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Whistler tree removal rules and permits

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

Whistler, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

Short answer

Usually yes in Whistler, to cut a Significant Tree, a tree within 30 m of a watercourse, or any tree that would leave your lot below its Tree Density Minimum. The bylaw covers trees 15 cm or more across. A permit costs $250 for up to 10 trees, $400 for more.

Key facts

When a permit is neededYes, usually, to cut a Significant Tree, a tree within 30 m of a stream, lake, wetland or other watercourse, or any tree if it would leave the lot below its Tree Density Minimum. The bylaw covers trees 15 cm or more across, measured 140 cm above the ground. Check first whether a development permit is needed.Can I cut a tree?, When you need a tree cutting permit; Can I cut a tree?, Understanding how we protect trees; Can I cut a tree?, To cut a tree on your property · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
to cut any tree defined as a Significant Tree.
to cut a tree in a riparian area. This means within 30 metres of a stream, lake, wetland or other watercourse.
if cutting the tree would mean you won't have enough trees to meet your lot's Tree Density Minimum.
This bylaw applies to all trees in Whistler with a diameter of 15 cm or more, measured 140 cm from the ground.
First, confirm if you need a development permit to cut or alter a tree on your property.
ExemptionsNo permit if cutting keeps the lot above its Tree Density Minimum and avoids Significant and riparian trees; for work under a development or building permit (only reasonable construction access or clearance); emergency removal of a High Risk Tree (assessor report within 48 hours); invasive species; limited pruning.Can I cut a tree?, Exemptions where you don't need a tree cutting permit; Tree Cutting Permit Application, Appendix B (Bylaw s. 6) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
When you have a valid permit from us allowing you to cut trees, such as a development or building permit.
To cut high-risk trees.
To prune and limb trees for tree health, safety and wildfire mitigation.
To remove invasive tree species.
To cut trees when you're staying above the minimum tree density required on the lot and you're not cutting Significant Trees.
the Cutting does not result in less than the Tree Density Minimum for the subject lot, unless the
Tree is a Significant Tree or is located within a Riparian Area;
emergency Cutting or removal of a Tree that is determined to be a High Risk Tree, provided that
Fee$250 to cut up to 10 trees; $400 to cut more than 10 trees.Can I cut a tree?, Tree cutting permit fees · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
$250 to cut up to 10 trees
$400 to cut more than 10 trees
Replacement treesIf cutting leaves the lot under its Tree Density Minimum, replacement trees are required (kept smaller trees count). Large, Old and Wildlife Habitat trees are replaced 3:1. Security: $250 per retained tree (max $5,000) and $1,000 per new planted tree (max $50,000).Can I cut a tree?, Replacing trees when there aren't enough on a lot; Tree Cutting Permit Application, Part F, Replacement Trees · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
You will need to plant trees if you want to cut a tree down and it would leave your lot without enough trees to meet its Tree Density Minimum.
You may also be required to replace trees if you cut certain Significant Trees.
$250 per retained tree (max $5,000)
$1,000 per new planted tree (max $50,000)
Total number of replacement trees required (at 3:1 replacement ratio):
City treesCutting, damaging or destroying any tree or plant on municipal land, or removing a tree, plant, rock or soil from it, is an offence under Environmental Protection Bylaw No. 2426, 2025 (s. 13).Municipal Ticket Information System Implementation Bylaw No. 1719, 2005, Schedule B (Environmental Protection Bylaw No. 2426, 2025), s. 13 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Cut, damage or destroy any tree or plant on municipal land
Remove any rock, soil, tree or plant on municipal land
Environmental Protection Bylaw No. 2426, 2025
FineFor cutting a tree without a required permit. Bylaw notice: $500, or $400 if paid early. Municipal ticket: $3,000. A court conviction can bring up to $50,000.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2174, 2018, Tree Protection Bylaw No. 2435, 2025, s. 5 (Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2174, 2018, Schedule); Municipal Ticket Information System Implementation Bylaw No. 1719, 2005, Schedule B23 (Municipal Ticket Information System Implementation Bylaw No. 1719, 2005) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
5 Cut a tree without a required permit $500 $400 No
Cut a tree without a required permit 5 $3000
BylawTree Protection Bylaw No. 2435, 2025Municipal Ticket Information System Implementation Bylaw No. 1719, 2005, Schedule B23; Can I cut a tree?, Understanding how we protect trees · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Tree Protection Bylaw No. 2435, 2025
We brought in our Tree Protection Bylaw in June 2025 to increase protection for Whistler's trees and regulate tree cutting.

How it works

Whistler's Tree Protection Bylaw No. 2435, 2025 covers trees 15 cm or more across, measured 1.4 m above the ground. Check first whether you need a development permit; if you do, you do not also need a tree cutting permit. You need a Tree Cutting Permit (with some exceptions) to cut or alter:

  • a Significant Tree: a covenanted tree over 15 cm, a tree over 15 cm within 20 m of the Highway 99 right-of-way, a tree over 60 cm, a tree over 15 cm and over 250 years old, or a wildlife habitat tree;
  • a tree of any size within 30 m of a stream, lake, wetland or other watercourse;
  • any tree over 15 cm if it would leave the lot with fewer trees than its Tree Density Minimum (60 trees per hectare in residential, leisure, rural resource and tourist pension zones).

Steps

  1. Ask Planning (604-935-8170, planning@whistler.ca) whether a development permit is needed.
  2. Check the exemptions in Appendix B of the application form.
  3. If none applies, complete the application form (PDF) and email treecuttingpermits@whistler.ca.
  4. If cutting leaves the lot under its Tree Density Minimum, plan replacement trees (kept smaller trees count).

Good to know

  • No permit is needed for work under a development or building permit (reasonable construction access or clearance only), emergency removal of a High Risk Tree (assessor report within 48 hours), invasive species, or limited pruning.
  • Large, Old and Wildlife Habitat trees are replaced 3:1. Security is $250 per retained tree (up to $5,000) and $1,000 per new planted tree (up to $50,000).
  • Bird nesting period, March 15 to August 15: a survey is needed. Provincial and federal laws can still apply.
  • Cutting a tree without a required permit: a bylaw notice is $500, or $400 if paid early; a municipal ticket is $3,000; a court conviction can bring up to $50,000.
  • Cutting, damaging or destroying any tree or plant on municipal land is an offence under Environmental Protection Bylaw No. 2426, 2025.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Squamish · Lions Bay · Anmore · District of North Vancouver · Bowen Island · West Vancouver

Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Tree Cutting Permit Application (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  2. Can I cut a tree?, Resort Municipality of Whistler (read 2026-11-06)
  3. Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2174, 2018 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  4. Municipal Ticket Information System Implementation Bylaw No. 1719, 2005 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)

Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.