{"title":"Smithers tree removal rules and permits","question":"Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property?","slug":"tree-removal","place":{"path":"ca/bc/smithers","name":"Smithers","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"building-and-renovating","name":"Building, renovating and your property"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"Town of Smithers","url":"https://www.smithers.ca"},"short_answer":"In Smithers, no tree may be cut in a development permit area until a development permit is issued. In the Natural Environment and Hazardous Lands area a permit is needed to cut more than 2 trees a calendar year. The permit application fee is $30 for the first 3 trees.","aliases":["tree removal smithers","cut down tree smithers","tree permit smithers","tree preservation bylaw smithers"],"cost":"$30 for the first 3 trees and $5 for each additional tree (non-refundable). No fee for a permit to cut or prune a dead, dying, damaged or hazardous tree.","how_long":"The Town does not state a processing time. Call Development Services at 250-847-1600.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Development Services","value":"250-847-1600","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m."},{"type":"in_person","label":"Town Hall","value":"1027 Aldous Street, Smithers, BC"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Tree Preservation Bylaw No. 1365","url":"https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/160507/"}],"related":[{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Smithers zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Smithers building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/building-permit/"},{"slug":"bylaw-fines","title":"Smithers bylaw fines and how tickets work","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/bylaw-fines/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/telkwa","name":"Telkwa","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/telkwa/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/houston","name":"Houston","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/houston/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/terrace","name":"Terrace","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/fraser-lake","name":"Fraser Lake","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fraser-lake/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/fort-st-james","name":"Fort St James","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-james/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-edward","name":"Port Edward","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-edward/tree-removal/"}],"topic":{"title":"Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tree-removal/"},"facts":{"permit_needed":{"label":"When a permit is needed","value":"Land in a development permit area: no tree may be cut before a development permit is issued. Natural Environment and Hazardous Lands: a permit is needed to cut more than 2 trees a calendar year. No cutting within 15 m of a watercourse (limited exceptions). Protected trees (over 6 cm) on urban land: only as directed by the Town, except on urban lots under 2,000 m².","short":"Yes in development permit areas (more than 2 trees a year)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/160507/","title":"Tree Preservation Bylaw No. 1365, 2001 (consolidated to January 23, 2020), Town of Smithers","section":"s. 1(i), 1(m), s. 3(a), 3(c), s. 4, s. 5(a)","quotes":["Any tree having a diameter greater than 6 (2.4 inches)","No person shall cut down a protected tree growing on urban land","No person shall cut down a tree growing on any land designated as","No person shall cut down a tree growing within 15 (49.21 feet) metres of","No person shall without first obtaining a permit cut down more than 2","Growing on an urban lot less than 2,000 (21,528 sq feet) sq"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"exemptions":{"label":"Exemptions","value":"Not covered by the Town-direction rule (s. 3(a)): protected trees on urban lots under 2,000 m²; on larger lots, trees removed for a building, driveway, required parking, septic or utilities; trees allowed by a development permit. These do not override the development permit area, 15 m watercourse or steep-slope rules. Dead, dying or unstable trees: no-charge permit (s. 11). Emergency removal of a storm-damaged tree about to fall: no permit (s. 12).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/160507/","title":"Tree Preservation Bylaw No. 1365, 2001 (consolidated to January 23, 2020), Town of Smithers","section":"s. 3(b), s. 12","quotes":["Growing on an urban lot less than 2,000 (21,528 sq feet) sq","Required for the construction or installation of a driveway, required off-street","Permitted by an approved Development Permit issued by the","The tree or limb of the tree has been severely damaged by a natural cause,","The tree or limb of the tree is in imminent danger of falling and","The tree is dead, dying, severely damaged, unstable or severely leaning and in danger of falling, or","There shall be no charge for a permit issued under this section."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee":{"label":"Fee","value":"$30 for the first 3 trees and $5 for each additional tree (non-refundable application fee). No fee for a permit to cut or prune a dead, dying, damaged or hazardous tree.","short":"$30 for first 3 trees, $5 per extra tree","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/278063/","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2003, Section 7, Town of Smithers","section":"Section 7, Tree Removal Permits","quotes":["Application Fee for the First 3 Trees $30.00","Application for Each Additional Tree $5.00"]},{"url":"https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/160507/","title":"Tree Preservation Bylaw No. 1365, 2001 (consolidated to January 23, 2020), Town of Smithers","section":"s. 11(c)","quotes":["There shall be no charge for a permit issued under this section."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"replacement":{"label":"Replacement trees","value":"Anyone who cuts or damages a tree against the bylaw or a permit must plant a replacement of the same species in about the same place (size and timing set by the Town), maintain it, and give security of 120% of the cost of replacing and maintaining it for 3 years.