Do I need a permit to cut down a tree?

Trees & tree removal — Smithers, British Columbia

In the Town of Smithers, British Columbia, permit required: True; applies to private property: True; protected threshold: Any tree having a diameter greater than 6 (2.4 inches) centimetres; replacement required: Plant a replacement tree... Provide... security in the amount of 120% of the total cost... in the form of cash or letter of credit. Source: Tree Preservation Bylaw No. 1365 (Consolidated to Jan 2020), verified 2026-08-28.

Tree Preservation Bylaw No. 1365 (Consolidated to Jan 2020) adopted bylaw

permit required	True	s. 5(a)
applies to private property	True	s. 3(b)
protected threshold	Any tree having a diameter greater than 6 (2.4 inches) centimetres	s. 1(i)
replacement required	Plant a replacement tree... Provide... security in the amount of 120% of the total cost... in the form of cash or letter of credit	s. 13(a), s. 13(c)
fine range	not less than $500.00... first offence... not less than $1,000.00... subsequent offence	s. 16(a)

scout note

Requires a permit to cut/remove protected trees over set diameter thresholds (6-10cm depending on species); sets replacement-tree ratios and development-permit tree protection.