Metro Vancouver
Tree bylaw and arborist report rules in White Rock, BC
White Rock, BC tree bylaw rules: 20 cm at 1.4 m, Type 1, 2 and 3 permit fees, replacement that grows with tree size, and in-person applications.
- Application fee
- $558 application fee
Tree bylaws in White Rock
White Rock scales replacement to the size of the tree that comes down: a small tree costs you two new trees, and the largest cost six. The White Rock Tree Protection Bylaw, 2021, No. 2407 protects trees from 20 cm in diameter at 1.4 m above the highest point of natural grade. Arbutus, Garry Oak and Pacific Dogwood are protected at any size, as is anything growing on City-owned property.
The City sorts permits into three types, and the fee follows the type: $0, $558 or $1,163. Applications go in person to Planning and Development Services. There is no online portal. Fines reach $10,000 or six months per tree per day.
The report author must be an ISA Certified Arborist with a current TRAQ, and both credentials appear on the report. Ask us before you order a White Rock report, and we will tell you whether we can take the file.
White Rock Tree Bylaw at a Glance
Trees 20 cm or more in diameter at 1.4 m above the highest point of natural grade. Arbutus, Garry Oak and Pacific Dogwood are protected at any size.
Permit Fee
Type 2 permit (other removals not tied to construction, on limited grounds): $558. Type 3 permit (tied to a demolition or building permit): $1,163. Type 1 permit (see the City's permit page): $0. Fees come from the 2026 Fees and Charges Bylaw 2554, Schedule A. Confirm which permit type fits your removal with the City of White Rock.
Processing Time
Confirm with the City of White Rock
Penalty
Fines up to $10,000 or six months per tree per day
Special Zones
Protected at any size: any tree, hedge or shrub on City-owned property, including road rights-of-way; replacement trees; trees with raptor, eagle, peregrine falcon, gyrfalcon, osprey, heron or burrowing owl nesting evidence; and Arbutus, Garry Oak and Pacific Dogwood. A tree within 4 m of the lot boundary is an off-site tree.
Bylaw details verified 2026-09-11.
See how White Rock compares to other municipalities in our Metro Vancouver tree bylaw comparison.
Before starting tree work in White Rock
Who can sign the report
The bylaw definitions require an ISA Certified Arborist with a current TRAQ credential. The report must show both the ISA certification number and the TRAQ.
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 White Rock properties
White Rock in our Metro Vancouver bylaw references
Our reference pages compare one rule at a time across Metro Vancouver. These links go straight to the White Rock entry.
White Rock tree permit guide
What triggers a permit in White Rock, 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.
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