permit $500.00 $375.00 $500.00" … "If received by the Registry within 14 days of the person receiving or being presumed to have received the notice"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1478, Appendix 12](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/1121)
  - Official wording: "Cut Tree Without Permit 4.1 $1,000.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Tree Management Bylaw, 2012, No. 1484 (consolidated to include Bylaw No. 1515)
  - Source: [Tree Management Bylaw, 2012, No. 1484 (consolidated, PDF), s. 1](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/1103)
  - Official wording: "Tree Management Bylaw, 2012, No. 1484" … "Consolidated for convenience only to include Bylaw No. 1515"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The City of Parksville's [Tree Management Bylaw 1484](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/1103) requires a permit to cut down or damage a protected tree. That means a tree over 50 cm across (measured 1.4 m up), a covenanted tree, any tree within 30 m of a watercourse or the top of a 30% slope, or an eagle or heron nesting tree. Poplar and alder are not protected. The bylaw covers all lots.

Removing vegetation in a watercourse (riparian) or eagle and heron development permit area is development under the City's Official Community Plan, so it also needs a development permit.

## Steps

1. Check whether your tree is protected, and whether it is in a development permit area. Ask Community Planning (250 954-4697).
2. Complete the Tree Cutting and Removal Application and pay the non-refundable fee.
3. For a hazard tree that is not an emergency, include a report from a certified arborist. It still needs a permit.
4. Expect the Director to possibly require replacement trees and security. Replacement is a condition the Director may attach, not automatic.

## Good to know

- No permit is needed for pruning to accepted arboricultural practice, emergency removal of a tree in imminent danger of falling (tell the Director immediately), or a protected tree inside a building with an issued building permit.
- City trees: no one except City staff may destroy, damage, climb or remove a tree in a City park, and there is no permit route for it. Cutting or removing street and boulevard trees needs a permit from the Director under Traffic Bylaw 1436, s. 10.1.
- If tree work encroaches on public land you need $5 million insurance, 48 hours' notice and a $1,000 bond.
- After unlawful cutting you can be ordered to plant the same species nearby: conifers at least 2 m tall.
- Cutting a tree without a permit: a bylaw notice is $500 ($375 if paid within 14 days); a municipal ticket is $1,000. A court fine can be up to $10,000.

## What you'll need

- Completed Tree Cutting and Removal Application
- Arborist report (needed for a hazard tree that is not an emergency)

## Official forms and pages

- [Planning Applications and Fees page](https://www.parksville.ca/cms.asp?wpID=41)
- [Tree Cutting and Removal Application (PDF)](https://www.parksville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID41atID9165.pdf)
- [Tree Management Bylaw 1484 (PDF)](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/1103)

## Related questions

- [Parksville building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/parksville/building-permit.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tree-removal.md)
- [Qualicum Beach](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/tree-removal.md)
- [Lantzville](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lantzville/tree-removal.md)
- [Nanaimo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/tree-removal.md)
- [Port Alberni](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/tree-removal.md)
- [Sechelt](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/tree-removal.md)
- [Ladysmith](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/tree-removal.md)

## Sources

- [Tree Management Bylaw, 2012, No. 1484 (consolidated, PDF)](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/1103) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw, 2015, No. 1515, Schedule H (PDF)](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/1021/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Official Community Plan, development permit areas (PDF)](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/6647/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Traffic Bylaw No. 1436 (PDF)](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/1116) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Parks bylaw (PDF), City of Parksville](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/21817) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, Schedule A (PDF)](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/2814) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1478 (PDF)](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/1121) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Planning Applications and Fees, City of Parksville](https://www.parksville.ca/cms.asp?wpID=41) (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 Parksville. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/parksville/tree-removal/_