Metro Vancouver
Tree bylaw and arborist report rules in Vancouver, BC
Vancouver, BC tree permit rules: 20 cm at 1.4 m, $113 for the first tree, and a certificate dated no more than 30 days before you apply.
- Application fee
- $113 application fee
Tree bylaws in Vancouver
In Vancouver, a certificate filed with a tree permit application has a shelf life. Protection of Trees By-law No. 9958 wants the certificate dated no more than 30 days before the application, so timing matters as much as the tree itself.
The permit trigger is a private tree 20 cm or wider at 1.4 m above grade. Several stems count together: the City adds up the two or three largest. Street trees sit under a different law, Street Trees Bylaw No. 5985.
Fees scale with volume. The first tree in a 12-month period costs $113, every further tree in that window costs $324, and everything is filed online.
Vancouver Tree Bylaw at a Glance
A permit is needed for a private tree 20 cm or more in diameter at 1.4 m above ground. A multi-stem tree uses the combined diameter of its two or three largest stems.
Permit Fee
$113 for the first tree in a 12-month period and $324 for each additional tree in that period.
Processing Time
Confirm with the City of Vancouver
Penalty
$500 to $10,000 per offence (s.11.8). A continuing offence carries a fine of up to $10,000 for each day it continues (s.11.9).
Special Zones
Street trees are regulated separately under Street Trees Bylaw No. 5985.
Bylaw details verified 2026-09-02.
See how Vancouver compares to other municipalities in our Metro Vancouver tree bylaw comparison.
Before starting tree work in Vancouver
Who can sign the report
Under By-law No. 9958 s.3.1, a person who issues a certificate must hold a certification, accreditation or membership "referred to in this By-law" and a licence under the License By-law, both current when the certifier signs. Under s.3.2, the certificate must be dated no more than 30 days before the permit application.
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 Vancouver properties
Vancouver in our Metro Vancouver bylaw references
Our reference pages compare one rule at a time across Metro Vancouver. These links go straight to the Vancouver entry.
Vancouver tree permit guide
What triggers a permit in Vancouver, 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