Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality
130 placesWhat the bylaws of 130 places in British Columbia say on the same question, side by side. Each cell is a short form of a fact that is sourced, quoted and checked on the place's own page.
| Place | When a permit is needed | Fee | Fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 Mile House | No tree permit; development permit in designated areas | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Abbotsford | Yes, for trees 20 cm or more across | $59 application fee (non-refundable) | Notice $500 ($450 if paid in 14 days); ticket $1,000 |
| Alert Bay | Yes, for trees over 31.5 cm in trunk circumference | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Anmore | Yes, for trees 20 cm or more in diameter | $500 permit ($10 annual allowance permit) | Notice $500 per tree; ticket $1,000 per tree |
| Armstrong | No, except development permit areas | No tree permit fee; $700 if development permit needed | No ticket for private tree; $100 for park tree |
| Ashcroft | No tree bylaw; development permit in mapped areas | No tree permit fee; $500 if development permit needed | None set |
| Barriere | No general permit; riparian rules near water | None set | No ticket; up to $2,000 in court (public land) |
| Bowen Island | No, except development permit areas | No tree fee; $350 if development permit needed | No tree-specific fine; $500 in public place |
| Burnaby | Yes, for conifers 30.5 cm or wider; broadleaf 45.7 cm | $97 per tree, max $691 ($207 per tree with development) | Notice $500 ($400 if paid in 15 days) |
| Campbell River | No, except near watercourses and eagle nests | No tree fee; $2,000 if development permit needed | $125 for highway trees; $200 boulevard tree |
| Canal Flats | No, except development permit areas | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Castlegar | No, except development permit areas | Not confirmed | No tree ticket; $200 for no development permit |
| Central Saanich | Yes, for trees 30 cm or more across | $75 plus $25 per tree, up to $200 | $50 per centimetre of trunk diameter plus $500 security |
| Chilliwack | No general permit; only with development applications | None set | No ticket; $2,000 to $10,000 in court |
| Clearwater | No, except inside development permit areas | No tree fee; $250 or $500 if development permit needed | Ticket $100 for boulevard; none found for private land |
| Coldstream | Yes, protected trees over 5 m tall (parcels 0.5 ha+) | Not confirmed | No ticket; up to $2,000 in court |
| Colwood | Yes, for protected trees (30 cm DBH for common species) | $100 application fee (non-refundable) | Notice $500 per tree; ticket $1,000 per tree |
| Comox | Yes, for regulated trees (20 cm or 30 cm DBH) | $50 ($100 if related to a development permit) | Notice $500 |
| Coquitlam | Yes, to remove more than two protected trees a year | $71.50 basic ($358 if more review needed) | Notice $500; ticket $1,000 |
| Courtenay | Yes, for trees over 20 cm diameter on larger lots | $100 (lots of 4,000 m² or less); $500 for larger lots | Ticket $1,000 ($750 if paid in 30 days) |
| Cranbrook | No tree bylaw; development permit in mapped areas | Tree charge not confirmed; development permit $1,000 | No ticket for private land; $300 for boulevard |
| Creston | No tree bylaw; development permit in some areas | No tree fee; development permit $200 or $500 | No private-land ticket; $75 for street trees |
| Cumberland | No, except development permit areas | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Dawson Creek | No, except Natural Hazards area | No tree fee; $489.16 if development permit needed | No private-tree ticket; $175 for City tree |
| Delta | Yes, for trees 20 cm or more across | $100 for one tree ($100 plus $50 per tree for more) | Notice $500 ($450 if paid in 14 days); ticket $1,000 |
| District of North Vancouver | Yes, for protected trees and trees 75 cm DBH or more | $116 per tree for up to four trees | Notice $500 ($375 if paid in 14 days); ticket $1,000 |
| Duncan | Yes, for Protected Trees (30 cm DBH any tree) | $50 ($100 for a Significant Tree) | Notice $375 ($281.25 if paid in 14 days) |
| Elkford | No tree bylaw; riparian area rules apply | $300 if development permit needed | Not confirmed |
| Enderby | No, except within 30 m of watercourse | None set | None set |
| Esquimalt | Yes, for Protected Trees (30 cm DBH any tree) | $30 for first three trees, $5 per extra tree | Notice $500 ($425 if paid early) |
