Metro Vancouver
Tree bylaw and arborist report rules in West Vancouver, BC
West Vancouver, BC tree permits depend on site and species: 75 cm in general, 20 cm for six species and on development parcels. $330 plus $120 a tree.
- Application fee
- $330 application fee
- Processing time
- 2 to 3 weeks
Tree bylaws in West Vancouver
West Vancouver protects most private trees only once they pass 75 cm DBH. Tree Bylaw No. 4892 then lowers it for six named species, which count from 20 cm, and removes it entirely within a 15 m Watercourse or Foreshore Protection Area, where a tree of any size is protected.
Development is where the rules moved most recently. The 2022 consolidation sends development-scoped removal to the development permit process (s.3.1.6). The District's permit page now protects trees 20 cm and larger on parcels under development (Bylaw 5373, in force 2025-12-15). Confirm which track applies with the District of West Vancouver.
A private-property permit costs $330 plus $120 for each additional tree, and the District takes applications online only. Replacement under s.7.1 is 1:1 with no size tiers, and the District holds a $1,000 security per replacement tree, up to $10,000. Confirm with the District of West Vancouver which removals need a replacement tree.
West Vancouver Tree Bylaw at a Glance
Minimum Diameter
Depends on the site and species. In general a tree is protected over 75 cm DBH, and a multi-stem tree counts when its stems combine to 75 cm. Six named species are protected over 20 cm. Any tree within a 15 m Watercourse Protection Area or Foreshore Protection Area is protected at any size. In the CD77, CD81 and CD82 zones the line is 15.24 cm DBH with 1.8 m of height. DBH is measured at 1.4 m above the highest adjacent natural grade.
Permit Fee
$330 base fee plus $120 per additional tree, for a private-property permit.
Processing Time
2 to 3 weeks
Penalty
Confirm with the District of West Vancouver
Special Zones
Protected at any size: every tree within a 15 m Watercourse Protection Area or Foreshore Protection Area, replacement and retained trees, heritage-registry trees, and raptor-nest and listed wildlife-habitat trees. The six species protected over 20 cm are Arbutus, Garry Oak, Pacific yew, Pacific dogwood, Yellow cedar, and Shore pine in the shoreline zone.
Bylaw details verified 2026-09-01.
See how West Vancouver compares to other municipalities in our Metro Vancouver tree bylaw comparison.
Before starting tree work in West Vancouver
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 West Vancouver properties
West 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 West Vancouver entry.
West Vancouver tree permit guide
What triggers a permit in West Vancouver, what it costs and how to apply, drawn from the bylaw and the municipality's own pages.
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Serving Metro Vancouver, British Columbia.
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