Sayward tree removal rules and permits
Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property in Sayward?
The Village of Sayward has no tree-cutting bylaw, so you generally do not need a permit to cut a tree on your own lot. Near streams and ravines, the Official Community Plan requires a riparian assessment for development, which includes removing vegetation. Trees on the boulevard are protected.
Key facts
| When a permit is needed | No tree-cutting bylaw. Within 30 m of the top of bank of streams and ravines under 60 m wide (10 m for wider ravines), the OCP requires a riparian assessment report for any development as defined in the Riparian Areas Regulation, which includes removing vegetation.Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 308, 2000 (PDF, consolidated), OCP s. 3.2(g) Riparian Assessment Areas · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThirty (30) metres from top of the bank on all streams and ravines less that sixty (60) Any development, as defined in the Riparian Areas Regulation, proposed in these areas will |
|---|---|
| Exemptions | Not confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read. |
| Fee | None set. Sayward has no tree-cutting bylaw, so there is no tree permit fee. |
| Replacement trees | None set. Sayward has no tree-cutting bylaw, so it sets no replacement-planting rule. |
| City trees | No one may wilfully injure or damage any boulevard or any tree, shrub, plant, bush or hedge on a boulevard.Public Nuisance Bylaw No. 502, s. 7.5(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingwillfully injure or damage any Boulevard or any tree, shrub, plant, bush |
| Fine | None set. Sayward has no tree-cutting bylaw, so it sets no tree-cutting fine. |
| Bylaw | No tree bylaw. Riparian rule: Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 308, 2000, s. 3.2(g).Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 308, 2000 (PDF, consolidated), OCP s. 3.2(g) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThe Village of Sayward establishes the following areas around streams as a riparian assessment |
How it works
The Village of Sayward has no tree-protection or tree-cutting bylaw. The Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 308 sets a riparian assessment area: 30 m from the top of bank of streams and ravines under 60 m wide, and 10 m for wider ravines. In that area, any development as defined in the Riparian Areas Regulation, which includes removing vegetation, needs a riparian assessment report. The Plan does not say whether cutting a tree counts, so ask the Village Office at 250-282-5512 before cutting near a stream or ravine.
Good to know
- No one may wilfully injure or damage a boulevard or any tree, shrub, plant, bush or hedge on a boulevard (Public Nuisance Bylaw No. 502). Owners must keep the boulevard in front of their property tidy and trimmed (s. 7.3).
- The Village can order owners to trim or remove hazardous trees (s. 7.9).
- The sources state no tree permit fee, no replacement-planting rule and no tree-specific ticket. Public Nuisance Bylaw offences carry a fine of up to $10,000 on conviction (s. 8.2).
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Campbell River · Tahsis · Alert Bay · Courtenay · Cumberland · Comox
Sources
- Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 308, 2000 (PDF, consolidated) (read 2026-11-08)
- Public Nuisance Bylaw No. 502 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 451, 2019 (PDF, consolidated) (read 2026-11-08)
- Staff Directory, Village of Sayward (read 2026-11-08)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 3 of 7 facts was matched to the official text; 3 are recorded as not set; 1 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.