---
title: Vernon tree removal rules and permits
question: "Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property?"
place: Vernon, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/vernon
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Vernon
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/tree-removal/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/tree-removal.json"
---

# Vernon tree removal rules and permits

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

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Vernon, https://www.vernon.ca)  
**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:**
- Phone: Planning and Community Services, 250-550-3634
- Email: Planning, planning@vernon.ca

## Key facts

- **When a permit is needed:** 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.
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw 4152, consolidated, s. 5(a)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/4152_tree_protection_consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No person shall damage, destroy or remove (hereinafter collectively referred to" … "tree, the stem of which exceeds eight (8) centimetres at one (1)"
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw 4152, consolidated, s. 5(b)-(d)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/4152_tree_protection_consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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)"
  - Source: [Tree Maintenance, Trees on Private Property](https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/boulevards-trees/tree-maintenance)
  - Official wording: "This applies to all trees within the City of Vernon that have a diameter greater than 8cm"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Exemptions:** 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.
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw 4152, consolidated, s. 5(a)(i)-(iii)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/4152_tree_protection_consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw 4152, consolidated, s. 11](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/4152_tree_protection_consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "a person may destroy a tree or a limb of a tree without a permit if:"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** Not confirmed. Vernon's bylaw, page and fee bylaw state no permit fee for tree removal.
- **Replacement trees:** 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.
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw 4152, consolidated, s. 6(a)-(b)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/4152_tree_protection_consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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;"
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw 4152, consolidated, s. 7](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/4152_tree_protection_consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "a security in the form of a cash deposit or letter of credit to secure the full amount"
  - Source: [Tree Maintenance, Trees on Private Property](https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/boulevards-trees/tree-maintenance)
  - Official wording: "In general, each tree removed will need to be replaced by a new tree."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **City trees:** 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.
  - Source: [Tree Maintenance, Trees on Public Property](https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/boulevards-trees/tree-maintenance)
  - Official wording: "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."
  - Source: [Parks and Public Places Bylaw 5057, s. 5 and s. 3(q)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/parks_and_public_places_bylaw_5057.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Not confirmed. Vernon's Tree Protection Bylaw is not in the bylaw notice or ticket schedules.
- **Bylaw:** City of Vernon Tree Protection Bylaw Number 4152, 1995
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw 4152, consolidated, s. 1](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/4152_tree_protection_consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "City of Vernon Tree Protection Bylaw Number 4152, 1995"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The 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.

## Good to know

- 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.
- Other exemptions: commercial fruit orchard trees; utility work on designated Hazardous Trees; and emergency removal of a severely damaged tree about to fall.
- 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.
- 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.
- If you refuse to replace a tree within 30 days' notice, the City may do it at your cost.
- 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.
- 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).

## Official forms and pages

- [Tree Maintenance page, City of Vernon](https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/boulevards-trees/tree-maintenance)
- [Tree Protection Bylaw 4152 (PDF)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/4152_tree_protection_consolidated.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Vernon building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/building-permit.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tree-removal.md)
- [Coldstream](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/tree-removal.md)
- [Lake Country](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/tree-removal.md)
- [Spallumcheen](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/tree-removal.md)
- [Armstrong](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/tree-removal.md)
- [Lumby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/tree-removal.md)
- [Enderby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/enderby/tree-removal.md)

## Sources

- [Tree Maintenance, City of Vernon](https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/boulevards-trees/tree-maintenance) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Tree Protection Bylaw 4152, consolidated (PDF)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/4152_tree_protection_consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Parks and Public Places Bylaw 5057 (PDF)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/parks_and_public_places_bylaw_5057.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 6048 (PDF)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%206048.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 6049 (PDF)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/Municipal%20Ticketing%20Information%20Bylaw%206049.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)

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