Qualicum Beach tree removal rules and permits

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

Qualicum Beach, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

Short answer

In Qualicum Beach you need a Town permit to cut a "protected tree", which includes any tree 30 cm or more across at breast height. One protected tree per two calendar years on a residential lot with an occupied dwelling is exempt. Fines run $1,500 to $2,500 per municipal ticket.

Key facts

When a permit is needed	A permit is needed to cut or remove a 'protected tree': any tree 30 cm (12 in) or more across at breast height; listed species (arbutus, Garry oak, Pacific dogwood, Pacific yew, cascara, manzanita, seaside juniper, trembling aspen, Oregon ash) 50 cm or more tall or 5 cm or more across; replacement trees; trees in Environmental or Hazard Development Permit Areas; trees kept for subdivision, development or building permits; and trees with raptor, osprey, heron or cavity-nest use. A permit is also needed if work disturbs the protected root zone.Tree Removal, Tree Removal Permit FAQ · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Any tree having a diameter at breast height that is 30 centimetres (12 inches) or more. Garry Oak (Quercus garryana) Any tree within an Environmental or Hazard Development Permit Area Any tree with evidence of a nest or use by: A permit is also required if the tree to be cut or altered is not a protected tree, but its removal process disturbs the protected root zone
Exemptions	No permit for: a protected tree posing imminent danger (tell the Director within three business days); hedge pruning (except in the Steep Slope DPA); one protected tree per 2 calendar years on a residential lot with an occupied dwelling; on lots over 1 acre, one tree per acre per year (max 10); trees on provincial or federal land; and land where silviculture is permitted. The one-tree and per-acre allowances do not cover Garry oak, arbutus, Pacific yew or Pacific dogwood, trees 75 cm (29.5 in) or more across, or trees in Hazardous Lands or Ecological DPAs. The Town's page adds that the lot must not be on a slope.Tree Protection Bylaw No. 725, 2023, s. 4.2; Tree Removal, Which trees can I cut down without a permit? · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording A Permit is not required for the pruning of a Hedge poses an imminent danger of falling and the lot Owner will be authorized to Remove one Protected one Protected Tree for each .4046 hectare (1 Acre) in a lot per calendar up to a maximum of ten Trees per lot per calendar year the Protected Tree is a Garry Oak, Arbutus, Pacific Yew or Pacific Dogwood; the property is not located on a slope This bylaw does not apply to trees on provincial or federal lands. This bylaw does not apply to trees on land where “Silviculture” is a permitted use in the zoning.
Fee	No application fee for dead, dying or hazard trees, or for removing one protected tree in a two-calendar-year period. Otherwise a non-refundable $100 application fee when removing two or more trees in a two-calendar-year period. Plus a refundable security deposit of $700 per replacement tree before the permit is issued.Sources differ: The Town's web page states the $100 fee without the one-tree-in-two-years exemption; the bylaw (s. 5.3) is followed here.Tree Protection Bylaw No. 725, 2023, s. 5.3; Tree Removal, Tree Removal Permit Fees · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording No permit application fee shall be charged for applications to Remove dead, dying or Hazard Trees; A non-refundable application fee of $100 is required on all A refundable security deposit of $700 per Replacement Tree is A non-refundable application fee of $100. A refundable security deposit of $700 per replacement tree is required before a tree cutting permit is issued.
Replacement trees	Two replacement trees must be planted and maintained for each tree cut or removed, within 90 days of the permit unless construction would affect planting; fewer may be required for a hedge. If the lot cannot take them, cash in lieu of $1,000 per replacement tree. The $700 per tree deposit is refundable two years after planting if the trees are healthy.Tree Protection Bylaw No. 725, 2023, s. 6 and s. 7.4; Tree Removal, Do trees that were cut with a permit need to be replaced? · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording two Replacement Trees must be planted and maintained for each Tree Cut or ($1000)DOLLARS per replacement Tree. at a charge of $1,250 per Replacement Tree to the A refundable security deposit of $700 per Replacement Tree is Alternatively, payment of $1,000 dollars per replacement tree may be accepted
City trees	No one may plant a tree or hedge on Town land without written authorization from the Town. To ask the Town to prune, trim or remove a tree on Town-maintained property, fill out the Town's application form (Town land policy 4002-4 applies). The Town may cut protected trees on public property without a permit.Tree Protection Bylaw No. 725, 2023, s. 4.1.4 and s. 4.2.2(b); Tree Removal, Request Pruning, Trimming & Tree Removal on Town Land · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording A person shall not plant a Tree or Hedge on Town lands or cause Trees Town or its agents on public property. To request the Town to prune, trim or remove trees on Town maintained property, please fill out an application.
Fine	Municipal ticket: $2,500 for cutting or removing a protected tree; $1,500 for breaching a permit, damaging bark, branches or roots, working in the root zone, topping, or planting on Town land without permission. Each day can be ticketed.Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 626, Schedule 22 of Bylaw 626 (Tree Protection Bylaw No. 725, 2023); s. 2(4)(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Cut, remove or remove a Protected Tree 4.1.1 $2500 Non-compliance with a permit 4.1.2 $1500 may be imposed for each day that the offence continues.
Bylaw	Town of Qualicum Beach Tree Protection Bylaw No. 725, 2023Tree Protection Bylaw No. 725, 2023, s. 1; Tree Removal, page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Town of Qualicum Beach Tree Protection Bylaw No. 725, Town of Qualicum Beach Tree Protection Bylaw No. 725

