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Wells tree removal rules and permits

Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property in Wells?

Wells, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

Short answer

In Wells, you need a tree cutting permit to remove, cut or harm a tree inside the Tree Protection Area on the Zoning Maps. The fee is $25 for 1 to 3 trees. Ask the District Office whether your lot is inside the area.

Key facts

When a permit is neededA tree cutting permit is needed to remove, cut or harm a tree inside the Tree Protection Area shown on the Zoning Maps (Schedule B). A tree is a woody plant with a stem at least 10 cm across, measured 15 cm above the ground.District of Wells Zoning Bylaw No. 26, 2000, s. 3.17, s. 3.17(a)-(b); District of Wells Zoning Bylaw No. 26, 2000, s. 3.17, s. 2.0, definition 176 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
The Tree Protection Area is outlined on Schedule B, the Zoning Maps.
No person may remove, cut or harm a tree within the Tree Protection Area:
without a tree cutting permit issued under this section; or
a diameter of at least 10 centimetres when measured from a height of 15 centimetres above the natural grade of the land
ExemptionsThe tree permit rule does not apply to lands within the Forest Land Reserve.District of Wells Zoning Bylaw No. 26, 2000, s. 3.17, s. 3.17(e) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
This section shall not apply to any lands within the Forest Land Reserve.
Fee$25 for 1 to 3 trees; $50 for 4 to 10 trees; $100 for more than 10 trees.District of Wells Zoning Bylaw No. 26, 2000, s. 3.17, s. 3.17(d) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
An application fee for a tree cutting permit is $25 for 1 to 3 trees; $50 for 4 to 10 trees and $100 for more than 10 trees.
Replacement treesThe application must include a replanting plan showing the location, species, size and number of trees, bushes and shrubs to be planted. No replacement ratio or security is stated.District of Wells Zoning Bylaw No. 26, 2000, s. 3.17, s. 3.17(c) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
a proposed replanting plan indicating location, species, size and number of trees, bushes and shrubs which are to be planted
City treesNot confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read.
FineNo ticket amount is stated. A zoning offence carries a fine of not more than $10,000 on summary conviction; each day is a new and separate offence.District of Wells Zoning Bylaw No. 26, 2000, s. 3.17, s. 1.2.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
be liable to a penalty or fine of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000)
Each day or part thereof during which any contravention is continued shall constitute a new and separate offense
BylawDistrict of Wells Zoning and Tree Protection Bylaw No. 26, 2000, s. 3.17District of Wells Zoning Bylaw No. 26, 2000, s. 3.17 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
Provincial Standards which may vary from those of the District of Wells. 3.17 TREE PROTECTION (a) The Tree Protection Area is outlined on Schedule B, the Zoning Maps.
residential use, but not ancillary to a permitted non-residential use; District of Wells Zoning Bylaw 26
(c) no alteration may be made to the external appearance of the property which indicates

How it works

Tree protection is part of the District's Zoning Bylaw, s. 3.17. A tree cutting permit is needed to remove, cut or harm a tree inside the Tree Protection Area shown on the Zoning Maps (Schedule B). A tree is a woody plant with a stem at least 10 cm across, measured 15 cm above the ground.

The rule does not apply to lands within the Forest Land Reserve. The bylaw states no hazard-tree or small-tree exemption, and no rule on District-owned or boulevard trees was found.

The application must include a replanting plan showing the location, species, size and number of trees, bushes and shrubs to be planted. No replacement ratio or security is stated. The Clerk may also ask for an engineer's report that cutting will not cause flooding or erosion.

Steps

  1. Check the Zoning Maps on the Planning Bylaws page, or ask the District Office, whether your lot is in the Tree Protection Area.
  2. If it is, apply for a tree cutting permit with a replanting plan.
  3. Pay the fee: $25 for 1 to 3 trees, $50 for 4 to 10 trees, $100 for more than 10.

Good to know

  • No ticket amount is stated. A zoning offence carries a fine of not more than $10,000 on summary conviction, and each day is a new offence.
  • The Comprehensive Fees and Charges Bylaw lists no tree permit fee; the amounts above are from the Zoning Bylaw.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Quesnel · Williams Lake · Prince George · 100 Mile House · Valemount · Vanderhoof

Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. District of Wells Zoning Bylaw No. 26, 2000, s. 3.17 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
  2. Planning Bylaws, District of Wells (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. How answers are checked.