---
title: Ucluelet tree removal rules and permits
question: "Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property in Ucluelet?"
place: Ucluelet, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/ucluelet
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Ucluelet
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ucluelet/tree-removal/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ucluelet/tree-removal.json"
---

# Ucluelet tree removal rules and permits

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

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Ucluelet, https://ucluelet.ca)  
**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:**
- Phone: Planning Department, Municipal Office, 250-726-7744
- Email: District of Ucluelet, info@ucluelet.ca
- In person: Municipal Office, 200 Main Street, Ucluelet, BC V0R 3A0 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.)

## Key facts

- **When a permit is needed:** 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.
  - Source: [Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1236, 2020, OCP Definitions](https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/72467/Bylaw%201236%202020%20Official%20Community%20Plan%202020%20FINAL.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Removal, alteration, disruption, or destruction of" … "slopes with an incline of 30 degrees or more are designated as" … "development permits are required for areas"
  - Source: [Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1236, 2020, DPA VI](https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/72467/Bylaw%201236%202020%20Official%20Community%20Plan%202020%20FINAL.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A development permit is required for any development within"
  - Source: [Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1236, 2020, DPA VII, E.VII.2](https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/72467/Bylaw%201236%202020%20Official%20Community%20Plan%202020%20FINAL.pdf)
  - Official wording: "development on the lands within DPA VII, the owner of"
  - Source: [Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1236, 2020, Policy 2.10](https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/72467/Bylaw%201236%202020%20Official%20Community%20Plan%202020%20FINAL.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Policy 2.10 Explore, with public input, the merits of defining and" … "initiating a system of municipal permitting prior to removal of the"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Exemptions:** 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.
  - Source: [Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1236, 2020, Environmental DPA Exemptions 6 and 8](https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/72467/Bylaw%201236%202020%20Official%20Community%20Plan%202020%20FINAL.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fee:** 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).
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1186, 2016, unofficial 2025 consolidation, Schedule D, Development](https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/77211/1186%20Bylaw%202016%20-%20Fees%20and%20Charges%20-%20Consolidated%20-%202025%20-%20FINAL.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Minor Development Permit $300.00 No" … "Development Permit $1,000.00 plus $500.00 per Ha. over 1 Ha. No"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Replacement trees:** 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.
  - Source: [Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1236, 2020, E8](https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/72467/Bylaw%201236%202020%20Official%20Community%20Plan%202020%20FINAL.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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."
  - Source: [Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1236, 2020, E.VI.4](https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/72467/Bylaw%201236%202020%20Official%20Community%20Plan%202020%20FINAL.pdf)
  - Official wording: "E.VI.4. Based on the biophysical assessment of the site within"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **City trees:** 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.
  - Source: [Unsightly Premises Regulation Bylaw No. 2017, 2026, s. 3.7](https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/84301/2017%20Bylaw,%202026%20-%20Unsightly%20Premises%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "3.7 No owner or occupier of real property shall wilfully damage any boulevard, trees,"
  - Source: [Unsightly Premises Regulation Bylaw No. 2017, 2026, s. 4.1(e)](https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/84301/2017%20Bylaw,%202026%20-%20Unsightly%20Premises%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "(e) prune and trim hedges, trees, and shrubs in the boulevard, except"
  - Source: [Unsightly Premises Regulation Bylaw No. 2017, 2026, s. 4.2](https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/84301/2017%20Bylaw,%202026%20-%20Unsightly%20Premises%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "4.2 If, in the opinion of Council, any trees, hedges, bushes or shrubs growing or"
  - Source: [Public Property Use Regulation Bylaw No. 2011, 2026, s. 3.1.1](https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/84297/2011%20Bylaw,%202026%20-%20Public%20Property%20Use%20Regulation%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No person shall cut, break, injure, foul, pollute or in any way destroy or damage any tree, shrub, plant, turf, flower or any"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fine:** Not confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read.
- **Bylaw:** 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.
  - Source: [Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1236, 2020, Schedule 1](https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/72467/Bylaw%201236%202020%20Official%20Community%20Plan%202020%20FINAL.pdf)
  - Official wording: "District of Ucluelet Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1236, 2020"
  - Source: [Development Permits, Development Permits page](https://ucluelet.ca/business-development/planning-building/development-applications/development-permits/)
  - Official wording: "Section 488(1) of the Local Government Act allows local governments to designate Development Permit Areas (DPAs)."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

The 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.

You must still meet federal and provincial rules, for example for nesting birds or streams.

## Steps

1. Ask Planning (250-726-7744) whether your lot is in a development permit area.
2. If it is, see the Development Permits page and apply before cutting.
3. If it is not, no District permit is needed for a private tree.

## Good to know

- 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.
- 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.
- No fine for cutting a private tree without a permit was found in the bylaws we read. Ask Planning.
- 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.

## Official forms and pages

- [Development Permits, District of Ucluelet](https://ucluelet.ca/business-development/planning-building/development-applications/development-permits/)
- [Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1236, 2020 (PDF)](https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/72467/Bylaw%201236%202020%20Official%20Community%20Plan%202020%20FINAL.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Ucluelet zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ucluelet/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Ucluelet building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ucluelet/building-permit.md)
- [Ucluelet fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ucluelet/fence-rules.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tree-removal.md)
- [Tofino](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tofino/tree-removal.md)
- [Port Alberni](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/tree-removal.md)
- [Cumberland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/tree-removal.md)
- [Courtenay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/tree-removal.md)
- [Qualicum Beach](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/tree-removal.md)
- [Comox](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/tree-removal.md)

## Sources

- [Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1236, 2020 (PDF), District of Ucluelet](https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/72467/Bylaw%201236%202020%20Official%20Community%20Plan%202020%20FINAL.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Development Permits, District of Ucluelet](https://ucluelet.ca/business-development/planning-building/development-applications/development-permits/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1186, 2016, unofficial 2025 consolidation (PDF), District of Ucluelet](https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/77211/1186%20Bylaw%202016%20-%20Fees%20and%20Charges%20-%20Consolidated%20-%202025%20-%20FINAL.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Unsightly Premises Regulation Bylaw No. 2017, 2026 (PDF), District of Ucluelet](https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/84301/2017%20Bylaw,%202026%20-%20Unsightly%20Premises%20Bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Public Property Use Regulation Bylaw No. 2011, 2026 (PDF), District of Ucluelet](https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/84297/2011%20Bylaw,%202026%20-%20Public%20Property%20Use%20Regulation%20Bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2019, 2026 (PDF), District of Ucluelet](https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/84303/2019%20Bylaw,%202026%20-%20Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)

_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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of Ucluelet. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ucluelet/tree-removal/_