{"title":"Vernon 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/vernon","name":"Vernon","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":"City of Vernon","url":"https://www.vernon.ca"},"short_answer":"Often yes. Under the City of Vernon's Tree Protection Bylaw 4152, you need a permit to damage, destroy or remove a tree with a stem over 8 cm across at 1 m above the ground, unless an exemption applies. The small-lot exemption uses old zone names, so ask the City first.","aliases":["tree removal permit vernon","tree cutting bylaw vernon","tree protection bylaw 4152","cut down a tree vernon bc"],"cost":"No permit fee is stated in the bylaw, on the City's tree page or in Fees and Charges Bylaw 3909. Ask Planning.","how_long":"Not stated in the sources read.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Planning and Community Services","value":"250-550-3634"},{"type":"email","label":"Planning","value":"planning@vernon.ca"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Tree Maintenance page, City of Vernon","url":"https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/boulevards-trees/tree-maintenance"},{"title":"Tree Protection Bylaw 4152 (PDF)","url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/4152_tree_protection_consolidated.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Vernon building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/building-permit/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/coldstream","name":"Coldstream","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lake-country","name":"Lake Country","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/spallumcheen","name":"Spallumcheen","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/armstrong","name":"Armstrong","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lumby","name":"Lumby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/enderby","name":"Enderby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/enderby/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":"A permit is needed to damage, destroy or remove any tree whose stem is over 8 cm across at 1 m above the ground. Damage includes pruning a limb thicker than 5% of the trunk diameter (conifers) or 15% (broadleaf), and never a limb over 8 cm. No permit is issued for a tree within 15 m of a watercourse unless it blocks drainage.","short":"Yes, for trees over 8 cm across","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/4152_tree_protection_consolidated.pdf","title":"Tree Protection Bylaw 4152, consolidated (PDF)","section":"s. 5(a)","quotes":["No person shall damage, destroy or remove (hereinafter collectively referred to","tree, the stem of which exceeds eight (8) centimetres at one (1)"]},{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/4152_tree_protection_consolidated.pdf","title":"Tree Protection Bylaw 4152, consolidated (PDF)","section":"s. 5(b)-(d)","quotes":["5% of the diameter of the trunk of the tree if the tree is a coniferous species;","15% of the diameter of the trunk of the tree where the tree is of the broadleaf","No person shall be issued a permit to destroy a tree growing within fifteen (15)"]},{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/boulevards-trees/tree-maintenance","title":"Tree Maintenance, City of Vernon","section":"Trees on Private Property","quotes":["This applies to all trees within the City of Vernon that have a diameter greater than 8cm"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"exemptions":{"label":"Exemptions","value":"Per the 1995 bylaw, no permit is needed for trees on private lots 'zoned R1, R2, R3 and R4' under 1,114 m²; those zones are not in Zoning Bylaw 6000 and the bylaw does not say which current zones apply. Also exempt: commercial fruit orchard trees; utility work on designated Hazardous Trees; emergency removal of severely damaged trees about to fall.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/4152_tree_protection_consolidated.pdf","title":"Tree Protection Bylaw 4152, consolidated (PDF)","section":"s. 5(a)(i)-(iii)","quotes":["trees on privately-owned land that are contained on any lot zoned R1, R2,","those trees that are part of a commercial fruit orchard","those trees that are Hazardous Trees and the damage is done by a utility company","those trees that are Hazardous Trees and the damage is done by a utility"]},{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/4152_tree_protection_consolidated.pdf","title":"Tree Protection Bylaw 4152, consolidated (PDF)","section":"s. 11","quotes":["a person may destroy a tree or a limb of a tree without a permit if:"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee":{"label":"Fee","value":null,"status":"unknown","reason":"not_published","note":"Vernon's bylaw, page and fee bylaw state no permit fee for tree removal.","sources":[]},"replacement":{"label":"Replacement trees","value":"Anyone who destroys a tree in breach of the bylaw must replace it with a tree of like species and size, except a broadleaf of 6 m or more may be replaced by one 6 m high and a conifer of 5 m or more by one 5 m high. The Director may require a cash deposit or letter of credit for the full cost of replacement trees, and a planting plan.