| Fernie | No city-wide permit; development permit in hazard areas | No tree fee; $600 to $1,000 if development permit needed | Not confirmed |
| Fort St James | No tree bylaw; development permit in mapped areas | Not confirmed | No private-land ticket; $100 for park vegetation |
| Fort St. John | No tree protection bylaw | None set | None set |
| Fraser Lake | Yes, for trees more than 10 cm in diameter | Not confirmed | Notice $300 ($150 early; $500 late) |
| Fruitvale | No tree bylaw; development permit in mapped areas | Tree charge not confirmed; development permit $200 | Not confirmed |
| Gibsons | Yes, for trees 30 cm DBH or more | $50 for up to 3 trees (non-refundable) | Notice $400 ($350 if paid early) |
| Golden | No, except within 30 m of creeks and lakes | Not confirmed | No private-tree fine; $100 for boulevard tree |
| Grand Forks | No, except Environmental development permit area | No tree fee; $200 if development permit needed | No private-tree ticket; $100 for park tree |
| Harrison Hot Springs | Yes, for trees 7.5 m or taller, trunk 300 mm or more | $40 application fee (non-refundable) | $200 ($190 early) |
| Highlands | Yes, for protected trees and near lot lines | $25 for each 50 trees or portion | Notice $200 ($160 if paid in 14 days); ticket $200 |
| Hope | Yes, for trees over 20 cm across | A non-refundable application fee applies (a base fee plus an amount… | Notice $500 ($400 if paid in 14 days); ticket $1,000 |
| Houston | None set | None set | Not confirmed |
| Invermere | Yes, for trees over 80 cm across; near lot lines | $100 for each 50 trees or portion | Ticket $250 for no permit |
| Kamloops | No for residential parcels under 2 ha | $50 for five trees or fewer ($150 for six or more) | Ticket $1,000 |
| Kaslo | No, except Stream Protection area (30 m) | No tree fee; $250 if development permit needed | No private-tree ticket; $250 for park trees |
| Kelowna | Yes, trees over 100 mm in riparian area or slope 30%+ | $50 (may be waived with a development permit) | Notice $200 |
| Kent | No general permit; only with development applications | None set | No ticket; $2,000 to $10,000 in court |
| Keremeos | No tree bylaw; development permit near watercourses | Not confirmed | No private-tree ticket; $1,000 for boulevard tree |
| Kimberley | Some zones: tree permit areas and slopes over 26% | $50 for up to one hundred trees | None set |
| Ladysmith | No general permit; development permit in some areas | No tree fee; $250 if development permit needed | No ticket found for private land |
| Lake Country | No, except development permit areas | No tree fee; $140 to $1,670 if development permit area | No private-tree ticket; up to $50,000 in court |
| Lake Cowichan | Yes, in designated Development Permit Areas | $100 for a Development Permit Area permit | None set |
| Langford | Yes, for trees 20 cm or more in diameter | No application fee | Ticket $1,000 per tree |
| Langley City | Yes, for protected trees (20 cm DBH with development) | $100 ($300 if related to a development application) | Ticket $3,000 |
| Lantzville | Cutting prohibited on land with no house (trees over 20 cm) | None set | $10,000 to $50,000 on conviction |
| Lillooet | No tree bylaw; development permit within 30 m of watercourse | No tree fee; $200 if development permit needed | None set |
| Lions Bay | No on private land; municipal land only | $75 application fee plus $500 damage deposit | Notice $1,000 first tree, $3,000 later (municipal trees) |
| Lumby | No, except near watercourses | No tree fee; $500 if development permit needed | No private-land ticket; $150 for public place |
| Lytton | The Village suspended its OCP Development Permit and Temporary Use… | None set | None set |
| Maple Ridge | Yes, for trees 20 cm DBH or larger | $70 first tree per year, $100 each additional | Notice $450 ($400 if paid early); ticket $3,000 |
| Merritt | No, except wildfire and riparian development permit areas | No tree fee; $368.12 if development permit needed | No private-tree ticket; $100 for park tree |
| Metchosin | Yes, for trees 10 cm or more in diameter | $40 for first 50 trees, $2 per extra tree | Ticket $500 if paid in 30 days, $1,000 after |
| Mission | Some zones: trees 20 cm or more in Silverdale urban area | Not confirmed | $1,000 to $10,000 on conviction |
| Montrose | No tree bylaw; development permit in mapped areas | Not confirmed | No ticket; Offence Act maximum applies |
| Nakusp | No tree bylaw; development permit in mapped areas | No tree fee; $500 to $1,650 if development permit needed | None set |
| Nanaimo | Yes, for stems 6 cm or more across (some exemptions) | $50 plus $10 per tree 6 cm or more across | Notice $500 |