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/160507/","title":"Tree Preservation Bylaw No. 1365, 2001 (consolidated to January 23, 2020), Town of Smithers","section":"s. 13","quotes":["Plant a replacement tree of the same species in approximately the","Provide to the municipality security in the amount of 120% of the"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"city_trees":{"label":"City trees","value":"Protected trees on Town land (parks, the Perimeter Trail, highways) cannot be cut unless directed by the Town's Director of Operational Services. In parks, no one may cut down, top, deface or remove any trees, or plant a tree without the Director's authorization.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/160507/","title":"Tree Preservation Bylaw No. 1365, 2001 (consolidated to January 23, 2020), Town of Smithers","section":"s. 1(m), s. 3(a)","quotes":["all public lands owned by the Town of Smithers including","No person shall cut down a protected tree growing on urban land"]},{"url":"https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/284671/","title":"Parks and Open Spaces Bylaw No. 2007, Town of Smithers","section":"s. 3.3(b), (c)","quotes":["Destroy, damage, cut down, top, deface or remove any trees.","Plant any tree, sapling, shrub, flower, or other vegetation unless authorized to"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw notice: $400 ($200 if paid within 14 days; $500 after 28 days) for unauthorized removal of a protected tree, failing to obtain a permit, and similar offences. Court: a fine of not less than $500 for each tree cut or damaged (first offence), not less than $1,000 for each later offence.","short":"Notice $400 ($200 if paid in 14 days)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/290948/","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2011, Town of Smithers","section":"Schedule A, Tree Preservation Bylaw No. 1365","quotes":["Unauthorized removal of protected tree 3(a) 400.00 200.00 500.00 NO","Fail to obtain permit 5(a) 400.00 200.00 500.00 YES"]},{"url":"https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/160507/","title":"Tree Preservation Bylaw No. 1365, 2001 (consolidated to January 23, 2020), Town of Smithers","section":"s. 16(a)","quotes":["fine of not less than $500.00 for each tree unlawfully cut down or","fine of not less than $1,000.00 for each tree unlawfully cut down or damaged."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Tree Preservation Bylaw No. 1365, 2001 (consolidated to January 23, 2020)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/160507/","title":"Tree Preservation Bylaw No. 1365, 2001 (consolidated to January 23, 2020), Town of Smithers","section":"Title and s. 17","quotes":["TREE PRESERVATION BYLAW NO. 1365, 2001"]},{"url":"https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/160507/","title":"Tree Preservation Bylaw No. 1365, 2001 (consolidated to January 23, 2020), Town of Smithers","section":"Cover","quotes":["Consolidated to January 23, 2020"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":7,"stated":7,"matched":7,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe [Tree Preservation Bylaw No. 1365](https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/160507/) is from 2001 (consolidated to January 23, 2020) and still refers to older zoning and OCP bylaws, so confirm current details with the Town.\n\n- **Development permit area:** no tree may be cut before a development permit is issued.\n- **Natural Environment and Hazardous Lands area:** a permit is needed to cut more than 2 trees in a calendar year.\n- **Watercourses:** no cutting within 15 m of a watercourse, with limited exceptions.\n- **Protected trees** (over 6 cm) on urban land: removal only as the Town directs, except on urban lots under 2,000 m². \"Urban land\" includes that area plus all Town land (parks, the Perimeter Trail, highways).\n\nOn larger lots the Town-direction rule does not cover trees removed for a building, driveway, required parking, septic or utilities, or trees allowed by a development permit. Those exemptions do not override the development permit area, 15 m watercourse or steep-slope rules.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Call 250-847-1600 to find out whether your property is in a development permit area.\n2. Apply for a permit with a plan showing the location, species and diameter of the trees. Flag or paint the trees.\n3. Pay the application fee ($30 for the first 3 trees, $5 for each additional tree).\n4. For a dead, dying, unstable or hazardous tree, ask for the no-charge permit. If a storm-damaged tree is about to fall, it can be removed without a permit.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Anyone who cuts or damages a tree against the bylaw or a permit must plant a replacement of the same species in about the same place, maintain it, and give security of 120% of the cost of replacing and maintaining it for 3 years.\n- Town trees: protected trees on Town land cannot be cut unless the Director of Operational Services directs it. In parks, no one may cut, top, deface or remove trees without the Director's authorization (Parks and Open Spaces Bylaw No. 2007).\n- The Town can order owners to trim or remove hazardous trees within 5 days of notice, or do it at the owner's cost.\n- Penalties: the bylaw notice Penalty amount is $400 (check the amount on your notice). In court, the fine is not less than $500 for each tree cut or damaged, and not less than $1,000 for each later offence.","sources":[{"url":"https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/160507/","title":"Tree Preservation Bylaw No. 1365, 2001 (consolidated to January 23, 2020), Town of Smithers","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/278063/","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2003, Section 7, Town of Smithers","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/290948/","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2011, Town of Smithers","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/284671/","title":"Parks and Open Spaces Bylaw No. 2007, Town of Smithers","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.smithers.ca/contact-us","title":"Contact Us, Town of Smithers","accessed":"2026-11-06"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-06","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/tree-removal/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/tree-removal.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/tree-removal.json"}}