{"title":"Ucluelet tree removal rules and permits","question":"Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property in Ucluelet?","slug":"tree-removal","place":{"path":"ca/bc/ucluelet","name":"Ucluelet","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":"District of Ucluelet","url":"https://ucluelet.ca"},"short_answer":"Ucluelet has no general tree protection bylaw, so cutting an ordinary private tree needs no permit. But cutting is \"development\" needing a development permit inside the Official Community Plan's mature forest, stream, marine shoreline and steep slope areas. Confirm with Planning first.","aliases":["tree removal ucluelet","cut down tree ucluelet","tree permit ucluelet","ucluelet tree bylaw"],"cost":"No tree-cutting fee found. If a development permit is needed: $300 (minor development permit) or $1,000 plus $500 per hectare over 1 ha (development permit).","how_long":"Not stated.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Planning Department, Municipal Office","value":"250-726-7744"},{"type":"email","label":"District of Ucluelet","value":"info@ucluelet.ca"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Municipal Office","value":"200 Main Street, Ucluelet, BC V0R 3A0","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m."}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Development Permits, District of Ucluelet","url":"https://ucluelet.ca/business-development/planning-building/development-applications/development-permits/"},{"title":"Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1236, 2020 (PDF)","url":"https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/72467/Bylaw%201236%202020%20Official%20Community%20Plan%202020%20FINAL.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Ucluelet zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ucluelet/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Ucluelet building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ucluelet/building-permit/"},{"slug":"fence-rules","title":"Ucluelet fence rules: permits and height limits","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ucluelet/fence-rules/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/tofino","name":"Tofino","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tofino/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-alberni","name":"Port Alberni","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/cumberland","name":"Cumberland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/courtenay","name":"Courtenay","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/qualicum-beach","name":"Qualicum Beach","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/comox","name":"Comox","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/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":"No general permit for cutting a private tree found. Cutting is 'development' needing a development permit inside Official Community Plan development permit areas: mature forest (V), streams and riparian (VI), marine shoreline (VII), and steep slopes of 30 degrees or more (VIII). Check Schedules E and G.","short":"No, except development permit areas","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/72467/Bylaw%201236%202020%20Official%20Community%20Plan%202020%20FINAL.pdf","title":"Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1236, 2020 (PDF), District of Ucluelet","section":"OCP Definitions","quotes":["Removal, alteration, disruption, or destruction of","slopes with an incline of 30 degrees or more are designated as","development permits are required for areas"]},{"url":"https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/72467/Bylaw%201236%202020%20Official%20Community%20Plan%202020%20FINAL.pdf","title":"Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1236, 2020 (PDF), District of Ucluelet","section":"DPA VI","quotes":["A development permit is required for any development within"]},{"url":"https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/72467/Bylaw%201236%202020%20Official%20Community%20Plan%202020%20FINAL.pdf","title":"Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1236, 2020 (PDF), District of Ucluelet","section":"DPA VII, E.VII.2","quotes":["development on the lands within DPA VII, the owner of"]},{"url":"https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/72467/Bylaw%201236%202020%20Official%20Community%20Plan%202020%20FINAL.pdf","title":"Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1236, 2020 (PDF), District of Ucluelet","section":"Policy 2.10","quotes":["Policy 2.10 Explore, with public input, the merits of defining and","initiating a system of municipal permitting prior to removal of the"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"exemptions":{"label":"Exemptions","value":"DPA V to VII exempt: trees an arborist or RPF finds an imminent safety risk, hazard-tree emergency removal, pruning that keeps 60% of the crown, native planting. Steep-slope DPA VIII exempts dead trees (stump and roots left), planting, trees under 5 cm across, and arborist-approved pruning.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/72467/Bylaw%201236%202020%20Official%20Community%20Plan%202020%20FINAL.pdf","title":"Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1236, 2020 (PDF), District of Ucluelet","section":"Environmental DPA Exemptions 6 and 8","quotes":["6. The removal of trees determined by a Certified Arborist","removal of hazard trees characterized by a","pruning trees where a minimum of 60% of the","10. Forestry activities on private lands that are managed","3. Cutting down dead trees provided that the stump and roots","4. Planting new trees;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"fee":{"label":"Fee","value":"No tree-cutting fee found. If a development permit is needed: $300 (minor development permit) or $1,000 plus $500 per hectare over 1 ha (development permit).","short":"No tree fee; $300 or $1,000 if development permit needed","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/77211/1186%20Bylaw%202016%20-%20Fees%20and%20Charges%20-%20Consolidated%20-%202025%20-%20FINAL.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1186, 2016, unofficial 2025 consolidation (PDF), District of Ucluelet","section":"Schedule D, Development","quotes":["Minor Development Permit $300.00 No","Development Permit $1,000.00 plus $500.00 per Ha. over 1 Ha. No"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"replacement":{"label":"Replacement trees","value":"No replacement-tree rule found. For development inside an environmentally sensitive area the District requires security of 125% of the cost of protection or restoration works, and may require tree planting or retention in riparian areas.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/72467/Bylaw%201236%202020%20Official%20Community%20Plan%202020%20FINAL.pdf","title":"Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1236, 2020 (PDF), District of Ucluelet","section":"E8","quotes":["E8. For all projects that involve development within an ESA,","the District shall require the applicant to post security at","125% of the cost of protection and/or restoration works."]