Various Forestry permits and licences may be obtained by contacting your nearest Forest Management District Office.
- Commercial Cutting Permit
- Current Commercial Opportunities
- Timber Sale Agreement
- Timber Purchase Licence
- Domestic Cutting Permit
- Domestic Mill Licence
- Commercial Mill Licence
- Operating Permit
- Permit to Burn
- Permit to Export Timber
- Timber Scaling Licence
- Permit and Licence Fees
Commercial Cutting Permit
A permit issued under the Forestry Regulations to cut and remove from Crown or public land, timber for sale or barter.
There are two categories of Commercial Cutting Permits in the Province.
- Annual Commercial Cutting Permit are:
- for allocations of less than 5,000 cubic meters; and
- issued throughout the year and unless otherwise stated, expire on December 31.
- Five-year Commercial Cutting Permits are:
- for allocations of 5,000 cubic metres to 50,000 cubic metres;
- only available to existing operators who have demonstrated a history of harvesting their annual commercial cutting permits; and
- allocated in Forest Management Districts that have adequate timber supply and resource access.
To apply for a new Commercial Cutting Permit an applicant must demonstrate the viability of the proposed venture.
Commercial Cutting Permit Application Form(178KB)
Cutting Permit Allocation Policy(244 KB)
Please contact any local Forest Management District Office for further information on obtaining a Commercial Cutting Permit.
Commercial harvesting areas and volume allocation are determined in accordance with the approved Sustainable Forest Management Plan for each Forest Management District.
Click Here for more information on District Planning.
Current Commercial Opportunities
When available, Request for Proposals of Future Commercial Forest Harvesting opportunities will be presented here.
Timber Sale Agreement
A Timber Sale Agreement (TSA) is a contractual agreement between government and a registered company, for the harvest and extraction of timber from forested parcels of Crown land. Any registered business that qualifies and has an interest in harvesting these areas may bid in an open and fair, competitive bidding process.
All TSA areas are approved through existing five-year Forestry and annual operating plan approvals and have been vetted through Environmental Assessment. The term of each TSA will vary and may depend on the Forest Management Plan expiry date or the applicants proposed harvesting schedule. A TSA may be valid for a period not exceeding five years.
Click Here for more information on Timber Sale Agreements and areas currently available.
Timber Purchase Licence
A licence issued under the Forestry Act giving permission to a person to purchase or acquire timber cut on Crown or public land for subsequent sale or barter, or for processing into a product which is intended to be sold or bartered.
Domestic Cutting Permit
New: Domestic Wood Cutting Permit applications can now be obtained online and renewed online at the MyGovNL Portal. The interactive Domestic Harvest Maps can be viewed in our GIS and Mapping Division Hub, you can zoom to and click on the area that you want and download the map.
Online Domestic Wood Cutting Permit Application Process Video
- Timber harvested under a Domestic Cutting Permit may be given as a gift to another individual(s). Any timber given must be accompanied by a note containing information as outlined on the Domestic Cutting Permit.
- Domestic Cutting Permit holders may include multiple assistants on their permit to aid in cutting their allocated volume of timber.
Gifting of Wood Regulations
- Persons receiving timber as a gift must be in possession of a letter from the gifter containing the name and address of the gifter and indicating that the timber was gifted to the person in possession of the timber. The letter should include:
- Domestic permit number under which the timber was harvested
- Name and address of the domestic permit holder
- Name of person receiving timber as a gift;
- Quantity of timber that is being gifted;
- Date that the timber was gifted;
- The holder of a domestic cutting permit does not have to be on site when harvesting is taking place. However, the assistant(s) must be able to provide the permit for inspection if requested by a Conservation Officer when engaged in cutting timber on behalf of another individual.
- A domestic cutting permit holder may give away any or all of the timber allocated for harvest under that permit.
- A domestic cutting permit holder is only allowed to harvest the volume of wood stated on the permit regardless if the timber is gifted or not.
Under the Forestry Act, Cutting of Timber Regulations, a cutting permit is required to cut timber on or remove timber from Crown lands or public lands. Permits for cutting timber are personal use, and not for sale or barter, are referred to as Domestic Cutting Permits.
The fee for a Domestic Cutting Permit is $25, however, senior citizens can avail of the reduced fee of $16.25.
The volume of timber allowed to be cut and removed under a Domestic Cutting Permit is based on local annual allowable amounts and will be indicated on the permit. Harvesting areas and volume allocation are determined in accordance with the approved Sustainable Forest Management Plan for each Forest Management District. Click Here for more information on District Planning.
Domestic Cutting Permits are valid for the current calendar year and can be obtained in person, by phone or mail through any Forestry and Wildlife District Office. If eligible, residents can renew a Domestic Cutting Permit online.
Environmental Management System (EMS) Guide to Domestic Woodcutting (315 KB)
For more information on available domestic cutting areas, how to acquire a Domestic Cutting Permit, or Domestic Cutting Permit conditions and regulations, please contact your local Forest Management District Office or refer to the website (http://www.assembly.nl.ca/Legislation/sr/Regulations/rc961108.htm).
Note: The Provincial Government Issuance of Domestic Cutting Permits Policy requires individuals seeking Domestic Cutting Permits to initially provide proof of identification. A government issued driver’s licence is the preferred form of identification; however, other sources of identification may be accepted. Please contact your local Forestry and Wildlife District Office for more information.
Commercial Mill Licence
A licence issued to operate a mill for commercial purposes including sale, gift or barter. Anyone planning to operate a sawmill to saw timber on Crown, private, or public lands must first obtain a licence to operate the mill. The licence required will depend on the purpose and the amount of timber to be sawn.
Domestic Mill Licence
A licence issued to operate a mill to produce products for the sole use of the operator and not for sale, barter, or gift, at a level not to exceed 5000 fbm (foot board measure) or the sawlog portion of the permittee’s domestic cutting permit whichever is the lesser.
Operating Permit
A permit issued in accordance with the Forest Fire Regulations giving permission to carry out a logging or industrial operation during the Forest Fire Season on Crown or private land at a specified site.
Permit to Burn
Each year a specified period for the Forest Fire Season is declared by the minister. If conditions warrant, the season can be extended beyond the specified periods. During the Forest Fire Season a permit to burn must be obtained to ignite a fire on or within 300 meters of forest land.
Public Reminders for the Forest Fire Season
Permit to Export Timber
A permit issued by the Department allowing a person or company to ship timber from the Province.
Timber Scaling Licence
The Forestry Act requires all timber cut for commercial purposes, and all timber cut from Crown land with royalties owing, to be scaled (measured) by a licenced timber scaler. A Timber Scaling Licence issued under the Forestry Act gives a person the authority to measure timber.
Click Here for more information on Timber Scaling.
Permit and Licence Fees
The following are fees for Forestry permits & licences issued by the Branch.
Effective April 30, 2015
Permit/Licence Fee
| Commercial Cutting Permit | $50.00 |
| Domestic Cutting Permit – Individual | $25.00 |
| Domestic Cutting Permit – Senior | $16.25 |
| Commercial Sawmill Licence – Small size Mill | $50.00 |
| Commercial Sawmill Licence – Medium size Mill | $100.00 |
| Commercial Sawmill Licence – Large size Mill | $200.00 |
| Domestic Sawmill Licence | $30.00 |
| Burning Permit | Free |
| Operating Permit | Free |
| Permit to Export Timber | $100.00 |
| Timber Purchase Licence | $100.00 |