{"title":"West Kelowna 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/west-kelowna","name":"West Kelowna","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 West Kelowna","url":"https://www.westkelownacity.ca"},"short_answer":"West Kelowna has no general tree bylaw. On private land, clearing trees inside a Development Permit Area (Hillside, Aquatic or Sensitive Terrestrial Ecosystem) needs a Development Permit unless exempt. Call Development Services at 778-797-8830.","aliases":["cut down tree west kelowna","tree bylaw","hazard tree","tree removal permit"],"cost":"No separate tree-removal fee. If a Development Permit is needed, the 2026 fee is $300 (minor) or $1,140 (Sensitive Terrestrial Ecosystem, Aquatic Ecosystem, Hillside or Wildfire Interface area). Fees rise 2% each January 1.","how_long":"A minor Development Permit for a straightforward tree application may take two to three weeks.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Development Services","value":"778-797-8830"},{"type":"email","label":"Development Services","value":"dev.services@westkelownacity.ca"},{"type":"online","label":"WestMap (check for Development Permit Areas)","value":"https://gis.westkelownacity.ca/Html5Viewer/Index.html?viewer=westmap"}],"documents":["Title search for covenants","Number, size, species and location of trees removed and of replacement plantings","ISA Certified Arborist report for hazard trees"],"forms":[{"title":"Tree Removal Considerations bulletin (PDF)","url":"https://www.westkelownacity.ca/media/lu5ggedt/tree-removal.pdf"},{"title":"Official Community Plan Bylaw 0300, Section 4 (PDF)","url":"https://www.westkelownacity.ca/media/dqmfdici/0300-official-community-plan-section-4.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"West Kelowna zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/zoning-lookup/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/peachland","name":"Peachland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/kelowna","name":"Kelowna","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lake-country","name":"Lake Country","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/summerland","name":"Summerland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/penticton","name":"Penticton","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/penticton/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/vernon","name":"Vernon","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/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 tree bylaw. On private land, clearing trees inside a Development Permit Area needs a Development Permit unless exempt: Hillside (slopes of 20% or more), Aquatic (riparian) and Sensitive Terrestrial Ecosystem areas, mapped on WestMap. Check title for a covenant. Call Development Services at 778-797-8830.","short":"No, except Development Permit Areas","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.westkelownacity.ca/media/lu5ggedt/tree-removal.pdf","title":"Tree Removal Considerations bulletin (PDF)","section":"Flow chart","quotes":["Is the tree located within a protective covenant?","Identify if your property is within a DPA through the City's map viewer, WestMap","Still have questions? Contact our Development Services Department at 778-797-8830 | dev.services@westkelownacity.ca"]},{"url":"https://www.westkelownacity.ca/building-business-development/bulletins/","title":"Bulletins, City of West Kelowna","section":"Development Permits","quotes":["A Development Permit may also be required prior to any site disturbance, including the land clearing."]},{"url":"https://www.westkelownacity.ca/media/dqmfdici/0300-official-community-plan-section-4.pdf","title":"Official Community Plan Bylaw 0300, Section 4 (PDF)","section":"OCP s. 4.1.1, 4.9.1, 4.10.1","quotes":["In all Development Permit Areas, unless exempt a Development Permit must be approved before land is subdivided or development occurs, including but not limited to land clearing","applies to all steep slopes with a slope angle of 20% or greater for a minimum horizontal distance of 10 meters","The Aquatic Ecosystem Development Permit Area (DPA) designation applies to all land as generally identified on Schedule 4"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"exemptions":{"label":"Exemptions","value":"No Development Permit is needed to maintain or repair existing landscape without excavation, or to remove trees an ISA Certified Arborist designates hazardous. Emergency cutting of an immediate danger is exempt, as is normal farm practice on ALR land. Each DPA lists more exemptions, such as an earlier DP or a qualified professional's report.