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Peachland tree removal rules and permits

Do I need permission to cut down a tree in Peachland?

Peachland, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

Short answer

In Peachland the Tree Protection Bylaw covers trees on public and private land. Protected trees include any over 75 cm DBH, arbutus and Garry oak over 20 cm, and heritage trees. Cutting them needs a Tree Cutting Permit ($0 to apply, $50 on issue). Many exemptions exist.

Key facts

When a permit is neededThe bylaw covers trees on District and private land. Section 5.4 bars damaging any tree unless exempt (Part 6, such as trees under 150 mm DBH) or done under a Tree Cutting Permit. Protected trees include any over 75 cm DBH, arbutus and Garry oak over 20 cm, heritage trees and trees in watercourse or foreshore areas.Tree Protection Bylaw No. 2404, 2023, Part 3 (Protected Tree), Part 4, s. 5.1; Building Permit FAQs, FAQ: Do I need any other permits? · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
This bylaw applies to trees which are:
Any tree with a DBH greater than 75 cm
Any tree of the following species with a DBH greater than 20 cm:
Any tree located within a Watercourse Protection Area or Foreshore Protection Area
a tree cutting permit under this bylaw for the purposes identified in this section
Unless exempt under Part 6 or proceeding in accordance with a valid tree cutting
Thinking of cutting down a tree on your property? Think again. You may need to obtain a Tree Cutting Permit.
ExemptionsBylaw 2404 s. 6.1 exempts dead, diseased or damaged trees (with a professional's letter), emergency hazard removals, fruit and invasive trees, trees under 150 mm (6 in.) DBH, trees within 1.5 m of a building for wildfire risk, and tree farms. The Planning FAQ says dead and hazard trees still need a permit; check with Bylaw Services.Sources differ: Also not covered: trees cut by the Province or Canada on their land, Regional District operations, District parkland operations, and public utility land cut for safety or maintenance (s. 4.2).Tree Protection Bylaw No. 2404, 2023, s. 6.1 and s. 4.2(b); Planning FAQs, Planning FAQ: Tree Removal · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
the pruning or removal of fruit trees;
the removal of invasive trees; and
the removal of trees with a DBH of less than 150 millimeters (six inches).
the removal or pruning of any tree within 1.5 metres (4.9 feet) of a building or structure to
the emergency removal of dangerous or hazardous trees or limbs by standard
ALR lands that are altered, damaged , cut or removed for the purpose of agricultural use
Dead and hazard trees will be permitted to come down, but a permit is still required.
Fee$0 to apply; $50 when the permit is issued. The issuance fee can be waived when a FireSmart Assessment has been completed.https://www.peachland.ca/media/file/consolidated-bylaw-2277-development-application-licence-feespdf, Schedule 5, items 1 and 2; Development Application & Licence Fees Bylaw No. 2277, 2020, consolidated, Schedule 5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Application for tree cutting permit
Issuance of tree cutting permit
$50
may exempt an application from the Tree Cutting Permit issuance fee when a FireSmart Assessment has been completed.
Application for tree cutting permit
Issuance of tree cutting permit
may exempt an application from the Tree Cutting Permit issuance fee when a FireSmart Assessment has been completed.
Replacement treesTwo replacement trees for each tree removed, or six for each protected tree, planted on the same parcel within one growing season (the Director may waive or change this). Minimum size 3.0 m (conifer) or 80 mm DBH (deciduous). None needed for fire hazard, dead, diseased or damaged trees.Tree Protection Bylaw No. 2404, 2023, ss. 9.1-9.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
replaced within one growing season at a ratio of two replacement trees for each tree
removed or at a ratio of six replacement trees for each protected tree removed
planted and maintained on the same parcel as the tree(s) removed.
The minimum size of replacement trees shall be 3.0 metres (10 feet) in height for conifers and
has been identified as a fire hazard to property;
City treesThe Tree Protection Bylaw covers trees on land owned or held by the District, but not District parkland trees cut by the District in approved operations. Under the Parks Regulation Bylaw, no one may break, injure, dig or destroy trees lawfully planted on a boulevard or in a park.Tree Protection Bylaw No. 2404, 2023, s. 4.1(a), s. 4.2(d); https://www.peachland.ca/media/file/consolidated-bylaw-2089-2014-park-regulation-bylawpdf-0, s. 21 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
on lands owned or in the possession of the District; and
Parkland owned or held by the District of Peachland that are altered, damaged, cut, or
No person shall break, injure, dig, or destroy any trees lawfully planted, or the sod grass of any
FineBylaw notice for cutting, removing or damaging a tree contrary to the bylaw: $250 ($225 if paid within 14 days, $275 if paid 28 days or more after receipt). Failing to replace trees: $100. Court fine up to $10,000 per offence, each tree a separate offence.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2275, Schedule A, Part 21; Tree Protection Bylaw No. 2404, 2023, ss. 15.2, 15.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Cut/remove/damage tree(s) within Tree
5.1 $250 $225 $275 N/A
Failure to replace tree(s) as required $100 $90 $110
penalty not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) and the costs of prosecution.
a separate offence is committed in respect to each tree
BylawTree Protection Bylaw No. 2404, 2023Tree Protection Bylaw No. 2404, 2023, s. 1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Peachland "Tree Protection Bylaw No. 2404, 2023"

