Metro Vancouver
Tree bylaw and arborist report rules in New Westminster, BC
New Westminster, BC tree bylaw rules: 20 cm at 1.3 m, square-root multi-stem math, 2:1 replacement, E-Apply fees, and who may sign the report.
- Application fee
- $75 application fee
Tree bylaws in New Westminster
New Westminster is the one Metro Vancouver municipality that sizes a multi-stem tree by the square root of the sum of the squared stems. Its Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw No. 7799, 2016 protects trees from 20 cm in diameter, measured at 1.3 m, and every tree or shrub on City land whatever its size.
Most removals carry two replacement trees each. The City also asks for a barrier and a permit before work comes within 4 m of a protected tree's dripline. Unlawful removal starts at 5:1 replacement, and fines run from $1,000 to $10,000 per tree per offence.
The bylaw sets a strict test for the report author: ISA or BC ITA certification, the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification and a business licence held by the individual. Ask us before you order a New Westminster report, and we will tell you whether we can take the file.
New Westminster Tree Bylaw at a Glance
Trees 20 cm or more in diameter at 1.3 m, or where the two largest trunks combine to 20 cm or more. Any tree or shrub on City land is protected at any size.
Permit Fee
$75 application fee ($0 for a resident applicant on hazard trees only); permit $75 per tree for the first 10 trees and $150 per tree after that; hazardous tree permit $50 for the first tree and $25 for each additional tree; barrier inspection $75 plus $10 per additional enclosure.
Processing Time
Confirm with the City of New Westminster
Penalty
$1,000 to $10,000 per tree per offence
Special Zones
Protected at any size: every tree or shrub on City land, retained and replacement trees, and nesting trees. Hedges 5 m or taller are protected. A specimen tree is one with a DBH over 60 cm. Work within 4 m of a protected tree's dripline needs a barrier plus a permit, or a standalone CRZ work authorization (s.8.1).
Bylaw details verified 2026-09-11.
See how New Westminster compares to other municipalities in our Metro Vancouver tree bylaw comparison.
Before starting tree work in New Westminster
Who can sign the report
Bylaw s.2.1(c) requires ISA or BC ITA certification, plus the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ), plus a City or intermunicipal business licence held by the individual. Section 5.9 applies a 12-month currency rule to reports.
Ask us before you order.
We confirm availability for your address before we quote. We do not offer emergency service.
If the removal ground is a hazardous or high-risk tree, ask us first. Some Metro Vancouver bylaws require a report author who also holds the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification.
Reports for New Westminster properties
New Westminster in our Metro Vancouver bylaw references
Our reference pages compare one rule at a time across Metro Vancouver. These links go straight to the New Westminster entry.
New Westminster tree permit guide
What triggers a permit in New Westminster, what it costs and how to apply, drawn from the bylaw and the municipality's own pages.
Read the permit guideGet a quote
Tell us about your property and an ISA Certified Arborist will follow up with next steps and a firm quote.
- Free consultation, response within 24 hours.
- We confirm availability for your address before we quote.
- Independent assessment. No tree-removal sales, no conflict of interest.
Serving Metro Vancouver, British Columbia.
ISA Certified Arborist · ISA Member · ASCA Member