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Forest Roads permits, authorizations and access agreements

Last updated on May 5, 2025

Different permits, authorizations, and agreements are required for different activities relating to Forest Service Roads (FSRs) and Forest Resource Roads. The information below outlines what these permits are used for, with links to further information, application documents, and some relevant legislation. 

For additional details on these permits and other engineering topics, refer to the Engineering Manual.

To learn where the FSR you are interested in is located, refer to the Natural Resource Region and District contact information.

On this page

Road permit

As per the Forest Act, a road permit is needed to construct, use, and maintain a forest road if the access is not a Forest Service Road or under another tenure. See Road Permit - Forestry for further information regarding Road Permits.

Special use permit

A special use permit may allow a road to be constructed for natural resource development purposes other than timber harvesting. See Special Use Permit - Forestry for further information regarding Special Use Permits.

Road use permit

All industrial users on an FSR are required to obtain a Road Use Permit (RUP), unless an exemption is granted in accordance with section 22.1(4) of the Forest and Range Practices Act. RUPs, including those RUPs required by BCTS licensees, are issued by the District Manager. One RUP holder will be designated responsibility for maintenance of the road. The FS109: Road Use Permit Application (DOC) is submitted to the district for application for an RUP.

Significant road work

Works above and beyond road maintenance that are carried out on an FSR or within its right-of-way must be authorized by a Significant Road Work Authorization, as per section 23.1 of the Forest and Range Practices Act. This includes constructing non-transportation-related works (facilities). This also includes connecting a road to an FSR, unless authorization has already been granted for the road which is typically the case for roads associated with a cutting authorization.

Temporary FSR use agreement

In situations where short-term non-industrial use of an FSR requires control or restriction of traffic, a Temporary FSR Use Agreement may be granted. Contact the district for their requirements specific to the proposed use.

Example: road use for the film industry, special events, etc.

Maintenance Agreements

Where a commercial or public (non-industrial) user of an FSR section without an RUP over it deems that the level of road maintenance is not sufficient for their activities, that user may apply to undertake some or all of the surface maintenance of the FSR as authorized under an FS 1205 – Forest Service Road Maintenance Agreement. The agreement authorizes the end user to carry out incremental maintenance on FSRs at no cost to the ministry. The works envisioned under this agreement are routine in nature.

Example: grading, brushing, or snow plowing for access to recreational property

Right-of-way access

While most Forest Service Roads (FSR) do not impact private land, there are situations where a road must cross private property. When this occurs, the B.C. Government establishes a right-of-way. A right-of-way is a strip of land on which the road exists or will be constructed to provide access for approved logging operations. The right-of way is the governing document related to the allowed activities on the private parcel.  It will also be a registered charge on the land title.

Clean energy projects

Clean energy projects, including independent power producer (IPP) projects, may be proposed within or adjacent to an existing forest road right-of-way.

More information can be found in Clean Energy Project Requirements to Protect Forest Roads (PDF, 451KB).

Additional information by district

Some districts post additional information regarding permitting. In case of any discrepancy between an individual District’s permitting information and this webpage, the information on this webpage shall prevail.