Princeton tree removal rules and permits
Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property?
Princeton has no stand-alone tree bylaw in its posted bylaws. Tree cutting is controlled through development permit areas in the Official Community Plan: removing vegetation in a riparian (streamside) area needs a development permit. Ask Planning whether your lot is affected.
Key facts
| When a permit is needed | Cutting trees on private land is controlled through development permit areas in the OCP: in a riparian assessment area (DPA 5), removing vegetation is development that needs a development permit. DPA 6 (wildfire) covers subdivision and multi-family, commercial, institutional and industrial development.Official Community Plan 2022-2042, Part 5, Part 5, Overview; Official Community Plan 2022-2042, Part 5, Part 5, DPA 5; Official Community Plan 2022-2042, Part 5, Part 5, DPA 6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingAlteration of land or removal, alteration, disruption or destruction of vegetation or disturbance Development Permit Area No. 5 consists of all the riparian assessment areas within the Town Multi family residential, commercial, institutional and/or industrial development on |
|---|---|
| Exemptions | DPA 5 exempts repair or reconstruction of a permanent structure on its existing foundation and agricultural, mining or forestry development. DPA 6 exempts work whose only activity is removing hazardous trees (a forestry professional's report may be required).Official Community Plan 2022-2042, Part 5, Part 5, DPA 5 exemptions; Official Community Plan 2022-2042, Part 5, Part 5, DPA 6 exemptions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingreconstruction or repair of a permanent structure described in section 532(1) of the agricultural, mining, or forestry related development. The only activity being proposed onsite relates to the removal of hazardous tree(s). applicants may be required to provide a report prepared by a forestry professional |
| Fee | No tree-specific fee found. A development permit, where required, costs $625 (September 1, 2026 rate).Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1026, 2022, Schedule I, Schedule I, I04 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingDevelopment Permit $ 515.00 $ 540.00 $ 570.00 $ 595.00 $ 625.00 |
| Replacement trees | None set. Princeton's posted bylaws set no replacement-planting rule for trees. |
| City trees | Owners and occupiers must maintain the Town boulevard next to their property, including trimming and maintaining trees, hedges and plantings and cutting or removing any tree that blocks visibility or safety for pedestrians, cyclists or vehicles.Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 1059, 2026, s. 4.6; Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 1059, 2026, s. 1 (definition of Boulevard) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingBoulevard and Alley Maintenance trim and maintain trees, hedges, and plantings; cut or remove any tree, hedge, fence, or Structure obstructing visibility or safety for “Boulevard” means the portion of Town property described as the strip of land |
| Fine | None set. Princeton's posted bylaws set no ticket for cutting a tree without a permit. |
| Bylaw | No stand-alone tree bylaw found. Rules come from Official Community Plan 2022-2042 (Bylaw No. 1044, 2023), Part 5 development permit areas, and the Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 1059, 2026.Official Community Plan 2022-2042, Part 5; Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 1059, 2026, s. 1.1 and s. 4.1(k) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingDevelopment Permit Areas (DPA) are specific areas within the Town where more detailed a Hazard Tree which poses risk of damage to persons or property. |
How it works
The Town of Princeton has no tree-protection bylaw in its posted bylaw library. Tree cutting on private land is controlled through development permit areas (DPAs) in the Official Community Plan 2022-2042. In the riparian assessment area (DPA 5), removing vegetation counts as development and needs a development permit. DPA 6 (wildfire) covers subdivision and multi-family, commercial, institutional and industrial development.
DPA 5 exempts repair or reconstruction of a permanent structure on its existing foundation, and agricultural, mining or forestry development. DPA 6 exempts work whose only activity is removing hazardous trees; a forestry professional's report may be required.
Steps
- Ask Planning (planning@princeton.ca or 250-295-3135) whether your lot is in DPA 5 or DPA 6.
- If it is, apply for a development permit before cutting.
Good to know
- Owners and occupiers must maintain the Town boulevard next to their property, including trimming trees, hedges and plantings and cutting or removing any tree that blocks visibility or safety for pedestrians, cyclists or vehicles (Property Maintenance Bylaw). Failing to maintain a boulevard is a $200 ticket ($100 if paid within 30 days).
- Failing to correct a hazard tree is a $300 ticket ($150 if paid within 30 days).
- The Town's posted bylaws do not say who may remove a Town-owned tree, or set a replacement-planting rule or a ticket for cutting without a permit. Ask Planning.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Keremeos · Summerland · Hope · Penticton · Peachland · Oliver
Sources
- Official Community Plan 2022-2042, Part 5 (PDF), Town of Princeton (read 2026-11-08)
- Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 1059, 2026 (PDF), Town of Princeton (read 2026-11-08)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1026, 2022, Schedule I (PDF), Town of Princeton (read 2026-11-08)
- Contact Us, Town of Princeton (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 are recorded as not set. How answers are checked.