Parksville tree removal rules and permits

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

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

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.

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.Tree Management Bylaw, 2012, No. 1484 (consolidated, PDF), s. 4(1), s. 3(o), 3(i); Official Community Plan, development permit areas, Chapter 9, DPA 14 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 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
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.Tree Management Bylaw, 2012, No. 1484 (consolidated, PDF), s. 4(2) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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
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.Fees and Charges Bylaw, 2015, No. 1515, Schedule H, Schedule H, item 9; Tree Management Bylaw, 2012, No. 1484 (consolidated, PDF), s. 4(3)(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 Payment of a non-refundable application fee as set out in Schedule
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.Tree Management Bylaw, 2012, No. 1484 (consolidated, PDF), s. 4(5), 4(6), 6(4), 6(5) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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
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.Parks bylaw, s. 3.0(1), (2); Tree Management Bylaw, 2012, No. 1484 (consolidated, PDF), Schedule A, A.1(c); Traffic Bylaw No. 1436, s. 10.1(e) and (l) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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. 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) 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
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.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, Schedule A, Schedule A, Tree Management Bylaw 4.1; s. 5.1.2; Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1478, Appendix 12 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 Cut Tree Without Permit 4.1 $1,000.00
Bylaw	Tree Management Bylaw, 2012, No. 1484 (consolidated to include Bylaw No. 1515)Tree Management Bylaw, 2012, No. 1484 (consolidated, PDF), s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Tree Management Bylaw, 2012, No. 1484 Consolidated for convenience only to include Bylaw No. 1515

How it works

The City of Parksville's Tree Management Bylaw 1484 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

Check whether your tree is protected, and whether it is in a development permit area. Ask Community Planning (250 954-4697).
Complete the Tree Cutting and Removal Application and pay the non-refundable fee.
For a hazard tree that is not an emergency, include a report from a certified arborist. It still needs a permit.
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

The same question in other places

Qualicum Beach · Lantzville · Nanaimo · Port Alberni · Sechelt · Ladysmith

Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Tree Management Bylaw, 2012, No. 1484 (consolidated, PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Fees and Charges Bylaw, 2015, No. 1515, Schedule H (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Official Community Plan, development permit areas (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Traffic Bylaw No. 1436 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Parks bylaw (PDF), City of Parksville (read 2026-11-05)
Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, Schedule A (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1478 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Planning Applications and Fees, City of Parksville (read 2026-11-05)

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