},{"url":"https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/72467/Bylaw%201236%202020%20Official%20Community%20Plan%202020%20FINAL.pdf","title":"Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1236, 2020 (PDF), District of Ucluelet","section":"E.VI.4","quotes":["E.VI.4. Based on the biophysical assessment of the site within"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"city_trees":{"label":"City trees","value":"No cutting or damaging trees in a park, on a beach or in any public place (Public Property Use Bylaw No. 2011, 2026, s. 3.1.1; $100). Do not wilfully damage boulevard trees. Boulevard owners must prune boulevard trees and hedges. Council may order trees trimmed or removed.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/84301/2017%20Bylaw,%202026%20-%20Unsightly%20Premises%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Unsightly Premises Regulation Bylaw No. 2017, 2026 (PDF), District of Ucluelet","section":"s. 3.7","quotes":["3.7 No owner or occupier of real property shall wilfully damage any boulevard, trees,"]},{"url":"https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/84301/2017%20Bylaw,%202026%20-%20Unsightly%20Premises%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Unsightly Premises Regulation Bylaw No. 2017, 2026 (PDF), District of Ucluelet","section":"s. 4.1(e)","quotes":["(e) prune and trim hedges, trees, and shrubs in the boulevard, except"]},{"url":"https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/84301/2017%20Bylaw,%202026%20-%20Unsightly%20Premises%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Unsightly Premises Regulation Bylaw No. 2017, 2026 (PDF), District of Ucluelet","section":"s. 4.2","quotes":["4.2 If, in the opinion of Council, any trees, hedges, bushes or shrubs growing or"]},{"url":"https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/84297/2011%20Bylaw,%202026%20-%20Public%20Property%20Use%20Regulation%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Public Property Use Regulation Bylaw No. 2011, 2026 (PDF), District of Ucluelet","section":"s. 3.1.1","quotes":["No person shall cut, break, injure, foul, pollute or in any way destroy or damage any tree, shrub, plant, turf, flower or any"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":null,"status":"unknown","reason":"not_found","sources":[]},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"No tree protection bylaw. Rules come from Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1236, 2020 (development permit areas) and, for boulevard trees, Unsightly Premises Regulation Bylaw No. 2017, 2026.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/72467/Bylaw%201236%202020%20Official%20Community%20Plan%202020%20FINAL.pdf","title":"Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1236, 2020 (PDF), District of Ucluelet","section":"Schedule 1","quotes":["District of Ucluelet Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1236, 2020"]},{"url":"https://ucluelet.ca/business-development/planning-building/development-applications/development-permits/","title":"Development Permits, District of Ucluelet","section":"Development Permits page","quotes":["Section 488(1) of the Local Government Act allows local governments to designate Development Permit Areas (DPAs)."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":7,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":0,"unknown":1},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe District of Ucluelet's bylaw list has no tree protection bylaw. The rules come from the [Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1236, 2020](https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/72467/Bylaw%201236%202020%20Official%20Community%20Plan%202020%20FINAL.pdf), whose definition of \"development\" includes removing vegetation. A development permit is needed inside these development permit areas: mature forest (V), streams and riparian areas (VI), marine shoreline (VII), and steep slopes of 30 degrees or more (VIII). Area VI covers land within 30 m of streams and area VII land within 30 m of the ocean's natural boundary. Check Schedules E and G of the plan, or ask Planning.\n\nYou must still meet federal and provincial rules, for example for nesting birds or streams.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Ask Planning (250-726-7744) whether your lot is in a development permit area.\n2. If it is, see the Development Permits page and apply before cutting.\n3. If it is not, no District permit is needed for a private tree.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Exemptions in areas V to VII: a tree an arborist or registered professional forester finds an imminent safety risk, emergency removal of a hazard tree, pruning that keeps 60% of the crown, and native planting. Steep-slope area VIII exempts dead trees (leave the stump and roots), planting, trees under 5 cm across, and arborist-approved pruning.\n- Development inside an environmentally sensitive area requires security of 125% of the cost of protection or restoration works. Tree planting or retention in riparian areas may be required. No general replacement-tree rule was found.\n- No fine for cutting a private tree without a permit was found in the bylaws we read. Ask Planning.\n- District trees: no cutting or damaging trees in a park, on a beach or in any public place (Public Property Use Bylaw No. 2011, 2026; $100). Do not wilfully damage boulevard trees. A bylaw notice for damaging a boulevard tree is $150 ($112.50 if paid early, $187.50 if late). Boulevard owners must prune boulevard trees and hedges, and Council may order trees trimmed or removed.","sources":[{"url":"https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/72467/Bylaw%201236%202020%20Official%20Community%20Plan%202020%20FINAL.pdf","title":"Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1236, 2020 (PDF), District of Ucluelet","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://ucluelet.ca/business-development/planning-building/development-applications/development-permits/","title":"Development Permits, District of Ucluelet","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/77211/1186%20Bylaw%202016%20-%20Fees%20and%20Charges%20-%20Consolidated%20-%202025%20-%20FINAL.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1186, 2016, unofficial 2025 consolidation (PDF), District of Ucluelet","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/84301/2017%20Bylaw,%202026%20-%20Unsightly%20Premises%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Unsightly Premises Regulation Bylaw No. 2017, 2026 (PDF), District of Ucluelet","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/84297/2011%20Bylaw,%202026%20-%20Public%20Property%20Use%20Regulation%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Public Property Use Regulation Bylaw No. 2011, 2026 (PDF), District of Ucluelet","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/84303/2019%20Bylaw,%202026%20-%20Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2019, 2026 (PDF), District of Ucluelet","accessed":"2026-11-08"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-08","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 7 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ucluelet/tree-removal/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ucluelet/tree-removal.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ucluelet/tree-removal.json"}}