Do I need a permit to cut down a tree?

Trees & tree removal — Medicine Hat, Alberta: City of Medicine Hat Tree Preservation Bylaw No. 4218

In the City of Medicine Hat, Alberta, trees & tree removal rules are set by City of Medicine Hat Tree Preservation Bylaw No. 4218, verified 2026-09-27. Fines: Specified penalty $350; first offence not less than $300 nor more than $500; subsequent offence not less than $700 nor more than $10,000. A permit is required. Replacement required: Party requesting removal shall pay costs of removal/relocation and inventory and replacement cost of the Tree being removed, as determined by City Arborist.

City of Medicine Hat Tree Preservation Bylaw No. 4218 adopted bylaw

permit required	yes	s. 3(b)
applies to private property	yes	s. 15
protected threshold	Public Trees (any Tree with any part of trunk on Public Land); Tree defined as min caliper 2.5 cm and min height 1.5 m; Elm Tree (Ulmus genus) for disease control.	s. 2(n), 2(r), 2(g)
replacement required	Party requesting removal shall pay costs of removal/relocation and inventory and replacement cost of the Tree being removed, as determined by City Arborist.	s. 10(b)
boulevard trees	Boulevards are Public Land; no person other than City Arborist may damage, disturb, prune or remove Public Trees without Parks Manager approval.	s. 2(m), 3(b)
fine range	Specified penalty $350; first offence not less than $300 nor more than $500; subsequent offence not less than $700 nor more than $10,000.	s. 26, s. 28

scout note

Protects any "Public Tree" (trunk on City land, incl. boulevards/road rights-of-way) from damage, pruning or removal without City Arborist authorization; sets Dutch Elm Disease/Emerald Ash Borer controls and bans elm pruning April 1-Sept 30; $300-$10,000 fines.