Tree bylaws across 21 Metro Vancouver municipalities

Tree Management Bylaw No. 587-2018 requires a permit for a tree 20 cm in diameter or more at 1.4 m.

Private tree permit trigger

20 cm

Permit fee

$500 for a Tree Cutting Permit. The Annual Tree Cutting Allowance Permit costs $10 and covers up to 2 trees per lot each calendar year, with no replanting.

Replacement

The bylaw states two different ratios. Confirm with the Village of Anmore.

How to apply

Paper application form

Anmore regulates by lot coverage instead of a protection radius. An owner keeps or replants enough tree canopy to cover a minimum share of the lot, from 10% on lots of 0.2 ha or less up to 75% on the largest lots. Trees on municipal land, highways, parks and rights-of-way are outside the bylaw (s.16).

Last checked 2026-09-01. Sources: Anmore Tree Management Bylaw No. 587-2018, Anmore Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 608-2019.

No tree bylaw covers private property. The Village's tree bylaw excludes private land and covers municipal land only.

Private tree permit trigger

No tree bylaw covers private property. The Village's tree bylaw excludes private land and covers municipal land only.

Permit fee

Confirm with the municipality

Replacement

Confirm with the municipality

How to apply

Confirm with the municipality

Managing Trees, Views and Landscapes Bylaw No. 589, 2021 states that it does not apply to trees on private property. For a tree on municipal land, confirm the permit process with the Village of Belcarra.

Last checked 2026-09-01. Sources: Belcarra Managing Trees, Views and Landscapes Bylaw No. 589, 2021, Village of Belcarra bylaws.

No tree removal bylaw for private property.

Private tree permit trigger

No tree removal bylaw for private property.

Permit fee

Confirm with the municipality

Replacement

Confirm with the municipality

How to apply

Confirm with the municipality

The Site Alteration Permit is a separate regime. For trees on municipal roads and boulevards, confirm with Bowen Island Municipality.

Last checked 2026-09-01. Sources: Bowen Island Municipality building and planning FAQ, Bowen Island Site Alteration Bylaw No. 568, 2022.

Private tree permit trigger

Variesby site and species

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.

Replacement

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.

How to apply

Contact the Building Division at the City of Burnaby. No dedicated online form is confirmed.

Last checked 2026-09-01. Sources: Burnaby Tree Bylaw 1996, consolidated 10482C, Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw 14485C, Schedule E11, Information Bulletin: Tree Permits (with Development), City of Burnaby trees page.

Tree Management Bylaw No. 4091 requires a permit at 20 cm diameter at 1.4 m, or for a tree 5 m or taller on a steep slope.

Private tree permit trigger

20 cm, or 5 m tall on a steep slope

Permit fee

$71.50 for a basic permit, or $358 where an arborist report or a City site visit is required.

Replacement

Replacement follows a matrix of lot size and the number of protected trees left on the lot, not a diameter ratio.

How to apply

Online, through the City of Coquitlam application portal

On a steep slope or in a Streamside Protection and Enhancement Area, a tree of any diameter needs a permit. Confirm exemptions with the City of Coquitlam. Elsewhere, an owner gets 2 exempt removals a year, or 5% of the trees on a lot with 40 or more.

Confirm multi-stem measurement with the City of Coquitlam.

Last checked 2026-09-01. Sources: Coquitlam Tree Management Bylaw No. 4091, 2010, City of Coquitlam Tree Cutting Permit page, Coquitlam Standards for Tree Cutting Permit Applicants.

Private tree permit trigger

20 cmprotected tree threshold

Permit fee

$100 flat plus $50 per tree. Significant trees in Sunshine Hills cost $200 plus $100 per tree for 1 to 4 trees, or $300 plus $150 per tree for 5 or more. The replacement-plan fee is $50 per tree.

Replacement

Schedule B sets the count, planted on site or paid as cash in lieu. Outside Sunshine Hills, a tree from 20 cm to 59 cm needs 2 on site or 3 as cash in lieu, and a tree of 60 cm or more needs 3 or 4. In Sunshine Hills, a tree from 20 cm to under 50 cm needs 2 or 3, a tree of 50 cm or more needs 3 or 4, a significant tree of 70 cm or more needs 4 or 6, and 5 or more significant trees need 6 or 9. Schedule B cash values are $1,050, $933 and $875 per tree, with $2,100 flat for the tier of 5 or more significant trees. Security and flat cash-in-lieu are $700 per replacement tree. Replacement conifers must be at least 3.0 m tall and deciduous trees at least 7.0 cm caliper at 1.4 m, planted at least 3.0 m from another tree.

How to apply

Online, through the City of Delta eApply portal

Last checked 2026-09-01. Sources: Delta Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw No. 7969, 2021 (consolidated with Bylaw 8575), City of Delta trees page, City of Delta eApply tree removal permit portal.

Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 3321 protects Significant Trees of 75 cm or more anywhere, and trees of 20 cm or more on a lot with a Development Application.

Private tree permit trigger

75 cm significant trees anywhere, 20 cm on lots with a development application

Permit fee

$100 per application, or $300 per Development Application. $0 for a hazardous or dead tree.

Replacement

A protected tree needs 2 medium or large trees or 4 small ones, and a Significant Tree needs 3 or 6. Cash-in-lieu is $1,000 per tree.

How to apply

Paper application form

Every City tree and every tree in an Environmentally Sensitive Area is protected at any size. Diameter is measured at 1.4 m, and a tree with three or more stems uses the sum of the three largest. A conviction carries a minimum fine of $5,000, and each tree is a separate offence.

Bylaw 3321 was adopted on 2026-01-19. Confirm fencing and species-size rules with the City of Langley.

Last checked 2026-09-01. Sources: City of Langley Tree Protection and Management Bylaw, 2025, No. 3321, City of Langley Fees and Charges Bylaw 2837, Amendment No. 38 (Schedule 16).

Tree Protection Bylaw 2019 No. 5478 requires a permit at 20 cm diameter at 1.4 m.

Private tree permit trigger

20 cm

Permit fee

$150 non-refundable application fee plus $100 per tree. $0 for dead, dying, diseased or imminent-failure trees.

Replacement

Private removals pay cash-in-lieu instead of replanting: $600 per tree for 20 to 30 cm and $1,200 per tree over 30 cm.

How to apply

Online

A multi-stem tree counts 100% of the largest trunk plus 60% of each additional trunk. Trees on municipally owned land and trees with nesting evidence are protected at any size. Development applications fall outside this bylaw and run under Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw 2019 No. 5382.

Confirm development-track rules with the Township of Langley.

Last checked 2026-09-01. Sources: Township of Langley Tree Protection Bylaw 2019 No. 5478, Township of Langley Fees and Charges Bylaw 2007 No. 4616, Schedule 15.

No tree bylaw covers private property. The Village's tree bylaw covers municipal land only.

Private tree permit trigger

No tree bylaw covers private property. The Village's tree bylaw covers municipal land only.

Permit fee

Confirm with the municipality

Replacement

Confirm with the municipality

How to apply

Confirm with the municipality

Trees, Views and Landscapes Bylaw No. 393, 2007 applies to all municipal lands within the Village, and the bylaws registry lists no private-tree bylaw. For a tree on municipal land, confirm the permit process with the Village of Lions Bay.

Confirm hazard-area rules for private land with the Village of Lions Bay.

Last checked 2026-09-01. Sources: Lions Bay Trees, Views and Landscapes Bylaw No. 393, 2007 (consolidated), Village of Lions Bay bylaws.

Private tree permit trigger

20 cmprotected tree threshold

Permit fee

Residential: $70 for the first tree in a calendar year and $100 for each additional tree. Development: $300 plus $100 per tree. A re-inspection costs $150 and a permit change costs $100.

Replacement

Section 9.4 sets the count by size: 2 trees for 20 to 39 cm, 3 trees for 40 to 59 cm and 4 trees for more than 60 cm. Under s.9.5, a permit that removes only one protected tree in a calendar year needs 1 replacement tree. Cash-in-lieu is $800 per tree, capped at $48,000 per hectare. Replacement security is $640 per tree. Development replacements are at least 6 cm caliper deciduous or 2.50 m coniferous, and other replacements at least 4 cm caliper or 10-gallon, or 2.0 m coniferous.

How to apply

By email to Trees@MapleRidge.ca. Tree permits are not on the online building-permit portal.

Last checked 2026-09-01. Sources: Maple Ridge Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 8045-2026 (adopted 2026-05-12), Maple Ridge Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 7575-2019, Schedule J, Maple Ridge Terms of Reference: Arborist Report for Tree Cutting Applications (August 2026), City of Maple Ridge tree protection and management bylaw page.

Private tree permit trigger

20 cmprotected tree threshold

Permit fee

$75 application fee ($0 for a resident applicant on hazard trees only); permit $75 per tree for the first 10 trees and $150 per tree after that; hazardous tree permit $50 for the first tree and $25 for each additional tree; barrier inspection $75 plus $10 per additional enclosure.

Replacement

2:1 for most removals (s.7.2); 1:1 for a hazardous tree or a heavily diseased or declining tree; 1 tree per 4 m of hedge; at least 5:1 after an unlawful removal (s.11.4(b)). Security: $500 per replacement tree, or $10,000 for a non-hazardous specimen tree. Retained-tree security: $2,500, or $10,000 for a specimen tree.

