---
title: Port Edward tree removal rules and permits
question: "Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property?"
place: Port Edward, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/port-edward
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Port Edward
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-edward/tree-removal/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-edward/tree-removal.json"
---

# Port Edward tree removal rules and permits

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

**Short answer:** In Port Edward, the District's page says Tree Protection Bylaw No. 374 requires a tree cutting permit before you cut, remove or damage trees in designated Tree Protection Areas. The fee is $300 for each half hectare. The bylaw could not be read, so confirm with the District whether your lot is covered.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Port Edward, https://www.portedward.ca)  
**Cost:** $300 for each half hectare (or part) of area from which trees are to be cut or removed.  
**How long:** Not stated on the District's page or form.  
**Where:**
- Online: Tree Cutting Permit Application form, https://www.portedward.ca/web-forms/tree-cutting-permit-application
- Phone: District of Port Edward office, 250-628-3667 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

## Key facts

- **When a permit is needed:** Per the District's page, the Tree Protection Bylaw No. 374 (1995) requires a tree cutting permit before cutting, removing or damaging trees in designated Tree Protection Areas. The application form calls it the Rural Area Tree Protection By-law.
  - Source: [Tree Cutting Permit, Tree Cutting Permit page](https://www.portedward.ca/services/permits/tree-cutting-permit)
  - Official wording: "A tree cutting permit is required before any removal," … "Permit Required – Cutting, removal, or damage of trees is prohibited without approval."
  - Source: [Tree Cutting Permit Application form, Application form, Schedule B](https://www.portedward.ca/web-forms/tree-cutting-permit-application)
  - Official wording: "Application for Tree Cutting Permit (District of Port Edward Rural Area Tree Protection By-law No. 371, 1995)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Exemptions:** The District's page says the bylaw "applies primarily to trees over 2 meters in height and lots over 0.5 hectares" (listed under Exemptions). The bylaw itself could not be read.
  - Source: [Tree Cutting Permit, Tree Cutting Permit page](https://www.portedward.ca/services/permits/tree-cutting-permit)
  - Official wording: "Exemptions – Applies primarily to trees over 2 meters in height and lots over 0.5 hectares."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fee:** $300 for each half hectare (or part) of area from which trees are to be cut or removed.
  - Source: [Tree Cutting Permit Application form, Application form, section 4 Fees](https://www.portedward.ca/web-forms/tree-cutting-permit-application)
  - Official wording: "The fee shall be $300.00 for each half hectare or part thereof of area from which trees are proposed to be cut or removed."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Replacement trees:** Not confirmed. The District's page and form do not mention replacement planting.
- **City trees:** Not confirmed. The District's page and form do not mention trees on District property.
- **Fine:** Up to $10,000 per offence, per the District's page. No ticket amount found.
  - Source: [Tree Cutting Permit, Tree Cutting Permit page](https://www.portedward.ca/services/permits/tree-cutting-permit)
  - Official wording: "Unauthorized tree removal can result in fines up to $10,000 per offense."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Tree Protection Bylaw No. 374 (1995) (the permit form calls it the Rural Area Tree Protection By-law)
  - Source: [Tree Cutting Permit, Tree Cutting Permit page](https://www.portedward.ca/services/permits/tree-cutting-permit)
  - Official wording: "Tree Protection Bylaw No. 374 (1995) – District of Port Edward"
  - Source: [Tree Cutting Permit Application form, Application form, Schedule B](https://www.portedward.ca/web-forms/tree-cutting-permit-application)
  - Official wording: "Rural Area Tree Protection By-law No. 374 1995"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

The District of Port Edward's website says its Tree Protection Bylaw No. 374 (1995) requires a tree cutting permit before you cut, remove or damage trees in designated Tree Protection Areas. The application form calls it the Rural Area Tree Protection By-law. The bylaw itself is a scanned PDF that could not be read, so which areas are protected is not confirmed here.

The page lists an exemption: the bylaw "applies primarily to trees over 2 meters in height and lots over 0.5 hectares". The wording is unclear about who is exempt, so ask the District.

## Steps

1. Phone the District office at 250-628-3667 to ask whether your lot is in a Tree Protection Area.
2. Fill in the [Tree Cutting Permit Application form](https://www.portedward.ca/web-forms/tree-cutting-permit-application).
3. Pay $300 for each half hectare (or part) of area where trees will be cut or removed.

## Good to know

- The District's page says the penalty is up to $10,000 per offence. No ticket amount was found.
- The page and form do not mention replacement planting, hazard trees or trees on District property. Ask the District office.
- The Official Community Plan discourages tree removal on slopes steeper than 20%.

## Official forms and pages

- [Tree Cutting Permit, District of Port Edward](https://www.portedward.ca/services/permits/tree-cutting-permit)
- [Tree Cutting Permit Application form](https://www.portedward.ca/web-forms/tree-cutting-permit-application)

## Related questions

- [Port Edward zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-edward/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Port Edward building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-edward/building-permit.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tree-removal.md)
- [Prince Rupert](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-rupert/tree-removal.md)
- [Terrace](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/tree-removal.md)
- [Smithers](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/tree-removal.md)
- [Telkwa](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/telkwa/tree-removal.md)
- [Houston](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/houston/tree-removal.md)
- [Fraser Lake](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fraser-lake/tree-removal.md)

## Sources

- [Tree Cutting Permit, District of Port Edward](https://www.portedward.ca/services/permits/tree-cutting-permit) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Tree Cutting Permit Application form, District of Port Edward](https://www.portedward.ca/web-forms/tree-cutting-permit-application) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 712 (PDF), District of Port Edward](https://www.portedward.ca/uploads/_bylaws_business_development/712_OCP_Final-2.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 7 facts was matched to the official text; 2 could not be confirmed. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of Port Edward. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-edward/tree-removal/_