Effective April 1, 2023: the Departments of Lands and Environment and Natural Resources have merged into one.

Apply for timber permits and licences

    Do I need a timber permit or licence?

    If you are conducting timber operations, you need to follow all applicable federal and territorial legislation.

    Authorizations for commercial timber harvesting in the Northwest Territories (NWT) are volume-based. If you are an operator and want to harvest timber commercially in the NWT, you must apply to obtain the correct permits and licences.

    This section provides an overview. For more details:

    Permit to cut wood (free)

    Who needs this permit?

    You need this permit to harvest firewood in the NWT.

    How much does it cost?

    There is no charge for this permit.

    Where can I get it?

    Available in person from your local or regional Environment and Climate Change office.

    Timber cutting permit (free)

    Who needs this permit?

    You need this permit if you plan to cut up to 60 cubic metres of fuelwood, building logs, transplants (maximum of 20 trees), fence posts, or timber in a given area during a period of up to one year.

    How much does it cost?

    There is no charge for this permit.

    Where can I get it?

    Available in person from your local or regional Environment and Climate Change office.

    Timber cutting licence

    Who needs this licence?

    You need this licence if you are a business and intend to commercially harvest timber. The licence is based on how much you cut, and authorizes you to cut timber in a given area during a period of up to five years.

    How much does it cost?

    $150

    Where can I get it?

    Available in person from your local or regional Environment and Climate Change office.

    Timber cutting permit

    Who needs this permit?

    You need this permit if you plan to cut up to 5000 cubic metres of timber during a period of up to one year.

    How much does it cost?

    $20

    Where can I get it?

    Available in person from your local or regional Environment and Climate Change office.

    Timber transport permit

    Who needs this permit?

    You need this permit if you plan to transport timber on public transportation routes in the Northwest Territories.

    How much does it cost?

    There is no charge for this permit.

    Where can I get it?

    Available in person from your local or regional Environment and Climate Change office.

    Timber export permit

    Who needs this licence?

    You need this permit if you plan to export timber harvested in the Northwest Territories.

    How much does it cost?

    $25

    Where can I get it?

    Available in person from your local or regional Environment and Climate Change office.

    Scaling licence

    Who needs this licence?

    You need this licence if you plan to measure timber by scaling.

    How much does it cost?

    $10

    Where can I get it?

    Available in person from your local or regional Environment and Climate Change office.

    Mill licence

    Who needs this licence?

    You need this licence if you plan to mill over 300 cubic metres of timber.

    How much does it cost?

    $25

    Where can I get it?

    Available in person from your local or regional Environment and Climate Change office.

    Forest research licence

    Who needs this licence?

    You need this licence if you plan to conduct research about forests on public land. You may also need approval from the council of the municipality in or near the area where you are doing the research.

    How much does it cost?

    $25

    Where can I get it?

    Available in person from your local or regional Environment and Climate Change office.

    Christmas trees

    No permit is required to cut and transport up to two Christmas trees (less than 5m tall) for a person’s own use.

    Residents are advised to avoid cutting trees within 60 metres of any water body or public road, or trees that are located on someone else’s property, trapline or private lands. Harvested trees should be outside of city limits. Harvesters also cannot leave a stump larger than 30cm.