How it works

Qualicum Beach's Tree Protection Bylaw No. 725, 2023 requires a permit to cut or remove a "protected tree". Protected trees are:

any tree 30 cm (12 in) or more across at breast height
arbutus, Garry oak, Pacific dogwood, Pacific yew, cascara, manzanita, seaside juniper, trembling aspen and Oregon ash that are 50 cm or more tall or 5 cm or more across
replacement trees, and trees kept for subdivision, development or building permits
trees in Environmental or Hazard Development Permit Areas, and trees with raptor, osprey, heron or cavity-nest use

A permit is also needed if work disturbs a protected tree's root zone.

No permit needed: a protected tree posing imminent danger (tell the Director within three business days); hedge pruning (except in the Steep Slope area); one protected tree per 2 calendar years on a residential lot with an occupied dwelling; on lots over 1 acre, one tree per acre per year (maximum 10); trees on provincial or federal land; and land where silviculture is permitted. These allowances do not cover Garry oak, arbutus, Pacific yew or Pacific dogwood, trees 75 cm (29.5 in) or more across, or trees in Hazardous Lands or Ecological areas.

Replacement: two replacement trees for each tree removed, planted within 90 days unless construction would affect planting. If the lot cannot take them, cash in lieu is $1,000 per tree. The $700 deposit is refundable two years after planting if the trees are healthy.

Steps

Check whether the tree is protected and whether an exemption applies.
Apply to the Town for a tree removal permit.
Pay any fee and the security deposit before the permit is issued.
Plant the replacement trees.

Good to know

Fines: a municipal ticket is $2,500 for cutting or removing a protected tree, and $1,500 for breaching a permit, damaging bark, branches or roots, working in the root zone, topping, or planting on Town land without permission. Each day can be ticketed.
The Town's web page lists a flat $100 fee without the one-tree exemption. The bylaw is followed here; confirm with the Town.
To plant on Town land, get written authorization first. To ask the Town to prune or remove a tree on Town-maintained property, use the Town's application form.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Parksville · Lantzville · Port Alberni · Nanaimo · Sechelt · Comox

Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Tree Protection Bylaw No. 725, 2023 (PDF), Town of Qualicum Beach (read 2026-11-06)
Tree Removal, Town of Qualicum Beach (read 2026-11-06)
Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 626 (PDF), Town of Qualicum Beach (read 2026-11-06)

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