Metro Vancouver
Tree bylaw and arborist report rules in West Vancouver, BC
West Vancouver, BC tree permits depend on site and species, with a lower protected size for six named species and on development parcels. Each confirmed size and permit fee is listed with the case it applies to.
- Application fee
- Varies by case
- Processing time
- 2 to 3 weeks
Tree bylaws in West Vancouver
West Vancouver protects most private trees only once they pass a general size. Tree Bylaw No. 4892 then lowers it for six named species, and removes it entirely within a 15 m Watercourse or Foreshore Protection Area, where a tree of any size is protected. The tables below list every confirmed size with the case it applies to.
The 2022 consolidation sends development-scoped removal to the development permit process (s.3.1.6). The District's permit page now protects trees from a lower size on parcels under development (Bylaw 5373, in force 2025-12-15). Confirm which track applies with the District of West Vancouver.
The District takes applications online only. Replacement under s.7.1 is 1:1 with no size tiers. The tables below list the permit fee and the security per replacement tree.
West Vancouver tree permit rules
Minimum Diameter
Depends on the tree and the site. See the size table in the city's card on the Metro Vancouver tree bylaws page
Permit Fee
$120 (private property, each additional tree removal); $330 (private property, pruning or removal of one tree)
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 with a lower protected size are Arbutus, Garry Oak, Pacific yew, Pacific dogwood, Yellow cedar, and Shore pine in the shoreline zone.
Sizes and fees by case in West Vancouver
| Size | Applies to |
|---|---|
| 15.24 cm | land in the CD77, CD81 or CD82 zones, tree also over 1.8 m in height |
| 20 cm | Arbutus, Garry oak, Pacific yew, Pacific dogwood or Yellow cedar |
| 20 cm | parcel being developed with a new residential or commercial building, or subdivided for a new residential building |
| 75 cm | parcel not being developed, outside Watercourse and Foreshore Protection Areas and the CD24, CD77, CD81 and CD82 zones, for species not listed in the species paragraph |
| any size | within a Watercourse Protection Area or Foreshore Protection Area |
| Amount | Applies to |
|---|---|
| $120 | private property, each additional tree removal |
| $330 | private property, pruning or removal of one tree |
| Amount | Applies to |
|---|---|
| $1,000 | per replacement tree, when planting a replacement tree is not possible |
| Amount | Applies to |
|---|---|
| $1,000 | per replacement tree, total security capped at ten trees |
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
West Vancouver 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