Tree bylaws across 21 Metro Vancouver municipalities

Tree Management Bylaw No. 587-2018 sets the tree diameter that needs a permit: 20 cm.

Private tree permit trigger

20 cm

Permit fee

$10 (Annual Tree Cutting Allowance Permit, up to two trees per lot per calendar year, no replacement); $500 (Tree Cutting Permit, any other removal; no fee for a dangerous tree)

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).

Sources: Anmore Tree Management Bylaw No. 587-2018, Anmore Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 608-2019.

The Village's tree bylaw covers municipal land only.

Private tree permit trigger

The Village's tree bylaw covers municipal land only.

Permit fee

No private tree permit

Replacement

No private tree permit

How to apply

No private tree permit

Managing Trees, Views and Landscapes Bylaw No. 589, 2021 states that it does not apply to trees on private property. A tree on Village land needs a Village permit and a refundable clean-up deposit.

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

No private tree permit

Replacement

No private tree permit

How to apply

No private tree permit

Site Alteration Bylaw No. 568, 2022 regulates soil deposit and removal, not tree removal. For trees on municipal roads and boulevards, confirm with Bowen Island Municipality.

Sources: Bowen Island Municipality building and planning FAQ, Bowen Island Site Alteration Bylaw No. 568, 2022.

Private tree permit trigger

Variesby tree and site

Permit fee

Varies by case. See the fee tables in the city's card on the Metro Vancouver tree bylaws page

Replacement

Replacement under s.13(1) scales with the size of the removed tree: 1, 2 or 3 trees. Replacement conifers must be at least 2 m tall and broadleaf trees at least 5 cm in diameter. The security is $1,500 (minimum security for tree replacement). 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.

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 (no supplemental documentation, planning or plan checking required); $358 (supplemental documentation, planning or plan checking 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. 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.

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

Varies by case. See the fee tables in the city's card on the Metro Vancouver tree bylaws page

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. Confirm with Delta for the Schedule B cash value per tree. 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

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 anywhere, and other trees on a lot with a Development Application. The sizes are 20 cm (lot subject to a development application); 75 cm (significant trees anywhere); any size (tree in an environmentally sensitive area).

Private tree permit trigger

20 cm (lot subject to a development application); 75 cm (significant trees anywhere); any size (tree in an environmentally sensitive area)

Permit fee

Varies by case. See the fee tables in the city's card on the Metro Vancouver tree bylaws page

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 Replacement Tree not planted, when the Director finds planting on the lot not feasible; for a city tree of 30 cm DBH or more the appraised value applies instead when it is higher; plus applicable taxes).

How to apply

Paper application form

Every City tree and every tree in an Environmentally Sensitive Area is protected at any size. 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.

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 sets the tree diameter that needs a permit. The protected size is 20 cm (not land under a tree farm, nursery or Christmas tree licence, not Agricultural Land Reserve land, not land subject of a development application; not a replacement tree planted under the Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw; no evidence of nesting or use by raptors, osprey, pileated woodpecker, heron colony or hummingbird).

Private tree permit trigger

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

$100 (per tree, building envelope conflict). Confirm with Township of Langley for the other fees

Replacement

Cash-in-lieu is $600 (per tree 20 to 30 cm DBH, building envelope, driveway or septic field conflict); $1,200 (per tree over 30 cm DBH, building envelope, driveway or septic field conflict). Confirm with Township of Langley for other cash-in-lieu amounts.

How to apply

Online

Diameter is measured at 1.4 m. 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.

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

No private tree permit

Replacement

No private tree permit

How to apply

No private tree permit

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. A tree on Village land needs a Village permit, a damage deposit and liability insurance.

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

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

$70 for the first residential tree in a calendar year; $100 for each additional residential tree in a calendar year; $300 base fee for development; $100 per tree for development

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. 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.

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

$132 (application, non-resident applicant); $81 (per tree, resident applicant, trees other than hazardous trees). Confirm with New Westminster for the other fees

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)). Replacement security is listed by case in the fee tables in the city's card on the Metro Vancouver tree bylaws page. Retained-tree security is listed by case in the fee tables in the city's card on the Metro Vancouver tree bylaws page. Cash-in-lieu is listed by case in the fee tables in the city's card on the Metro Vancouver tree bylaws page.

How to apply

Online only, through E-Apply

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

20 cm (tree not wholly on land zoned GO, RS-1, RS-2, RS-4B, RT-1 or RT-2, or in a CD zone based on them)

Permit fee

$135.36 (inspection, per site visit); $182.25 (per application, base fee); $78.11 (per tree removed)

Replacement

3:1, or one replacement per tree for a dead, dying or hazardous tree. At least one replacement per permit is a conifer, and stock is at least 5 cm caliper or a 3 m conifer. Cash-in-lieu is $781.06 (per tree removed, payable when a Certified Arborist finds the parcel cannot hold some or all required replacement trees).

