More topics

Authorizations

Last updated on April 1, 2025

The Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA) and the Forest Recreation Regulation (FRR) identify when authorization is required to use a recreation site, recreation trail, interpretive forest site or trail-based recreation area, as well as to construct, maintain, or rehabilitate a trail or other recreation facility. 

Recreation Sites and Trails B.C. (RSTBC) is the agency responsible for providing these authorizations.

On this page:

Authorization to construct or maintain a trail or recreation facility

RSTBC is piloting a new approach to authorizing the construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation of trails and recreation facilities.

We welcome your feedback on the new approach. Provide feedback by emailing RSTBC.Authorizations.Feedback@gov.bc.ca or complete the survey at the end of your application form.

Authorization is required under Section 57 of FRPA for construction, rehabilitation or maintenance of a trail or recreation facility on public land.

This includes:

  • Construction and maintenance activities involving ground disturbance, or significant clearing or cutting of vegetation
  • Construction of recreation facilities and replacing large, deteriorated structures
  • General trail and recreation facility rehabilitation activities intended to return the area to a more natural state

Authorization under Section 57 of FRPA is not required for:

  • Route-finding or route-marking
  • Construction of small temporary structures
  • Minor clearing of brush and downed trees within a trail corridor or recreation facility footprint to facilitate unobstructed use 
  • Minor repairs to a trail or recreation facility to return the trail or facility to its original or intended state (i.e. repairing like for like) 
  • Emergency construction, rehabilitation, or maintenance activities to prevent imminent damage to the environment, trail, recreation facility, or to reduce risk to personal safety

For more information, including examples of activities that do and do not require authorization, read the Applicant Information Guide (PDF, 409 KB)

Additional resources:

Apply for authorization to construct or maintain a trail or recreation facility.

Apply now

If you are uncertain as to whether you require an authorization or for general inquiries about the authorization process, please contact FrontCounterBC.

Other uses requiring authorization

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC or Adobe Acrobat Pro DC is required to complete applications. Download Adobe Acrobat Reader DC for free.

Under the FRR, authorization is required under Section 16 to:

  • Use a recreation site, recreation trail, trail-based recreation area, or interpretive forest site to host a competitive sporting event
  • Use a recreation site, recreation trail, trail-based recreation area, or interpretive forest site for a business or industrial activity
  • Use a recreation site for part of a gathering of 15 or more persons
  • Use a recreation site as a place of temporary residence while engaged in a business or industrial activity outside the site

Authorization is not required for:

  • small public gatherings of less than 15 people
  • basic recreational day use such as hiking or overnight camping

Read the Applicant Information Guide (PDF, 234 KB)

Complete one of the 5 forms based on the type of use.

Apply for:

Competitive Sporting Event

Business Use

Industrial Activities

Gathering 15 or more

Temporary Residence

Expand All | Collapse All
 

Why are Authorizations required?

Authorization processes are central to RSTBC’s ability to achieve its mandate of preserving and enhancing public access to, and enjoyment of, outdoor recreation experiences on Crown land. Authorizations are an important tool for managing the intensity and scope of activities, events and other uses of recreation sites and trails, and is a legal means by which the integrity of significant recreation areas on Crown land may be preserved.

Authorizations also help RSTBC manage activities within the provincial network of recreation sites and trails and minimize impacts by requiring authorization holders to follow conditions, and in some cases, by limiting activities to certain times and places as guided by predetermined objectives for recreation sites or trails, higher level plans such as land use plans, and staff knowledge of local use and visitation patterns. Decisions to authorize a use or activity are guided by considerations of impacts to recreation facilities, traditional user groups, the environment, and public safety.

 

 

Contact us

For general inquiries, use the contact us form to request further information.