British Columbia
Burnaby Arborist Reports for Tree Removal Permits, BC
Burnaby sets its protection line by site and species, so the first question is which rule your lot falls under. Ask us about a report written to the Burnaby Tree Bylaw.
We confirm availability for your address before we quote. We do not offer emergency service.
The Burnaby permit, step by step
Burnaby Tree Bylaw No. 10482 has no single size trigger. What is happening on the lot decides the threshold and the fee, so settle that before anything else.
Find the rule for your lot
On property with a current development application, a tree is protected at 20.3 cm DBH. On other property, conifers are protected at 30.5 cm and broadleaf trees at 45.7 cm. Diameter is taken at 1.3 m, and a multi-stem tree sums its three largest stems.
Contact the Building Division
No dedicated online form is confirmed. Start the application by contacting the Building Division, Planning and Development, at the City of Burnaby.
Pay the fee for your application type
Without a development application, the fee is $97 per tree up to $691. With a residential development application, it is $207 per tree up to $1,380.
Plan replacement and security
Under s.13(1), a removed tree up to 30.5 cm is replaced once, a tree over 30.5 cm to 61 cm twice, and a tree over 61 cm three times. Security under s.7 is the greater of $1,500 or 120% of the estimated replacement cost.
Burnaby permit fees and replanting
- Municipal permit fee
- $97 per tree to a maximum of $691 with no development application. $207 per tree to a maximum of $1,380 with a residential development application. Non-residential development sites pay a base fee set by site size plus $207 per tree; confirm the band with the City of Burnaby.
- Processing time
- Confirm with the City of Burnaby.
- Penalties
- Confirm with the City of Burnaby.
- Replanting
- Replacement under s.13(1): 1 tree for a removed tree up to 30.5 cm, 2 trees for over 30.5 cm to 61 cm, and 3 trees for over 61 cm. Replacement conifers must be at least 2 m tall and broadleaf trees at least 5 cm in diameter. Security is the greater of $1,500 or 120% of the estimated replacement cost (s.7). Cash-in-lieu is $1,500 per tree, paid to the Civic Tree Reserve Fund.
A permit is valid for 6 months (s.9).
How a BC report works
Send the address and the trees
Use the form or email us. Tell us the property address, which trees are involved and what the report is for.
We check the bylaw and confirm availability
We confirm which municipality's rules apply and whether we can take your file.
Site measurements and photos
We arrange the measurements and photos the report needs and tell you who attends when we confirm availability.
Your report
Sergiy Litvinov, ISA Certified Arborist, prepares and signs the report. The municipality makes the permit decision.
Current offer
Tree removal report: $250 $200 for up to 3 trees
Larger files get a custom quote.
Burnaby tree permit questions
Why does Burnaby have no single size threshold?
The bylaw ties protection to the lot and the species. A current development application lowers the line to 20.3 cm for every tree. Otherwise a conifer counts from 30.5 cm and a broadleaf tree from 45.7 cm.
Which Burnaby trees are protected at any size?
Covenanted, streamside, cemetery-district, landscaping-plan, replacement and retained trees are protected whatever their diameter.
What does Burnaby charge in cash-in-lieu?
Burnaby sets cash-in-lieu at $1,500 per tree. The money goes to the Civic Tree Reserve Fund.
Can you take my Burnaby file?
Tell us the address and the trees first. We confirm availability for your address before we quote.
What if the tree looks dangerous?
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.
Do you offer emergency service?
We do not offer emergency service.
Another question? Use the form below or email info@arboristgroup.com.
More about Burnaby
Burnaby tree bylaw rules
What the bylaw protects and what it expects from a report.
Burnaby permit guide
Fees, replacement trees and how to apply, in one guide.
Tree removal reports in Metro Vancouver
What the report covers and where we take files.
Tree removal report pages for other municipalities:
Get 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