Trees

Thousands of trees make up Whistler’s forests, which characterize our resort community and provide many environmental, recreational, aesthetic, economic and health benefits. The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) has policies and processes in place to protect trees from unnecessary harm or removal.

Do you need RMOW permission to cut a tree?

It depends. There are various regulations and site-specific conditions at play to determine the appropriate process for each tree or site.

Please email the RMOW Environmental Coordinator or call at 604-935-8374 to help determine whether you need permission to alter or cut a tree on your property.

Tree Cutting Permits

As per the Environmental Protection Bylaw, a Tree Cutting Permit is required prior to cutting, topping or limbing:

Other Permission

If your property is within a Development Permit Area or Land Use Contract, RMOW permission is required, instead of a tree cutting permit. A Development Permit or other form of permission may be required prior to cutting, topping or limbing:

Trees located within a tree preservation area as designated in a covenant, if the covenant requires the owner of the land to obtain permission from the RMOW to cut or alter the tree.

You can review your property title to see if there are any relevant covenants on your land.

Trees located on single family home properties within a Development Permit Area and within 30m of a waterway.

Visit Development Permits to find out if your property is in a Development Permit Area.

Trees located within 20m of the Highway 99 right-of-way.

(applies to trees 15cm or more in diameter, as measured 1.4 metres from the base)

Trees located on properties within a Development Permit Area.

Visit Development Permits to find out if your property is in a Development Permit Area.

Trees identified as heritage trees.

(Note: Heritage trees have not yet been identified)

Trees located in Land Use Contract areas.

Visit the RMOW GIS page to find out if your property is within a LUC.

In these situations, please:

Contact

Environmental Coordinator

Tree Cutting Permit Application are available online

There is a mandatory report template for submitting applications to FireSmart a property.

In these situations, please:

Contact

Planning Department
604-935-8170

There is a mandatory report template for submitting applications to FireSmart a property.

Are there penalties for removing or damaging an applicable tree?

Yes. The Environmental Protection Bylaw outlines that if an applicable tree is cut without the relevant RMOW permission, a ticket in the amount of $1,000 per day may be issued until the situation is resolved. In cases of non-compliance, Bylaw Services manages the ticketing process.

Additional regulations

Provincial or federal laws may require an assessment, approval or permit process to cut or alter certain trees. For example, the Heritage Conservation Act requires a permit for the alteration or removal of a culturally modified tree.

Riparian Areas – The British Columbia Riparian Areas Protection Regulation must be followed in order to alter or cut trees located within 30m of a waterway but not meeting any of the above criteria for requiring RMOW permission.

Birds and Bird Nests – The Migratory Birds Convention Act and the BC Wildlife Act can affect tree removal or modification since birds, eggs and nest trees are protected by law. Section 34 of the B.C. Wildlife Act provides year-round protection to birds' nests. If you wish to remove or modify nest trees, you must seek permission and obtain a written permit from the Ministry of Environment's Permit & Authorization Service Bureau AND you should check with Environment Canada to see if a federal permit is required under the Migratory Birds Convention Act regulations.