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/4152_tree_protection_consolidated.pdf","title":"Tree Protection Bylaw 4152, consolidated (PDF)","section":"s. 6(a)-(b)","quotes":["replace the tree with a tree of like species and size, notwithstanding (b) and (c);","need only be replaced by a tree that is six (6) metres in height;","need only be replaced by a tree that is five (5) metres in height;"]},{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/4152_tree_protection_consolidated.pdf","title":"Tree Protection Bylaw 4152, consolidated (PDF)","section":"s. 7","quotes":["a security in the form of a cash deposit or letter of credit to secure the full amount"]},{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/boulevards-trees/tree-maintenance","title":"Tree Maintenance, City of Vernon","section":"Trees on Private Property","quotes":["In general, each tree removed will need to be replaced by a new tree."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"city_trees":{"label":"City trees","value":"Boulevard trees are the City's. The City inspects them yearly and lists pruning, removal and planting. Parks and Public Places Bylaw 5057 s. 5 bars cutting, removing or damaging any tree in a public place (including highways and parks) without the Park Manager's authorization.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/boulevards-trees/tree-maintenance","title":"Tree Maintenance, City of Vernon","section":"Trees on Public Property","quotes":["Trees on city boulevards fall under the jurisdiction of the City.","The City conducts an annual formal inspection of all boulevard trees, resulting in a list for pruning, removal, and planting."]},{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/parks_and_public_places_bylaw_5057.pdf","title":"Parks and Public Places Bylaw 5057 (PDF)","section":"s. 5 and s. 3(q)","quotes":["Unless expressly authorized by the Park Manager, a person must not deface,","cut, remove, destroy or damage a tree, shrub, structure, building or other thing or"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":null,"status":"unknown","reason":"not_published","note":"Vernon's Tree Protection Bylaw is not in the bylaw notice or ticket schedules.","sources":[]},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"City of Vernon Tree Protection Bylaw Number 4152, 1995","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/4152_tree_protection_consolidated.pdf","title":"Tree Protection Bylaw 4152, consolidated (PDF)","section":"s. 1","quotes":["City of Vernon Tree Protection Bylaw Number 4152, 1995"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":7,"stated":5,"matched":5,"none":0,"unknown":2},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe City of Vernon's [Tree Protection Bylaw 4152](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/4152_tree_protection_consolidated.pdf) requires a permit to damage, destroy or remove any tree whose stem is over 8 cm across at 1 m above the ground. Damage includes pruning a limb thicker than 5% of the trunk diameter (conifers) or 15% (broadleaf trees), and never a limb over 8 cm. The Director of Community Development grants permits.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Exemptions: the 1995 bylaw exempts trees on private lots \"zoned R1, R2, R3 and R4\" under 1,114 m². Those zones are not in Zoning Bylaw 6000 and the bylaw does not say which current zones apply, so ask the City before you assume you are exempt.\n- Other exemptions: commercial fruit orchard trees; utility work on designated Hazardous Trees; and emergency removal of a severely damaged tree about to fall.\n- No permit is issued for a tree within 15 m of a watercourse unless it blocks drainage. Trees within 30 m of a watercourse may also fall under the provincial Riparian Area Protection Regulation.\n- If you destroy a tree in breach of the bylaw, you must replace it with a tree of like species and size. A broadleaf of 6 m or more may be replaced by one 6 m high, and a conifer of 5 m or more by one 5 m high. The Director may require a cash deposit or letter of credit for the full cost of replacement trees, and a planting plan.\n- If you refuse to replace a tree within 30 days' notice, the City may do it at your cost.\n- Fee and fine: the bylaw, the City's page and the fee bylaw state no permit fee, and Bylaw 4152 is not in the bylaw notice or municipal ticket schedules. Ask the City.\n- Boulevard trees are the City's. Parks and Public Places Bylaw 5057 bars cutting, removing or damaging any tree in a public place without the Park Manager's authorization. Damaging a tree there can bring a bylaw notice of $100 ($90 early) or a municipal ticket of $200 ($190 early).","sources":[{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/boulevards-trees/tree-maintenance","title":"Tree Maintenance, City of Vernon","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/4152_tree_protection_consolidated.pdf","title":"Tree Protection Bylaw 4152, consolidated (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/parks_and_public_places_bylaw_5057.pdf","title":"Parks and Public Places Bylaw 5057 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%206048.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 6048 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/Municipal%20Ticketing%20Information%20Bylaw%206049.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 6049 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 7 facts was matched to the official text; 2 could not be confirmed."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/tree-removal/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/tree-removal.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/tree-removal.json"}}