Prince George tree removal rules and permits
Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property?
Short answer
Usually not for a tree on an ordinary Prince George lot. The City's Tree Protection Bylaw only requires a permit in the AG: Greenbelt zone and in Riparian Protection development permit areas near watercourses. Trees on City land belong to the City, and only City staff may prune or remove them.
Key facts
| When a permit is needed | Only in the AG: Greenbelt zone and in Riparian Protection Development Permit Areas (near a top of bank, e.g. within 15 m, or 30 m for commercial, industrial, institutional and the Fraser and Nechako rivers). A "tree" is a woody plant 1.5 m or taller, or with a trunk 3 cm or wider, able to grow 10 m or more.City of Prince George Tree Protection Bylaw No. 6343, 1995 (consolidated October 20, 2025), s. 3, s. 4.1, s. 5.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingno person shall cut down, or allow to be cut down, a tree in an area defined as: A Riparian Protection Development Permit Area as designated in the Official Community Plan; 15.0 m from the top of bank for agricultural, outdoor recreation, and low density (17 units/ha) residential developments; 30.0 m from the top of bank of the Fraser River or Nechako River; any live standing woody plant which is 1.5 meters or more in height or has a trunk diameter of at least 3 centimeters, and capable of growing to a height of 10 meters or more. |
|---|---|
| Exemptions | Dead, diseased or fire-damaged trees identified by the Ministry of Forests or a professional forester; dangerous trees; BC Hydro or WCB safety cuts; public service corridors and highways; maintenance. In AG also: trees inside the land use envelope with a building permit, driveways up to 12 m wide with a City access permit, and trees cut to create or maintain a fence (within 3 m of it).City of Prince George Tree Protection Bylaw No. 6343, 1995 (consolidated October 20, 2025), s. 5.1, s. 5.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThis bylaw does not apply to: (b) dangerous trees; (c) trees, required to be cut down, to meet any B.C. Hydro or Workers Compensation Board safety regulations; (g) maintenance, and trees inside the land use envelope provided that a valid building permit has been issued for that property; trees required to be cut down to create or maintain a fence, provided that the trees cut down are within 3 meters of the fence; trees required to be cut down to create or maintain a driveway, with a maximum width of 12 meters, leading to the land use envelope for a building provided that valid access permit has been obtained from the City; |
| Fee | $150 non-refundable processing fee plus a $1,000 application fee. No charge for a permit to remove a severely damaged or unstable tree, or one whose roots interfere with drainage, sewer, water systems or buildings.Comprehensive Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 7557, 2004, Schedule A-15, Schedule A-15, Tree Protection; City of Prince George Tree Protection Bylaw No. 6343, 1995 (consolidated October 20, 2025), s. 8.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingTree Protection Permit Application Processing fee (non-refundable) $150.00 Application Fee $1000.00 There shall be no charge for a permit issued under section 8. |
| Replacement trees | Someone who cuts a tree against the bylaw must replace it: two trees if it stood within 5 m of the top of bank or ravine bank, one tree if 5 m or more away.City of Prince George Tree Protection Bylaw No. 6343, 1995 (consolidated October 20, 2025), s. 11.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingwith two trees if the tree cut down was within 5 m measured horizontally from the top of bank with one tree if the tree cut down was 5 m or more, measured horizontally, from the top of bank |
| City trees | Trees on City property belong to the City; only City staff or contractors may prune or plant them, and planting needs City permission. A tree 8 to 20 feet from the front of a property is likely on City land. In parks, trails and open space, no one may destroy, damage or remove trees or other vegetation.Trees & Urban Forests, Trees on City property (web page); City of Prince George Parks and Open Space Bylaw No. 7370 (consolidated March 23, 2026), s. 1 (Vegetation, Open Space Area), s. 8.1(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingTrees growing on City property are owned by the City regardless of who planted them. Pruning or planting of City-owned trees is not permitted by anyone other than City staff or contractors. If a tree is within eight to 20 feet from the front of a property, it is most likely on municipal grounds destroy, damage, deface or remove any vegetation or Development Vegetation” includes all trees, shrubs, plants, flowers and natural grass |
| Fine | No ticket amount found in the City's ticket schedules. The bylaw sets a court fine of $2,000 to $10,000, or up to three months in jail, or both. Each tree cut is a separate offence.City of Prince George Tree Protection Bylaw No. 6343, 1995 (consolidated October 20, 2025), s. 10.2, s. 10.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingEach tree that is cut down contrary to this Bylaw constitutes a separate offense. is subject to a fine not less than $2,000 and not more than $10,000.00, or a term of imprisonment not exceeding three months, or both. |
| Bylaw | City of Prince George Tree Protection Bylaw No. 6343, 1995City of Prince George Tree Protection Bylaw No. 6343, 1995 (consolidated October 20, 2025), s. 1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThis Bylaw may be referred to as the "City of Prince George Tree Protection Bylaw No. 6343, 1995". |
How it works
The Tree Protection Bylaw requires a permit to cut trees only in the AG: Greenbelt zone and in Riparian Protection Development Permit Areas. Those areas run near a top of bank, for example within 15 m, or 30 m for commercial, industrial and institutional developments and the Fraser and Nechako rivers. Elsewhere on private land the bylaw requires no permit.
A "tree" is a woody plant 1.5 m or taller, or with a trunk 3 cm or wider, that can grow 10 m or more.
Steps
- Check your zone and development permit areas in PGMap, or call Development Services at 250-561-7611.
- If a permit is needed, apply and pay the $150 processing fee and $1,000 application fee (no application fee for a damaged, unstable or nuisance tree).
- Wait for the permit before cutting. It is valid for 6 months and can be extended once for 6 months.
Good to know
- Exempt: dead, diseased or fire-damaged trees identified by the Ministry of Forests or a professional forester, dangerous trees, safety cuts required by BC Hydro or WorkSafeBC, public service corridors and highways, and maintenance. The AG zone has more exemptions, such as driveways up to 12 m wide with a City access permit.
- Cutting a tree against the bylaw can bring a court fine of $2,000 to $10,000, or up to three months in jail, or both. Each tree cut is a separate offence. You must also replace it: two trees if it stood within 5 m of the top of bank or ravine bank, one if 5 m or more away.
- Trees on City property belong to the City. A tree 8 to 20 feet from the front of a property is likely on City land. Do not prune or remove it; call 311. In parks, trails and open space, no one may destroy, damage or remove trees or other vegetation.
- The City does not remove healthy trees that drop branches, cones or seeds onto private property.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Vanderhoof · Quesnel · Fort St James · Wells · Fraser Lake · Tumbler Ridge
Sources
- Trees & Urban Forests, City of Prince George (read 2026-11-05)
- City of Prince George Tree Protection Bylaw No. 6343, 1995 (consolidated October 20, 2025) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Comprehensive Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 7557, 2004, Schedule A-15 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- City of Prince George Parks and Open Space Bylaw No. 7370 (consolidated March 23, 2026) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Building Permits (Development Services contact), City of Prince George (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. How answers are checked.