Energy, Mines, and Resources

Timber Harvest Permits Approval Process

You must obtain a timber permit to cut and remove trees on Yukon land.

There are several types of permits, depending on your project size and the intent of use, so it is essential that you have a clear idea of what you want to harvest and produce before you start the permitting process.

You need to identify the amount and type of timber you need (e.g. saw logs, building logs, fire wood, etc.) and familiarize yourself with the Timber Regulation  62 KB.

If you are not sure which type of permit you need to apply for, visit your local Client Services and Inspections (CSI) District Office, with the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources. A Natural Resource Officer (NRO) will be available to tell you which areas are available for timber harvesting and help you complete the application.

Timber Harvesting Permits

Who's Eligible?
Anyone can apply for a timber permit in the Yukon, but depending on the size of your project, you may be required to meet specific eligibility criteria.

How are permits classified?
There are two general types of permits in the Yukon: personal use and timber (which is commonly referred to as commercial use).

Personal use permits are available for anyone who wants small amounts of firewood, poles, Christmas trees, house building logs or a small volume of round wood (saw logs) for non-commercial use see Timber Regulation  62 KB. There are also special conditions for traditional use of forest products by First Nations people and subsistence users such as trappers and prospectors. Applications for personal use permits and for timber permits up to 1000 m3 are issued by your local Client Services and Inspections (CSI) District Office.

The second type of permit - timber permits - are available to applicants who need a supply of wood for their business or to sell (e.g. firewood sales, saw-milling, house building or other ventures). Large permits (for volumes over 1000 m3) require a significant amount of pre-planning and consultation, which is undertaken by the Forest Management Branch. This branch is also responsible for issuing the permit. We will only accept applications for green wood timber permits over 1000 m3 in areas that have been planned, consultations undertaken and advertised.

Timber Permits and Fees Schedule

Permit
Class

Permit Type and Volume
(TR Section 6)

Volume (m3)

Application Fee
(TR Schedule 1)

Permit Time
and Issuer 

A

Round Wood
not to exceed 20,000 m3

Under 100 m3

100 to 1000 m3

Over 1000 m3

$10

$50

$100

1 - 30 days Client Services and Inspections District Office

1 - 30 days Client Services and Inspections District Office

2 - 6 months Forest Management Branch

B

Two year Round Wood up
to 40, 000 m3 not to exceed
25,000 m3 in one year

Under 100 m3

100 to 1000 m3

Over 1000 m3

$10

$50

$100

1 - 30 days Client Services and Inspections District Office

1 - 30 days Client Services and Inspections District Office

2 - 6 months Forest Management Branch

C

Three year Round Wood up to 60,000 m3 not to exceed 25,000 m3 in one year

Under 100 m3

100 to 1000 m3

Over 1000 m3

$10

$50

$100

1 - 30 days Client Services and Inspections District Office

1 - 30 days Client Services and Inspections District Office

2 - 6 months Forest Management Branch

D

Fuel Wood less than 2.5 m in length
not to exceed 1000 m3

All

$10

1 - 30 days Client Services and Inspections District Office

E

Round Wood by Public Tenure in a priority harvest area not to exceed 40,000 m3

All

$100

2 - 6 months Forest Management Branch

F

Round Wood by Public Tenure not to exceed 20,000 m3

All

$100

1 - 2 months Forest Management Branch

G

Round Wood
not to exceed 1000 m3
 

Christmas Trees and Transplants
(no permit required unless for resale;
for household use first two are free)

Deciduous

Under 100 m3
100 to 1000 m3             

Under 100 m3
100 to 1000 m3

Under 100 m3
100 to 1000 m3

$10
$50

$10
$50

$10
$50

1 - 30 days Client Services and Inspections District Office

1 - 30 days Client Services and Inspections District Office

1 - 30 days Client Services and Inspections District Office

H

Round Wood for personal,
non-commercial use not to exceed 80 trees

All

$10

1 - 30 days Client Services and Inspections District Office

FMB - Forest Management Branch

There are two categories of project descriptions: projects that involve permitting for volumes of wood less than or equal to 1000 m3; and projects that involve permitting for volumes of wood exceeding 1000 m3.

Forestry Approval Steps

  • Visit your local CSI District Office to discuss the available timber harvesting locations.
  • Complete the Timber Application Form and submit along with the fees to your local CSI District Office. Make sure your application is accurate and includes your preferred available harvest location. Applications are allocated depending on wood availability. All applicants must be in good standing and have no outstanding dues or fees.
  • Timber permits up to 1000 m3 are issued by the CSI District Offices. You will need to complete a project description. The District staff will tell you if they are required to conduct additional First Nation consultation and if an environmental screening is required. After the officer has completed the review of your project description the timber permit is issued with terms and conditions for harvesting and subject to all other authorities.
  • Timber permits over 1000 m3 are issued by the Forest Management Branch of EMR. The branch will notify you if you are eligible for a permit and send you information about your harvest location. You will need to fill out a detailed project description, which will be screened through Yukon's Environmental Assessment Act  and the local First Nation will be consulted. After the review of your project description is completed, the timber permit is issued with terms and conditions for harvesting and subject to all other authorities.
  • You must ensure that your final field layout meets the mitigation and terms and conditions of the permit before it is approved.
  • A CSI Natural Resource Officer will monitor your project to ensure compliance with the permit terms and conditions. You are required to report the timber harvested, scale the timber and pay dues.
  • Your project is considered finished when all the terms and conditions in the permit are met and all dues are paid.

Eligibility criteria for a commercial use timber permit:

  • describe your knowledge of environmental protection and conservation measures related to the local harvesting conditions;
  • describe your experience in the forestry industry;
  • describe your capacity to harvest the type and size of permit for which you are applying; and
  • supply a list of any previous permits.*

*If you have not previously been issued a timber permit, you may be required to pay a security deposit.

Forestry - Contact Us:

Mile 918 Alaska Highway
Box 2703, Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2C6
Phone: 867.456.3999 / 1.800.661.0408 ext. 3999
Fax: 867.667.3138
E-mail: forestry@gov.yk.ca