How to apply

Online only, through E-Apply

Last checked 2026-09-11. Sources: Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw No. 7799, 2016 (consolidated 2018-11-29), City of New Westminster: tree permits, City of New Westminster: tree bylaw.

Tree Bylaw No. 8888 applies, but Bylaw 9143 exempts most single-family and duplex lots.

Private tree permit trigger

Tree Bylaw No. 8888 applies, but Bylaw 9143 exempts most single-family and duplex lots.

Permit fee

Confirm with the City of North Vancouver

Replacement

Confirm with the municipality

How to apply

Paper application form

Bylaw 9143 exempts a tree whose entire trunk sits on land zoned RS-1, RS-2, RS-4B, RT-1, RT-2 or GO, or an equivalent CD zone. On other lots, confirm the rules with the City of North Vancouver.

Confirm whether the zoning exemption covers your lot with the City of North Vancouver.

Last checked 2026-09-01. Sources: City of North Vancouver Tree Bylaw, 2022, No. 8888 (consolidated), City of North Vancouver private trees page.

Private tree permit trigger

Variesby site and species

Permit fee

$116 to cut or remove up to 4 protected trees. $581 for five or more protected trees. $2,908 for a development that removes 10 or more protected trees on a parcel over 1 ha. Large-diameter trees cost $116 per tree to cut and $581 per tree to remove. Every fee doubles for a retroactive permit.

Replacement

Replacement applies only when the lot's canopy would fall below 20% after removal. Then each large-diameter tree removed needs 1 replacement tree on a lot under 420 m², or 3 trees on a lot of 420 m² or more. Security is 125% of the estimated cost of the work, capped at $50,000. The fees bylaw also sets a compensation fee of $1,164 per large-diameter tree, or $2,326 for Douglas fir or western red cedar. Confirm the fee name and amount with the District of North Vancouver.

How to apply

Paper application form, from the District's tree permit page

Last checked 2026-09-01. Sources: District of North Vancouver Tree Protection Bylaw 7671, 2012 (consolidated to Bylaw 8583), District of North Vancouver Fees and Charges Bylaw 6481 (consolidated to Bylaw 8777), District of North Vancouver: tree permit.

Interim Tree Management Bylaw No. 3035, 2026 requires a permit at 20 cm diameter, measured 140 cm above natural grade.

Private tree permit trigger

20 cm, stems added together

Permit fee

$50 plus $50 per tree. On the development track, $300 plus $50 per tree.

Replacement

At least 1 replacement tree for each tree removed, planted on the same property within 6 months. Cash-in-lieu is $900 per tree, or $1,500 per tree on the development track. A separate $2,000 protection deposit per retained tree is due before any City permit issues.

How to apply

Paper application form

Pitt Meadows had no private-tree bylaw before 2026. A multi-stem tree counts the cumulative total of its stems, and any tree on City property is protected at any size.

Interim Tree Management Bylaw No. 3035, 2026 was adopted on 2026-03-03 as a bridge to a permanent bylaw. Confirm current rules with the City of Pitt Meadows.

Last checked 2026-09-01. Sources: Pitt Meadows Interim Tree Management Bylaw No. 3035, 2026, City of Pitt Meadows tree protection page.

Tree Bylaw No. 4108 requires a permit at 15 cm diameter at 1.4 m, or for a tree 5 m or taller.

Private tree permit trigger

15 cm, or 5 m tall

Permit fee

$100 per tree, waived if the City deems the tree hazardous.

Replacement

A 2025 amendment was proposed. Confirm current replacement rules with the City of Port Coquitlam.

How to apply

Online

A multi-stem tree counts 100% of the largest stem plus 60% of each additional stem. Hedges are excluded.

Confirm the status of the proposed amendment with the City of Port Coquitlam.

Last checked 2026-09-01. Sources: Port Coquitlam Tree Bylaw, 2019, No. 4108 (consolidated), City of Port Coquitlam tree removal and protection page.

Tree Protection Bylaw, 2026, No. 3531 protects a tree of 30 cm DBH or more on any lot, measured at 1.4 m, or 10 cm for six named species and in protected areas.

Private tree permit trigger

30 cm, or 10 cm for six named species and in protected areas

Permit fee

$75 without development, $300 for RS or RT development, $720 for other Development Approvals, and $0 for hazard trees or permits with no removals.

Replacement

A tree of 50 cm or more needs 2 medium or large trees or 4 small ones. A smaller tree needs 1 or 2. On a lot under a Development Approval, any protected tree needs 2 or 4.

How to apply

Online

The threshold drops to 10 cm for Arbutus, Cascara, Pacific dogwood, Pacific yew, Shore pine and Western white pine. It also drops to 10 cm in a Riparian Management Zone, in an Environmentally Sensitive Area and on a lot under an active Development Approval. A multi-stem tree uses the cumulative total of its three largest stems.

