Metro Vancouver
Tree bylaw and arborist report rules in Surrey, BC
Surrey, BC tree bylaw rules: trees from 30 cm and stumps from 35 cm, 2:1 replacement, and who may sign the arborist report. Each confirmed permit fee and security is listed with the case it applies to.
- Application fee
- Varies by case
Tree bylaws in Surrey
Surrey protects stumps as well as standing trees. A stump 35 cm across or wider is covered by the bylaw, and so is any tree with a diameter of 30 cm or more at 1.4 m. Some trees need a permit at any size, among them every tree on City property, riparian trees and the 382 significant trees listed in the bylaw's schedules.
The Surrey Tree Protection Bylaw, 2006, No. 16100 requires two new trees for each protected tree that comes down. Red alder and black cottonwood outside riparian areas are the exception at one for one. On an existing lot, the City charges a base fee plus a fee for each protected tree removed, and it takes applications by email. The tables below list every confirmed fee with the case it applies to.
Surrey tree permit rules
30 cm
Permit Fee
Varies by case. See the fee tables in the city's card on the Metro Vancouver tree bylaws page
Processing Time
Confirm with the City of Surrey
Penalty
Confirm with the City of Surrey
Special Zones
Protected regardless of the 30 cm rule: every tree on City property, replacement trees, riparian trees, specimen-quality trees, the significant trees in Schedules B and B1, raptor, osprey and heron nest trees, and six named species above a size the bylaw sets (Arbutus, Garry Oak, Ginkgo, and Coast, Dawn and Giant Redwood). Confirm that size with the City of Surrey.
Sizes and fees by case in Surrey
| Amount | Applies to |
|---|---|
| $108 | base fee, existing lot zoned residential with no subdivision, or existing lot zoned commercial, industrial or institutional with no subdivision, consolidation, development permit or development variance permit |
| $560 | per acre cleared, agricultural lot, plus taxes |
| $684 | per acre, multi-family residential, commercial, industrial or institutional site, other than s.36 lots, plus taxes |
| $42 | per protected tree removed, including the first, existing lot zoned residential with no subdivision, or existing lot zoned commercial, industrial or institutional with no subdivision, consolidation, development permit or development variance permit |
| Amount | Applies to |
|---|---|
| $3,000 | protected tree other than significant or specimen quality, tree retained as a requirement of a subdivision, development permit, development variance permit, building permit or demolition permit |
| $550 | replacement tree, 5 cm caliper deciduous or 3 m conifer, plus taxes, not part of the landscaping required under a development permit, development variance permit or subdivision |
| $1,100 | replacement tree, 8 cm caliper deciduous or 4 m conifer, plus taxes, not part of the landscaping required under a development permit, development variance permit or subdivision |
| $10,000 | significant tree, tree retained as a requirement of a subdivision, development permit, development variance permit, building permit or demolition permit |
| $5,000 | specimen quality tree, tree retained as a requirement of a subdivision, development permit, development variance permit, building permit or demolition permit |
Before starting tree work in Surrey
Who can sign the report
The Surrey Tree Protection Bylaw defines the arborist as an ISA Certified Arborist who is also an ISA Tree Risk Assessor. A report is valid for 2 years.
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 Surrey properties
Surrey in our Metro Vancouver bylaw references
Surrey tree permit guide
Read the permit guideGet a quote
Tell us about your property. An ISA Certified Arborist will reply with a firm quote.
- Free consultation, response within 24 hours.
- We confirm availability for your address before we quote.
- We do not sell tree removal.
ISA Certified Arborist · ISA Member