Rossland tree removal rules and permits

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

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

Short answer

In Rossland, you need a City Tree Management Permit to cut or remove a tree (a single trunk at least 20 cm across at 1.4 m high) unless an exemption applies. One exemption is a residential parcel of 930 m² or less with a dwelling, with exceptions. The application fee is $50.

Key facts

When a permit is needed	A Tree Management Permit is needed to cut, remove, kill or damage any tree (single trunk at least 20 cm across at 1.4 m high) anywhere in the City, unless exempt. Land in the wildfire interface, within 30 m of a stream, or with a 30% or greater slope may also need a development permit; the OCP exempts only hazard-tree removal.Tree Management Bylaw No. 2769, 2021, ss. 2, 3, 4; Other Planning Permits, Tree Management; Official Community Plan, development permit area section, OCP s. 17.1.1 (DPA 13); see also OCP ss. 16.1.2, 16.4.7, 18.1.1, 18.4.4 (documents 24844, 24848) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Unless otherwise exempted by this Bylaw, this Bylaw applies to all lands within the boundaries of the City of Rossland. Cut or remove any Tree or Replacement Tree, or cause the death of any Tree or Replacement Tree, except pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of a valid and subsisting Permit; diameter of at least 20 centimetres (8 inches) when measured at a height of 1.4 metres above the undisturbed utilizes a tree management bylaw to prohibit the cutting down, damaging and removal of trees within the City. apply to all Subdivision or development, including land clearing, grading, and filling on properties with a 30% or greater slope on any portion of the site.
Exemptions	No permit for: any tree on a residential parcel of 930 m² or less with a dwelling (but a permit is still needed for significant trees, slopes over 20%, within 10 m of knotweed, or replacement trees); a hazard tree (certified in writing by a Certified Tree Risk Assessor); a tree severely damaged by nature posing imminent danger; trees removed for an approved building permit, driveway or utilities; farm operations; and City or utility works.Tree Management Bylaw No. 2769, 2021, s. 5.1; Tree Management Bylaw No. 2769, 2021, s. 2 (Hazard Tree) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording from a Parcel that is 930 sq. m. (10,000 square feet) in size or less that is and zoned for residential use, and upon which a residential dwelling is situated exists, unless the Tree proposed to be cut or removed is: on a slope where the grade of the slope at the location of the tree is greater than 20 percent; within 10 meters of a Knotweed [Fallopiajaponica] plant; That is a Hazard Tree. that has been severely damaged by natural causes and poses an imminent danger of injuring a person or property; that must be removed in order to permit the construction and safe occupancy of buildings authorized by a building permit. pursuant to works undertaken by or for the City; "Hazard Tree" means a tree identified in writing by a Certified Tree Risk Assessor
Fee	$50 (tree removal permit application fee, non-refundable per the Tree Management Bylaw).Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2863, 2025, Schedule B, Other Fees; Tree Management Bylaw No. 2769, 2021, s. 6.3(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Tree Removal Permit $50 a non-refundab\|e application fee in the amount
Replacement trees	When a permit is issued, plant two replacement trees for each tree cut, on the same parcel within 12 months (conifers at least 1.5 m tall; deciduous at least 7 cm base diameter), with a $300 security deposit per replacement tree. None for a hazard tree or an exempt tree. The Manager may instead approve a $300 payment per unplanted tree.Tree Management Bylaw No. 2769, 2021, s. 6 (Replacement Trees) and s. 7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording plant on the Parcel from which a Tree is cut or removed two (2) Replacement Trees for each Tree that is cut or removed from the Parcel The Replacement Tree shall be planted within 12 months must be in the amount of $300 for each Replacement Tree. A Replacement Tree is not required if the Tree that has been cut or removed is a Hazard Tree. Approve payment to the City of $300 for each Replacement Tree that is not planted Except as may be provided by section 5 of this Bylaw, the Owner of a Parcel shall, plant on A Permit is not required to cut or remove a Tree in the following circumstances:
City trees	No separate boulevard tree rules found. The Tree Management Bylaw applies to all lands in the City (works by or for the City are exempt). Under the Traffic and Highways Bylaw, owners must not let trees or vegetation obstruct or damage a sidewalk, boulevard or highway (s. 5.12(c)).Traffic and Highways Bylaw No. 2689, 2019, s. 5.12(c) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording cause or allow trees, shrubs, or other vegetation to remain that physically obstructs or visibly impairs pedestrian and vehicle traffic on a sidewalk, boulevard or highway
Fine	Up to $50,000 plus costs of prosecution on conviction; each tree cut without a permit is a separate offence. The bylaw can also be enforced by bylaw notice under Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2749, 2021.Tree Management Bylaw No. 2769, 2021, s. 9 (Offences and Penalties) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording is liable upon summary conviction to pay a fine of not more than $50,000, plus the costs of prosecution This Bylaw may be enforced by bylaw notice pursuant to the Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2749, 2021, as amendedor replaced. a separate offence is committed in respect of each such Tree.
Bylaw	City of Rossland Tree Management Bylaw No. 2769, 2021Tree Management Bylaw No. 2769, 2021, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording City of Rossland Tree Management Bylaw No. 2769, 2021

How it works

The City of Rossland's Tree Management Bylaw 2769 applies to all lands in the City. It requires a Tree Management Permit to cut, remove, kill or damage any tree (a single trunk at least 20 cm across at 1.4 m high), unless an exemption applies. The Manager of Planning and Development issues permits. When a permit is issued, you must plant replacements (below). Exempt trees need no replacement.

Land in the wildfire interface, within 30 m of a stream, or with a slope of 30% or more may also need a development permit under the Official Community Plan. Its riparian and wildfire interface areas exempt only hazard-tree removal.

Steps

Check whether an exemption applies (below).
If not, complete the Tree Management Permit Application and pay the $50 fee. The City page does not say where to submit it; ask Planning and Development (250-362-2329 or development.services@rossland.ca).
If the permit is issued, plant two replacement trees for each tree cut, on the same parcel within 12 months. Conifers must be at least 1.5 m tall; deciduous trees at least 7 cm base diameter. Pay a $300 security deposit per replacement tree.

Good to know

No permit is needed for any tree on a residential parcel of 930 m² or less with a dwelling. A permit is still needed there for significant trees, slopes over 20%, within 10 m of knotweed, or replacement trees.
Also exempt: a hazard tree certified in writing by a Certified Tree Risk Assessor, a tree severely damaged by nature posing imminent danger, trees removed for an approved building permit, driveway or utilities, farm operations, and City or utility works.
Replacement trees must be maintained for 12 months and replaced if not alive. The Manager may instead approve a $300 payment per unplanted tree.
The bylaw has no separate rules for boulevard or City-owned trees. The Traffic and Highways Bylaw says owners must not let trees or vegetation obstruct or damage a sidewalk, boulevard or highway.
Penalty: up to $50,000 plus costs on conviction, and each tree cut without a permit is a separate offence. The bylaw can also be enforced by bylaw notice, but the notice amounts could not be read in the City's copy.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Trail · Montrose · Fruitvale · Castlegar · Grand Forks · Nelson

Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Tree Management Bylaw No. 2769, 2021 (PDF), City of Rossland (read 2026-11-05)
Other Planning Permits, City of Rossland (read 2026-11-05)
Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2863, 2025 (PDF), City of Rossland (read 2026-11-05)
Official Community Plan, development permit area section (PDF), City of Rossland (read 2026-11-05)
Traffic and Highways Bylaw No. 2689, 2019 (PDF), City of Rossland (read 2026-11-05)
Zoning & Rezoning, City of Rossland (read 2026-11-05)

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