Confirm barrier and species-size standards with the City of Port Moody.

Last checked 2026-09-01. Sources: Port Moody Tree Protection Bylaw, 2026, No. 3531, Port Moody Fees Bylaw, 2025, No. 3524.

Private tree permit trigger

20 cmprotected tree threshold

Permit fee

$70 for one tree per parcel in any 12 months. $84.25 per tree for two or more trees. $70 to renew or extend a permit. A hazard-tree removal is $0.

Replacement

Schedule A replacement: 1:1 on a one-family lot with no development (6 cm caliper or 3.5 m stock), 2:1 for a rezoning, development permit, subdivision or works (8 cm caliper or 4 m stock), and 3:1 for a significant tree. A significant tree removed without a permit is replaced 3:1 with 24 cm caliper or 8 m stock. Replacement security is $750 per tree on a subdivision and $0 otherwise. Retained-tree security is $5,000 for 20 to 30 cm, $10,000 for 31 to 91 cm and $20,000 for a significant tree. Confirm cash-in-lieu with the City of Richmond.

How to apply

By email to TreeProtection@richmond.ca, starting from the City's tree removal page

Last checked 2026-09-01. Sources: Richmond Tree Protection Bylaw 8057 (consolidated with Bylaw 10715), Richmond Consolidated Fees Bylaw 8636, Bulletin TREE-03: Protection of Existing Trees, Bulletin TREE-04: Arborist Report requirements, City of Richmond: tree removal.

Private tree permit trigger

30 cmprotected tree threshold

Permit fee

$108 base fee plus $42 per protected tree removed (existing lots).

Replacement

2:1 replacement (s.57), or 1:1 for red alder and black cottonwood outside riparian areas. Cash-in-lieu: $550 plus tax per tree, capped at $41,250 plus tax per acre cleared.

How to apply

By email to treebylaw@surrey.ca

Last checked 2026-09-01. Sources: Surrey Tree Protection Bylaw 16100 (consolidated to Bylaw 21973), City of Surrey: removing trees, City of Surrey: protecting Surrey's urban forest.

Private tree permit trigger

20 cmprotected tree threshold

Permit fee

$113 for the first tree in a 12-month period and $324 for each additional tree in that period.

Replacement

For each tree removed, plant one replacement tree from Schedule D Part 1 or two from Part 2 (1:1 or 2:1). Cash-in-lieu of $1,000 per tree (s.6.2) is an owner election. It applies only if the site still has at least the Schedule C number of trees after the removal. Security is $500 per replacement tree, or $750 where the replacement tree is 8 cm caliper or more (s.4.10(c)).

How to apply

Online, through the City of Vancouver permit portal

Last checked 2026-09-02. Sources: Protection of Trees By-law No. 9958 (consolidated), By-law No. 9958 consolidated to December 9, 2025, City of Vancouver Protection of Trees By-law page, City of Vancouver online permit portal.

Private tree permit trigger

Variesby site and species

Permit fee

$330 base fee plus $120 per additional tree, for a private-property permit.

Replacement

Replacement under s.7.1 is 1:1 with no size tiers. Confirm with the District of West Vancouver which removals need a replacement tree. New stock is at least 5 cm caliper for a deciduous tree or 3 m tall for a conifer, chosen from the Schedule B species list. The District holds a security of $1,000 per replacement tree, capped at $10,000. The bylaw we verified has no cash-in-lieu provision. Confirm with the District of West Vancouver.

How to apply

Online only, through the District's Document Upload Centre

Last checked 2026-09-01. Sources: West Vancouver Tree Bylaw No. 4892, 2016 (consolidated to Amendment Bylaw 5202, 2022), District of West Vancouver: tree cutting permit, private property, District of West Vancouver: tree cutting permits, District of West Vancouver: Document Upload Centre.

Private tree permit trigger

20 cmprotected tree threshold

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.

Replacement

By the DBH of the removed tree (Part 7, section 8): under 50 cm, 2 trees; 51 to 65, 3 trees; 66 to 75, 4 trees; 76 to 85, 5 trees; over 85, 6 trees. A lower-value tree needs a flat 2. Security is $1,500 per replacement tree. Cash-in-lieu of $1,500 per tree applies to City trees removed for Type 3 construction. For private trees, confirm cash-in-lieu with the City of White Rock. Retained-tree security, held one year: $3,000 under 50 cm, $4,500 from 51 to 65, $10,000 over 65, and $2,500 for a lower-value tree.

How to apply

In person only at Planning and Development Services; no online portal

Last checked 2026-09-11. Sources: White Rock Tree Protection Bylaw, 2021, No. 2407 (consolidated October 2025), 2026 Fees and Charges Bylaw, 2025, No. 2554, Schedule A, City of White Rock: tree management permits.