Revelstoke tree removal rules and permits

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

Revelstoke, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

Revelstoke has no bylaw requiring a permit to cut an ordinary tree on private land. But the Official Community Plan requires a development permit before land clearing in a development permit area, and the environmental areas cover all land. Trees on City land need a permit.

Key facts

When a permit is needed	No bylaw requiring a permit to cut trees on private land in general was found. However, the OCP requires a development permit before land clearing in a development permit area. The Environmentally Sensitive and Environmentally Hazardous areas apply to all land in the City (mapped areas, riparian areas, slopes of 30% or more), so ask Development Services before clearing.Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 2332, OCP Part 5, s. 5.2, 5.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording In all DPAs, a Development Permit must be approved before land is subdivided or development occurs, including but not limited to land clearing, preparation for the construction of services or roads, blasting, The Environmentally Sensitive Development Permit Area applies to all land within the City boundaries. The Environmentally Hazardous Development Permit Area applies to all land within City boundaries.
Exemptions	From a development permit: land alteration without construction solely to restore an environmental feature or remove an invasive species (restoration plan first); development where a qualified environmental professional confirms no sensitive features. Land clearing is exempt in the Downtown, Scenic Corridor, Multi-family, Commercial and Industrial areas only, not from the City-wide environmental areas. No hazard tree or ALR rule found.Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 2332, OCP s. 5.1.1, 5.1.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording (a) Development within an environmentally sensitive area for which a Qualified (c) Land alteration without construction where the alteration is occurring solely for the restoration of an environmental feature or the removal of an invasive species. A (j) Land alteration and clearing, except within Revelstoke Mountain Resort (j) Land alteration and clearing, except within Revelstoke Mountain Resort The Environmentally Hazardous Development Permit Area applies to all land within City boundaries.
Fee	Not confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read.
Replacement trees	Not confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read.
City trees	No one except Parks Department staff or contractors may plant, prune, remove or damage a tree on City-owned or City-managed land without a permit from the Parks Foreman. No soil compaction, soil removal or hard surface within a City tree's drip line. Anyone who removes or damages a City tree must pay equitable compensation set by a qualified arborist.Municipal Property Tree Bylaw No. 1792, consolidated, Municipal Property Tree Bylaw No. 1792, s. 4, 8 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording a) No person other than an employee or authorized contractor of the Parks Department shall plant, prune, remove or cause damage to any tree on any property, owned or managed by the City, without first having obtained a permit issued by the Parks Foreman. constructing a hard or impervious surface within the Drip Line. Equitable compensation for the value of a City tree, as appraised by a Qualified Arborist
Fine	City trees only. Municipal ticket: $2,000 for removing a municipal tree, $1,000 for damaging or pruning one, $500 for planting one without a permit. Court: $2,500 to $10,000 per tree. No ticket for cutting a private tree was found.Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 2082, Schedule 2; Municipal Property Tree Bylaw No. 1792, consolidated, Tree Bylaw s. 12 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Removal of municipal tree 4. a) $2000.00 N/A Cause damage to municipal tree 4. a) $1000.00 N/A Prune municipal tree 4. a) $1000.00 N/A Plant tree on municipal property 4. a) $500.00 N/A b) to a fine and penalty not exceeding Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) and not less than Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00), upon summary conviction.
Bylaw	City of Revelstoke Municipal Property Tree Bylaw No. 1792 (City land only)Municipal Property Tree Bylaw No. 1792, consolidated, Tree Bylaw s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording City of Revelstoke Municipal Property Tree

How it works

The City has no bylaw requiring a permit to cut trees on private land in general. However, the Official Community Plan requires a development permit before land clearing in a development permit area. The Environmentally Sensitive and Environmentally Hazardous areas apply to all land in the City (mapped areas, riparian areas, and slopes of 30% or more), so ask Development Services before clearing.

The OCP exempts land clearing from a development permit only in the Downtown, Scenic Corridor, Multi-family, Commercial and Industrial areas, not from the City-wide environmental areas. Also exempt: land alteration without construction solely to restore an environmental feature or remove an invasive species (with a restoration plan first), and development where a qualified environmental professional confirms there are no sensitive features.

Good to know

City trees: the Municipal Property Tree Bylaw 1792 covers trees on land the City owns or controls, including boulevards. No one except Parks staff or contractors may plant, prune, remove or damage one without a permit from the Parks Foreman. No soil compaction, soil removal or hard surface within the drip line. Anyone who removes or damages a City tree must pay compensation set by a qualified arborist.
Fines for City trees: municipal tickets are $2,000 for removing one, $1,000 for damaging or pruning one, and $500 for planting one without a permit. A court fine is $2,500 to $10,000 per tree.
No ticket for cutting a private tree was found.
No replacement planting requirement and no hazard-tree rule for private trees was found. Ask Development Services if your tree is a hazard.
Ask the Parks Department before touching a boulevard tree.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Enderby · Nakusp · Armstrong · Spallumcheen · Golden · Lumby

Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 2332 (PDF), City of Revelstoke (read 2026-11-05)
Municipal Property Tree Bylaw No. 1792, consolidated (PDF), City of Revelstoke (read 2026-11-05)
Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 2082, Schedule 2 (PDF), City of Revelstoke (read 2026-11-05)
Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2256, consolidated (PDF), City of Revelstoke (read 2026-11-05)

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. How answers are checked.