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.westkelownacity.ca/building-business-development/bulletins/","title":"Bulletins, City of West Kelowna","section":"Development Permits","quotes":["for maintaining existing landscaping or removing hazard trees, a Development Permit is not required."]},{"url":"https://www.westkelownacity.ca/media/lu5ggedt/tree-removal.pdf","title":"Tree Removal Considerations bulletin (PDF)","section":"Potential exemption criteria; Wildfire","quotes":["Previous DP or Environmental Assessment addresses the ecosystem and tree management","You may be exempt from a Development Permit through an assessment conducted by a ISA Certified Arborist or a Registered Forestry Professional"]},{"url":"https://www.westkelownacity.ca/media/dqmfdici/0300-official-community-plan-section-4.pdf","title":"Official Community Plan Bylaw 0300, Section 4 (PDF)","section":"OCP s. 4.2.3","quotes":["As hazardous by an ISA Certified Arborist; or","Emergency works, including tree cutting, if necessary to remove an immediate danger or hazard","the activity occurs on land designated provincial Agricultural Land Reserve and is considered normal farm practice","Proposed maintenance or repair of existing landscape that does not include excavation."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee":{"label":"Fee","value":"No separate tree-removal fee found. If a Development Permit is needed, the 2026 fees are $300 (minor) or $1,140 (Sensitive Terrestrial Ecosystem, Aquatic Ecosystem, Hillside or Wildfire Interface DPA); fees rise 2% each January 1.","short":"No tree fee; $300 or $1,140 if development permit needed","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/cbpflexp/b0028-fees-and-charges-consolidated.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 0028, Schedule 5 (PDF)","section":"Schedule 5, Development Permit","quotes":["Application Type 2024 Fee 2025 Fee 2026 Fee 2027 Fee 2028 Fee 2029 Fee 2030 Fee","Minor. $280.00 $290.00 $300.00 $310.00 $320.00 $330.00 $340.00","Sensitive Terrestrial $1080.00 $1110.00 $1140.00 $1170.00 $1200.00 $1230.00 $1260.00","Hillside and/ or $1080.00 $1110.00 $1140.00 $1170.00 $1200.00 $1230.00 $1260.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"replacement":{"label":"Replacement trees","value":"A Development Permit application for non-hazard tree removal must show the number, size, species and location of proposed replacement plantings. Where trees are removed from sensitive ecosystems, a 3:1 replacement ratio is typically to be considered.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.westkelownacity.ca/media/lu5ggedt/tree-removal.pdf","title":"Tree Removal Considerations bulletin (PDF)","section":"Minor DP; Other considerations","quotes":["The number, size, species, and location(s) of proposed replacement plantings","Typically a 3:1 tree replacement ratio should be considered."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"city_trees":{"label":"City trees","value":"Parks and public spaces: no cutting, injuring or removing a tree without the City's prior written approval; the City may require a letter of credit, and a person who removes a tree without approval may have to pay its appraised value plus removal and replacement costs. On a highway or boulevard: no cutting down or removing trees without a permit from the General Manager.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/l2abqrpd/b0184-parks_and_public_spaces-consolidated.pdf","title":"Parks and Public Spaces Bylaw No. 0184 (PDF)","section":"s. 3.14","quotes":["Remove, cut down, destroy or injure a tree or part of a tree located in a Park or Public Space except with the prior written approval of the City;","Any person who injures, destroys or removes a tree without prior written approval of the City may be subject to providing payment to the City in an amount sufficient to cover the appraised value of the tree"]},{"url":"https://www.westkelownacity.ca/media/0rpnaimw/0331-traffic-bylaw.pdf","title":"Traffic Bylaw No. 0331 (PDF)","section":"s. 8.1(e)","quotes":["Except as authorized by a permit issued by the General Manager pursuant to this bylaw,","cut down or remove trees or timber growing on a highway"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"$500 for damaging trees in a park or public space (Parks and Public Spaces Bylaw s. 3.14) and $500 for cutting down or removing trees on a highway (Traffic Bylaw s. 8.1(e)). Same amounts in the bylaw notice and municipal ticket schedules. No ticket found for removing a tree on private land.","short":"No private-land ticket; park or highway trees $500","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/n4hdhy3i/b0093-bylaw-dispute-adjudication-consolidated.