Tree Management
Our Tree Bylaw manages and protects trees in the City of Courtenay.
Garry Oak trees and Dogwood trees are protected throughout the City. If you have Garry Oaks or Dogwoods on your property, we will assist you in finding ways to preserve the trees, while respecting your needs. By working together, we will ensure that there will be Garry Oaks and Dogwoods in the Comox Valley for future generations.
We manage and protect trees by designating Significant Tree Areas and Tree Protection Areas. In addition, provincial Riparian Area Regulations impact what trees can be removed. If you are planning to cut down trees, and are within a Significant Tree Area or Tree Protection Area, or if the tree(s) is within 30 m of a watercourse, please contact us for a review of your plans. Development in these areas requires a permit which will generally allow you to remove trees within the construction zone following issuance of a permit. Please note, tree cutting within 30 m of streams or other watercourses that contain fish habitat may require a riparian area assessment which identifies required stream side setbacks. For more information on Riparian Area Regulations visit the Ministry of Environment's website
Normal maintenance and pruning is generally allowed. Dead, diseased or damaged trees may have to be removed. However, always contact us first if your property is in a 1) Tree Protection Area, 2) Significant Tree Area, 3) within 30 m of a stream or other watercourse or 4) if the tree is a Garry Oak or Dogwood.
Please feel free to contact the City of Courtenay for more information on tree cutting permits.
Tree Management & Protection Amendment Bylaw No. 2461, 2006
Tree Cutting Permit Area Map (826 KB)
Please be advised that the above-noted bylaw was approved by Council on May 8, 2006.
In summary, the bylaw applies to:
- all protected trees
- all trees on properties greater than 1 hectare or within a Tree Permit Area
- all significant trees
- all trees within 30 metres of Arden Creek, Courtenay River, Morrison Creek, Portuguese Creek, Puntledge River, Tsolum River, Piercy Creek, Millard Creek, Little River, all stream estuaries and Comox Harbour and 15 metres from all other streams, lakes and wetlands
- all trees in riparian assessment areas
The application requirements have been amended to include the following:
- inventory of existing trees
- identification of trees to be protected, removed and the alterations to be carried out
- report from professional engineer or professional biologist storm water management plan and sediment control measures
- demonstration that consideration has been given to the preservation of important trees
- riparian area assessment when tree cutting is within 30m of streams or other watercourses which contain fish habitat
Last Update : Wednesday, December 09, 2009