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 lots in other zones, a tree above the bylaw's diameter needs a permit: 20 cm (tree not wholly on land zoned GO, RS-1, RS-2, RS-4B, RT-1 or RT-2, or in a CD zone based on them).

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

Sources: City of North Vancouver Tree Bylaw, 2022, No. 8888 (consolidated), City of North Vancouver private trees page.

Private tree permit trigger

Variesby tree and site

Permit fee

$116 per tree for up to 4 protected trees; $116 per tree to cut a large-diameter tree; $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; $581 per tree to remove a large-diameter tree

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. Confirm with District of North Vancouver for the compensation fee per large-diameter tree.

How to apply

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

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.

Tree Management Bylaw No. 3067, 2026 sets the tree diameter that needs a permit. The protected size is 20 cm (outside the Agricultural Land Reserve, Private Managed Forest Land and Forest Act tenure land; not a Replacement Tree, Canopy Tree, permit-required landscape tree or registered Significant Tree; a multi-stemmed tree counts when its combined DBH is greater than 20 cm; subject to the municipal, utility, agricultural, pruning and confirmed hazard or dead-tree exemptions in section 6.1).

Private tree permit trigger

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

$300 (development flat); $50 (non-development flat); $50 (per tree to be removed, added to the flat fee of either permit type)

Replacement

At least 1 replacement tree for each tree removed, planted on the same property within 6 months. Cash-in-lieu is listed by case in the fee tables in the city's card on the Metro Vancouver tree bylaws page. The planting security is $2,000 (per Canopy Tree to be planted, before a City Permit issues); $1,500 (per Replacement Tree required to be planted, development permit, capped per hectare and per application). Confirm with Pitt Meadows for the protection deposit for a retained tree.

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.

Tree Management Bylaw No. 3067, 2026 replaced Interim Bylaw No. 3035.

Sources: Pitt Meadows Tree Management Bylaw No. 3067, 2026, City of Pitt Meadows tree protection page.

Tree Bylaw No. 4108 sets the tree diameter and height that need a permit. The sizes are 15 cm (tree under 5 m tall that is not a Schedule A rare native species, a replacement tree or a tree planted as a development permit condition); any size (tree 5 m or taller).

Private tree permit trigger

15 cm (tree under 5 m tall that is not a Schedule A rare native species, a replacement tree or a tree planted as a development permit condition); any size (tree 5 m or taller)

Permit fee

$100 (per cut tree; no charge if the tree is deemed hazardous)

Replacement

A 2025 amendment was proposed. Cash-in-lieu is $500 (per replacement tree not planted, where the lot cannot accommodate it and the Parks Section Manager approves). The replacement security is $500 (per required replacement tree; may be waived under s.8.5 and s.8.6). 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.

Sources: Port Coquitlam Tree Bylaw, 2019, No. 4108 (consolidated), City of Port Coquitlam tree removal and protection page.

Tree Protection Bylaw, 2026, No. 3531 sets one diameter for a tree on any lot and a lower one for six named species and in protected areas. The sizes are listed by case in the size table in the city's card on the Metro Vancouver tree bylaws page.

Private tree permit trigger

30 cm

Permit fee

$300 (RS and RT zoned residential property subject to development approval); $75 (property not subject to a development approval); $720 (property subject to a development approval, other than RS and RT zoned residential)

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 lower diameter applies to Arbutus, Cascara, Pacific dogwood, Pacific yew, Shore pine and Western white pine. It also applies 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.

Sources: Port Moody Tree Protection Bylaw, 2026, No. 3531, Port Moody Fees Bylaw, 2025, No. 3524.

Private tree permit trigger

Variesby tree and site

Permit fee

$70 for one tree per parcel in any 12 months; $84.25 per tree for two or more trees; $70 to renew, extend or modify a permit

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. Retained-tree security on a subdivision 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

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

Varies by case. See the fee tables in the city's card on the Metro Vancouver tree bylaws page

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.

How to apply

By email to treebylaw@surrey.ca

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; $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

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 tree and site

Permit fee

$120 (private property, each additional tree removal); $330 (private property, pruning or removal of one tree)

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 security is $1,000 (per replacement tree, total security capped at ten trees). Cash-in-lieu is $1,000 (per replacement tree, when planting a replacement tree is not possible).

How to apply

Online only, through the District's Document Upload Centre

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

$558 (Type 2 (unwanted tree)); $1,163 (Type 3 (demolition or building permit))

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. Confirm with White Rock for the replacement security, the retained-tree security and the cash-in-lieu amount.

How to apply

In person only, at Planning and Development Services. There is no online portal.

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.