Permits and bylaws
Tree permits and bylaws in the Comox Valley
Courtenay Tree Removal navigates local tree rules across 4 permit authorities in the Comox Valley. The City of Courtenay regulates by lot size and trunk diameter, Comox adopted Tree Protection Bylaw No. 2063 in June 2026, and Cumberland has no private-property tree bylaw. We confirm the exact requirements for your address before you cut.
Updated August 2026
Which rules apply to your tree depends entirely on which side of a municipal boundary it stands on. Two properties a road apart can have completely different answers, and we work out which one is yours before we quote. Every visit starts with the same two measurements whichever authority applies: the species, and the trunk diameter at chest height. Each local permit desk establishes thresholds using trunk diameter and property acreage. We measure trunk diameter and property size on site so you know your exact permit status. We record these details during our initial estimate visit to keep your pricing and permit steps synchronized.
Permits cover municipal rules; see our tree removal page for how we safely take down trees.
What does the City of Courtenay require?
If your lot exceeds 4,000 m², you need a permit for trees over 20 cm across or protected species. On smaller properties, you require a permit if a tree exceeds 20 cm across at chest height, belongs to six protected species, or sits within a riparian zone. A permit is also required on a smaller lot if removing the tree would drop it below the City's Tree Density Target of 50 trees per hectare of developable land. The City protects Garry oak, Pacific dogwood, western white pine, Pacific yew, trembling aspen and arbutus whenever they grow over 0.5 m tall. A general permit is $100, a large-property permit $500, and a hazardous tree permit costs nothing. Permit requirements include $300 per tree cash-in-lieu for municipal planting funds and a $1,000 security per protected species.
What changed in Comox in 2026?
It works on species and size rather than lot area. Comox requires a permit at 20 cm across at chest height for nine priority native species, including Douglas fir and western redcedar. Everything else needs one at 30 cm. Trees measuring 50 cm or larger are Protected Trees, alongside any Town, covenant, replacement or retained trees of any size. If an urgent hazard requires immediate cutting, you must file the permit application within three business days after the work.
Does Cumberland regulate private trees?
Not at present. The Village has been reviewing options for private-property tree protection and has not adopted a bylaw, so a tree on private land in Cumberland comes down without a municipal permit. Because municipal rules can change, we verify current Village guidelines before issuing your quote.
What about Royston, Merville and the rural areas?
Those addresses sit in Comox Valley Regional District electoral areas, and the regional district does not run a general tree-cutting permit for private property the way the City does. Rural properties follow development permit areas for aquatic and riparian habitats set out in the Rural Comox Valley Official Community Plan. We review regional map layers to identify applicable development permit zones before booking your work.
Who fills in the permit application?
You file the permit application, and we supply the exact tree measurements, species details and fee guidance you need. We identify which of the four authorities covers your address, confirm local rules, take required tree measurements, and hand you the completed details for your application. During our visit, we record the tree species, trunk diameter at chest height, property line distances and photos so you have everything ready. We gather all required measurements while walking your property for the quote so you can submit your permit without delay. If you are not sure which authority your address falls under, tell us the address and we will look it up — it takes a couple of minutes on the phone.
Related: Comox · Cumberland · Royston · Merville
We check your property address against all four permit desks before we quote. Send your details to request a free tree removal quote and we will guide you through the rules.