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 0093 (consolidated), Schedule 4","section":"Schedule 12 (Parks); Schedule 16 (Traffic)","quotes":["Damage trees 3.14 a), b) & c) $ 500.00","8.1(e) Excavation of highway/tree removal 500.00"]},{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/dz1mghbc/b0095-municipal-ticket-information-utilization-consolidated.pdf","title":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/dz1mghbc/b0095-municipal-ticket-information-utilization-consolidated.pdf","section":"Schedule 12 (Parks); Schedule 16 (Traffic)","quotes":["Damage trees 3.14 a), b) & c) $ 500.00","8.1(e) Excavation of highway/tree removal 500.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 0300, Section 4 (Development Permit Areas); there is no separate tree bylaw. City land: Parks and Public Spaces Bylaw No. 0184, 2015, s. 3.14; highways: Traffic Bylaw No. 0331, 2025, s. 8.1(e).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.westkelownacity.ca/city-hall/bylaws/alphabetical-listing/","title":"Bylaws - Alphabetical Listing, City of West Kelowna","section":"Bylaws - Alphabetical Listing","quotes":["Official Community Plan B0300"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":7,"stated":7,"matched":7,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nNo City bylaw regulates trees on private property. The rules come through Development Permit Areas in [Official Community Plan Bylaw 0300](https://www.westkelownacity.ca/media/dqmfdici/0300-official-community-plan-section-4.pdf): Hillside (slopes of 20% or more), Aquatic (riparian) and Sensitive Terrestrial Ecosystem areas, all mapped on WestMap. Clearing trees inside one needs a Development Permit unless an exemption applies. Also check your title for a covenant.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check WestMap for a Development Permit Area and your title for a covenant.\n2. Call Development Services at 778-797-8830 to confirm whether you need a permit.\n3. If you do, apply with the number, size, species and location of the trees to be removed and of the replacement plantings.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Exempt: maintaining or repairing existing landscape without excavation, and removing trees an ISA Certified Arborist designates hazardous (the arborist's report goes to the City). Emergency cutting of an immediate danger is exempt, as is normal farm practice on ALR land. Each area lists further exemptions.\n- A Development Permit application for non-hazard trees must show replacement plantings. In sensitive ecosystems a 3:1 replacement ratio is typically considered.\n- Respect bird nesting periods, typically March 1 to August 31.\n- City land is different. In parks and public spaces you need the City's prior written approval to cut, injure or remove a tree, and removing one without approval can mean paying its appraised value plus removal and replacement costs. On a highway or boulevard you need a permit from the General Manager.\n- A bylaw notice or municipal ticket is $500 for damaging a tree in a park or public space, and $500 for removing a tree on a highway. No ticket was found for private land.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.westkelownacity.ca/media/lu5ggedt/tree-removal.pdf","title":"Tree Removal Considerations bulletin (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.westkelownacity.ca/media/dqmfdici/0300-official-community-plan-section-4.pdf","title":"Official Community Plan Bylaw 0300, Section 4 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.westkelownacity.ca/building-business-development/bulletins/","title":"Bulletins, City of West Kelowna","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/cbpflexp/b0028-fees-and-charges-consolidated.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 0028, Schedule 5 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/l2abqrpd/b0184-parks_and_public_spaces-consolidated.pdf","title":"Parks and Public Spaces Bylaw No. 0184 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.westkelownacity.ca/media/0rpnaimw/0331-traffic-bylaw.pdf","title":"Traffic Bylaw No. 0331 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/n4hdhy3i/b0093-bylaw-dispute-adjudication-consolidated.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 0093 (consolidated), Schedule 4","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/dz1mghbc/b0095-municipal-ticket-information-utilization-consolidated.pdf","title":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/dz1mghbc/b0095-municipal-ticket-information-utilization-consolidated.pdf","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.westkelownacity.ca/city-hall/bylaws/alphabetical-listing/","title":"Bylaws - Alphabetical Listing, City of West Kelowna","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 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/tree-removal/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/tree-removal.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/tree-removal.json"}}