---
title: Squamish tree removal rules and permits
question: "Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property in Squamish?"
place: Squamish, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/squamish
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Squamish
sources_read: 2026-11-09
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/tree-removal/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/tree-removal.json"
---

# Squamish tree removal rules and permits

**Question:** Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property in Squamish?

**Short answer:** Squamish regulates trees 20 centimetres in diameter or larger and has separate rules for environmentally sensitive areas. Check the parcel on the District map, then use the Tree Removal Permit Wizard before cutting.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Squamish, https://squamish.ca)  
**Cost:** The ordinary permit costs $150 plus $5 per tree proposed for removal. Removal before issuance has a $5,150 rate. The schedule lists $150 for a qualifying non-profit habitat restoration project and a 2.4% credit card surcharge.  
**Where:**
- Phone: The planning office, 604-815-5002

## Key facts

- **When a permit is needed:** Check the parcel in the District’s Tree Wizard. The bylaw regulates trees at least 20 cm in diameter outside environmentally sensitive areas. Inside those areas an environmental development permit may be required.
  - Source: [Tree Management, When you need a Tree Management Permit](https://squamish.ca/building-and-land-development/home-land-and-property-development/tree-and-soils-management/tree/)
  - Official wording: "## When you need a Tree Management Permit The Bylaw regulates Trees that are 20 cm Diameter and larger, unless located in an Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA). First determine if the tree you wish to cut is in an ESA. You can visit our WebMap and view the Layer List to see if your property is wholly or partially within an ESA. If the tree is in an ESA, you may require an Environmental Development Permit. Use the Tree Wizard or click on the above infographic to help you determine if a permit is needed."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Exemptions:** Not confirmed. Checked Tree Management - District of Squamish - Hardwired for Adventure; not found there.
- **Fee:** The ordinary permit costs $150 plus $5 per tree proposed for removal. Removal before issuance has a $5,150 rate. The schedule lists $150 for a qualifying non-profit habitat restoration project and a 2.4% credit card surcharge.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3185, 2025, Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3185, section 15.12](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/259432)
  - Official wording: "15.12 Tree Management Permit Application Type Fee per Application Credit Card Surcharge Tree Management Permit $150 plus $5 per tree 2.4% proposed to be removed Tree Management Permit where tree removal $5,150 2.4% occurred prior to Tree Management Permit issuance" … "Tree Management Permit for non-profit organization $150 2.4% for the purpose of a Habitat Restoration Project in accordance with report by qualified professional"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Replacement trees:** The target is 50 trees per hectare outside environmentally sensitive areas. Retain native trees or plant replacements. With District approval, pay $500 per replacement tree that cannot be planted.
  - Source: [Tree Management, Tree density target, Tree Management Bylaw section 7](https://squamish.ca/building-and-land-development/home-land-and-property-development/tree-and-soils-management/tree/)
  - Official wording: "## Tree Density Target The Bylaw seeks to maintain a minimum Tree Density Target (TDT) on each property of 50 trees per hectare, not including any Environmentally Sensitive Area that may be present. (Use the WebMap and view the Layer List to see if your property is wholly or partially within an ESA.) The Tree Density Target may be achieved by: * Retaining Native Trees * Replacing trees on your property to meet your TDT * Paying $500 into the District’s Environmental Reserve Fund for each Replacement Tree that may not be planted pending District approval. (For more detailed information on Tree Density Targets, please refer to the Tree Management Bylaw Section 7)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **City trees:** Not confirmed. Checked Tree Management - District of Squamish - Hardwired for Adventure; not found there.
- **Fine:** A notice for prohibited cutting, removal or damage is $500 ($450 within 14 days, $550 after 28 days).
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2418, 2015, Tree Management schedule, section 5.1, and section 5](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/200801)
  - Official wording: "(b) if received by the District within fourteen (14) days of the person receiving or being presumed to have received the bylaw notice, the discounted penalty set out in Column 2 opposite the contravention; (c) if more than twenty-eight (28) days after the person received or is presumed to have received the bylaw notice, the late penalty set out in Column 3 opposite the contravention; or" … "District of Squamish Tree Management Bylaw No. 2640, 2018 (Amended as per Bylaw 2714) Designated Bylaw Contraventions and Penalties Early payment Late payment Compliance penalty within 14 penalty after 28 agreement Penalty days days reduced penalty Section Description" … "5.1(a) Cut $500 $450 $550 No 5.1(a)(e) Removal $500 $450 $550 No 5.1(a) Damage $500 $450 $550 No 5.1(a) Death $500 $450 $550 No 5.1(b) Damaging Activity $500 $450 $550 No"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Bylaw:** Not confirmed. Checked Tree Management - District of Squamish - Hardwired for Adventure; not found there.

## How it works

Identify the tree and where it stands before arranging its removal. Mark the trunk on a sketch showing lot lines, the street, watercourses and any proposed construction. The applicable approval can depend on the location as well as the tree itself. The target is 50 trees per hectare outside environmentally sensitive areas. Retain native trees or plant replacements. With District approval, pay $500 per replacement tree that cannot be planted.

## Steps

1. For the local removal or planning process, consult [Tree Management](https://squamish.ca/building-and-land-development/home-land-and-property-development/tree-and-soils-management/tree/). Check the local tree or development-permit information for the property. If ownership or the boundary is uncertain, establish that first.
2. Describe the reason for removal and whether you are applying as part of a building or subdivision project. Ask what evidence is required before relying on an exemption.

## Good to know

- The ordinary permit costs $150 plus $5 per tree proposed for removal. Removal before issuance has a $5,150 rate. The schedule lists $150 for a qualifying non-profit habitat restoration project and a 2.4% credit card surcharge.
- Check the parcel in the District’s Tree Wizard. The bylaw regulates trees at least 20 cm in diameter outside environmentally sensitive areas. Inside those areas an environmental development permit may be required.
- Find your Squamish property on the Parcel & Land Use Map.
- Keep a copy of any plan, assessment and written approval with the project records. If the scope changes from pruning to removal, ask about the work you now propose.
- For a question about the tree’s size, location and ownership and whether approval is required, call the planning office at 604-815-5002. Identify the trunk on a site plan if the lot line is close.
- Read the applicable provisions in [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3185, 2025 (PDF)](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/259432) and [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2418, 2015 (PDF)](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/200801).

## Related questions

- [Squamish secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/secondary-suite.md)
- [Squamish zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/zoning-lookup.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tree-removal.md)
- [Lions Bay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lions-bay/tree-removal.md)
- [Bowen Island](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/bowen-island/tree-removal.md)
- [West Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-vancouver/tree-removal.md)
- [Gibsons](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/tree-removal.md)
- [District of North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/tree-removal.md)
- [North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/tree-removal.md)

## Sources

- [Tree Management](https://squamish.ca/building-and-land-development/home-land-and-property-development/tree-and-soils-management/tree/) (read 2026-11-09)
- [FAQ - Building Permit](https://squamish.ca/building-and-land-development/building-permit/faq-building-permit/) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3185, 2025 (PDF)](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/259432) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2418, 2015 (PDF)](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/200801) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Squamish municipal office contact information](https://squamish.ca/about/contact-and-feedback/) (read 2026-11-09)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 4 of 7 facts was matched to the official text; 3 could not be confirmed. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of Squamish. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/tree-removal/_