How it works

The Tree Protection Bylaw No. 2404, 2023 covers trees on District and private land. Section 5.4 bars damaging a tree unless it is exempt (Part 6) or the work is done under a Tree Cutting Permit. Protected trees include any over 75 cm DBH, arbutus and Garry oak over 20 cm, heritage trees, and trees in watercourse or foreshore areas.

The bylaw exempts (s. 6.1): trees under 150 mm (6 in.) DBH, dead, diseased or damaged trees (with a professional's letter), emergency hazard removals, fruit and invasive trees, trees within 1.5 m of a building for wildfire risk, and tree farms. It does not cover trees cut by the Province or Canada on their land, Regional District operations, District parkland operations, or public utility land cut for safety or maintenance.

Separate from the bylaw, check the Official Community Plan development permit areas (aquatic, hillside over 20% slope, terrestrial, wildfire). The building permit FAQ says a development permit may be needed.

Steps

  1. Check whether the tree is protected or exempt.
  2. Contact Bylaw Services at 250-767-3710 or bylaw@peachland.ca to apply for a Tree Cutting Permit.
  3. Check whether your property is in a development permit area (see zoning-lookup).
  4. Replace the tree(s) as the permit requires: two replacement trees for each tree removed, or six for each protected tree, planted on the same parcel within one growing season (the Director may waive or change this). Minimum size is 3.0 m (conifer) or 80 mm DBH (deciduous). None are needed for fire hazard, dead, diseased or damaged trees. Do not plant within 1.5 m of a building.

Good to know

  • The Planning FAQ says dead and hazard trees still need a permit, while the bylaw exempts them. Confirm with Bylaw Services before cutting.
  • A bylaw notice for cutting, removing or damaging a tree contrary to the bylaw is $250 ($225 if paid within 14 days, $275 if paid 28 days or more after receipt). Failing to replace trees is $100. The court fine is up to $10,000 per offence, and each tree is a separate offence.
  • Active bird nests are protected under provincial and federal law.
  • Under the Parks Regulation Bylaw, no one may break, injure, dig or destroy trees lawfully planted on a boulevard or in a park.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

West Kelowna · Summerland · Kelowna · Penticton · Lake Country · Vernon

Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Tree Protection Bylaw No. 2404, 2023 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  2. Planning FAQs, District of Peachland (read 2026-11-06)
  3. Building Permit FAQs, District of Peachland (read 2026-11-06)
  4. Development Application & Licence Fees Bylaw No. 2277, 2020, consolidated (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  5. Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2275 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  6. Contact Us, District of Peachland (read 2026-11-06)
  7. https://www.peachland.ca/media/file/consolidated-bylaw-2277-development-application-licence-feespdf (read 2026-11-06)
  8. https://www.peachland.ca/media/file/consolidated-bylaw-2089-2014-park-regulation-bylawpdf-0 (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.