| Nelson | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | No private-tree ticket; $500 for City tree |
| New Westminster | Yes, for trees 20 cm or more in diameter | $106 per tree for first 5 ($211 each after) | Notice $500 ($475 if paid early); ticket $1,000 |
| North Cowichan | No, except development permit areas | Not confirmed | No private-land ticket; highway tree notice $200 |
| North Saanich | Yes, for trees 20 cm or more across | $150 plus $25 per tree | Ticket $500 ($390 if paid in 30 days) |
| North Vancouver | No on low-density lots; yes for 20 cm trees elsewhere | $182.25 base plus $78.11 per tree | $450 ($400 if paid early) |
| Oak Bay | Yes, for trees over 30 cm dbh and listed species | $50 (tree over 30 cm dbh) | Ticket $1,000 ($780 if paid in 30 days) |
| Oliver | Development permit in Watercourse area; no tree bylaw found | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Osoyoos | No, except development permit areas | No tree fee; $500 or $750 if development permit needed | No private-land ticket; boulevard notice $500 |
| Parksville | Yes, for trees over 50 cm across; near watercourses | $75 per tree for first 5 trees | Notice $500 ($375 if paid in 14 days); ticket $1,000 |
| Peachland | Yes, unless exempt (such as trees under 150 mm DBH) | $0 to apply; $50 when permit issued | Notice $250 ($225 if paid in 14 days) |
| Penticton | No, except riparian and environmental areas | No fee for plain private-tree cut | No private-tree ticket; up to $2,000 per City tree |
| Pitt Meadows | Yes, for woody plants 20 cm DBH or more | $50 plus $50 per tree | Notice $500 |
| Port Alberni | No private-land permit; development permit in mapped areas | No tree fee; $800 if development permit needed | No private-tree fine; boulevard tree notice $200 |
| Port Alice | Development permit in mapped areas; tree permit unclear | $50 per tree | Not confirmed |
| Port Coquitlam | Yes, for trees 5 m tall or 15 cm across | $100 per tree | Notice $500 (no early-payment discount) |
| Port Edward | Yes, in designated Tree Protection Areas | $300 per half hectare or part | No ticket; up to $10,000 |
| Port Hardy | No, except listed sensitive areas | $32 for 1 to 10 trees | Ticket $100 |
| Port Moody | Yes, for trees 30 cm DBH or larger | $75 (no development approval) | Ticket $1,000 per tree |
| Pouce Coupe | No private-land permit stated | Not confirmed | No private-land ticket; highway trees $100 |
| Powell River | Yes, for 20 cm trees on parcels of 1 ha or more | $150 per 0.5 ha or part of parcel | Notice $400 ($40 less if paid in 14 days) |
| Prince George | Only in AG: Greenbelt zone and riparian areas | $150 processing fee plus $1,000 application fee | No ticket; $2,000 to $10,000 in court |
| Prince Rupert | Tree permit exists; scope unclear | $25 application fee | No private-land ticket; highway trees $150 |
| Princeton | No, except riparian development permit area | No tree fee; $625 if development permit needed | None set |
| Qualicum Beach | Yes, for trees 30 cm or more across and listed species | $100 for two or more trees in two calendar years | Ticket $2,500 |
| Quesnel | Development permit in mapped areas | $25 for 1 to 10 trees | Not confirmed |
| Radium Hot Springs | No tree bylaw; Wildfire development permit area applies | No tree fee; $700 or $420 if development permit needed | Not confirmed |
| Revelstoke | No general permit; development permit in mapped areas | Not confirmed | No private-tree ticket; City tree removal ticket $2,000 |
| Richmond | Yes, for trees 20 cm or more in diameter | $70 for one tree ($84.25 per tree for two or more) | Ticket $1,000 |
| Rossland | Yes, for trees at least 20 cm across | $50 application fee (non-refundable) | Up to $50,000 on conviction |
| Saanich | Yes, for protected trees (30 cm or more for common species) | $50 plus $30 per additional tree (building, driveway) | Notice $500 ($450 if paid in 14 days); ticket $1,000 |
| Salmon Arm | Yes, trunk circumference of 30 cm or more | $50 for 1 to 5 trees ($75 for 6 to 10) | Ticket $500 |
| Salt Spring Island | No tree bylaw; development permit near water and slopes | Development permit $1,299 | Not confirmed |
| Sayward | No tree bylaw; riparian report within 30 m of streams | None set | None set |
| Sechelt | Yes, for protected trees (60 cm diameter or larger) | $50 per tree for first three, $10 per extra tree | Ticket $1,000 per tree |
| Sidney | Yes, for protected trees (any tree over 60 cm diameter) | $250 first protected tree, $50 each additional | Notice $500 ($400 if paid early); ticket $1,000 |
| Silverton | No tree bylaw; development permit within 30 m of lake | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Slocan | No tree bylaw; development permit in mapped areas | Development permit $200 plus advertising costs | Not confirmed |
| Smithers | Yes in development permit areas (more than 2 trees a year) | $30 for first 3 trees, $5 per extra tree | Notice $400 ($200 if paid in 14 days) |
| Sooke | No, except development permit areas | Not confirmed | No private-tree ticket; highway tree $100 |
| Spallumcheen | No tree bylaw; development permit within 30 m of streams | No tree fee; $500 if development permit needed | Not confirmed |
| Sparwood | Development permit in riparian protection area | Not confirmed | Boulevard tree notice $350 ($175 if paid in 14 days) |
| Squamish | Yes, for trees at least 20 cm in diameter | $150 plus $5 per tree | Notice $500 ($450 if paid in 14 days) |
| Summerland | No tree bylaw; development permit in mapped areas | No tree fee; $50 to $500 if development permit needed | Not confirmed |
| Surrey | Yes, for trees 30 cm or more DBH | $108 plus $42 per protected tree | Notice $450 ($400 if paid in 14 days); ticket $500 |
| Tahsis | No tree permit; development permit within 30 m of water | Not confirmed | Ticket $50 (trees in a street) |
| Telkwa | No tree bylaw; riparian area within 15 m of rivers | No tree fee; $400 if development permit needed | Not confirmed |
| Terrace | No, except development permit areas | Not confirmed | No private-tree ticket; park trees $500 |
| Tofino | No, except Significant Trees and development permit areas | No tree fee; development permit $260 to $2,081 | Notice $500; ticket $1,000 (significant tree) |
| Township of Langley | Yes, for trees 20 cm dbh or more (not ALR land) | $150 application fee (none for dead or dying trees) | Notice $500 per tree |
| Trail | No general permit; development permit areas unclear | Not confirmed | No ticket; $25 to $500 per offence (boulevard trees) |
| Tumbler Ridge | No tree bylaw; unclear in mapped areas | Not confirmed | No private-land ticket; highway trees $100 |
| Ucluelet | No, except development permit areas | No tree fee; $300 or $1,000 if development permit needed | Not confirmed |
| Valemount | No stand-alone permit; development permit areas | $200 if development permit needed | Not confirmed |
| Vancouver | Yes, for trees at least 20 centimetres in diameter | $113 first tree ($324 each additional) in 12 months | Not confirmed |
| Vanderhoof | No tree bylaw; development permit within 15 m of river | No tree fee; $600 if development permit needed | Not confirmed |
| Vernon | Yes, for trees over 8 cm across | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Victoria | Yes, for protected trees (over 30 cm DBH) | $50 for lot up to 2,000 m² | $1,000 ($850 if paid in 30 days) |
| View Royal | Yes, for protected trees (any tree over 20 cm DBH) | $0 | Ticket $1,000 to $50,000 |
| Wells | Yes, inside Tree Protection Area (stems 10 cm or more) | $25 for 1 to 3 trees ($50 for 4 to 10) | No ticket; up to $10,000 on conviction |
| West Kelowna | No, except Development Permit Areas | No tree fee; $300 or $1,140 if development permit needed | No private-land ticket; park or highway trees $500 |
| West Vancouver | Yes, for trees 75 centimetres or more in DBH | $330 for one tree ($120 each additional) | $500 ($475 early) |
| Whistler | Yes, usually: Significant Trees and trees near water | $250 for up to 10 trees ($400 for more) | Notice $500 ($400 if paid early); ticket $3,000 |
| White Rock | Yes, for trees 20 cm or more across | $558 (unwanted tree); no fee for dead or high-risk | Ticket $500 first offence, $1,000 later |
| Williams Lake | Yes, for protected trees (not residential under 1 ha) | $50 for five trees or fewer ($150 for six or more) | Notice $400 ($300 if paid in 14 days) |
Reading this table
- When a permit is needed: stated for 128 places, none set in 1, not confirmed for 1.
- Fee: stated for 96 places, none set in 9, not confirmed for 25.
- Fine: stated for 97 places, none set in 10, not confirmed for 23.
Each cell is a short form of the fact on that place's own page. Open the place to see the full wording, the bylaw and section it comes from, and the official text it was matched against. None set means the bylaw that was read sets no such rule. Not confirmed means it could not be established from the official sources, for example because the bylaw is posted as a scanned image.
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