Tree Protection and Management Bylaw

A Tree Permit is required to: 

• Cut or remove a protected tree (a tree that is greater than 20 cm diameter at the tree's breast height (DBH))
• Prune more than 25% of a tree's live crown 
• Remove any size tree in a Riparian Area or Conservation Area 
• Carry out work that would damage a protected tree contrary to the bylaw 

A Protected Tree includes: 

• Any tree with a DBH of 20 cm or greater 
• Any Significant Tree, which is a tree with a DBH of 60 cm or greater 
• Any tree located on City property 
• Any Replacement Tree 
• Any tree required through a rezoning, subdivision, development permit, development variance permit, demolition permit, or building permit 
• A tree of any size located in a Riparian Area or Conservation Area 
• A covenanted tree 
• Any tree with evidence of nesting or use by raptors, osprey, or herons 

Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) is measured at 1.40 metres above the highest point of the natural grade at the base of the tree.

For multi-stemmed trees, the diameter of the three largest stems are measured and added together.

Additional restrictions and permit requirements may apply where trees are located: 

• In a Riparian Area 
• In a Conservation Area 
• Near a watercourse 
• On or near steep slopes 
• Within a covenant area 
• On sites associated with development or building activity 

A tree of any size in a Riparian Area or Conservation Area is a Protected Tree. 

A Tree Permit may be issued if one or more of the following applies: 

• The tree is a Hazard Tree, confirmed by a qualified Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) Arborist
• The tree prevents development permitted under the Zoning Bylaw, and the development cannot reasonably be redesigned to retain the tree 
• The base of the tree is within 1.0 metre of the foundation wall of an existing principal dwelling 
• The tree is causing substantial structural or infrastructure damage, as verified by the City or a qualified professional acceptable to the City 
• The City has issued or approved a related development or building permit requiring removal of the tree
• Removal is required to site a principal dwelling, septic field, roadway, or utility corridor approved by the City 
• The property is in active agricultural use and the tree interferes with the best agricultural use of the land 
• The tree is significantly diseased, damaged, or dying and is likely to be dead within six (6) months, as documented in an Arborist Report 

Although a Tree Permit is not required in the following instances, you are required to document and have the City verify the conditions: 

• The tree is dead from natural causes, as verified by an Arborist, third-party testing at the applicant's expense, or by the City 
• The tree has been severely damaged or destabilized by severe weather and has become an imminent Hazard Tree, as assessed by a TRAQ Arborist, and the removal is reported to the City within one business day 
• Fewer than ten (10) Protected Trees are being removed on land in Agricultural Use with active farm status, where removal is required as part of a designated farm use and is not prohibited by another bylaw or enactment 
  Even where a Tree Permit is not required, all persons must still comply with other applicable legislation, including bird nesting and wildlife protection requirements. 

 Even where a Tree Permit is not required, all persons must still comply with other applicable legislation, including bird nesting and wildlife protection requirements. 

To apply for a Tree Permit:  

1.  Complete the Tree Removal Permit Application Form  
2. Include all required supporting documents 
3. Include an owner consent form if the applicant is not the property owner 
4. Include a shared tree consent form if required 
5. Submit the application to the City
6. Pay the applicable fee(s) once the City sends you the invoice
7. Wait for City review and approval 
8. Do not begin work until a permit has been issued
9. Tree permits are valid for 6 months.

Only the following people can apply for a Tree Permit: 

• The property owner of the tree proposed for removal
• An authorized agent acting on behalf of the owner 

Depending on the purpose of the application, supporting documents for a Tree Permit application may include: 

• Site information 
• Tree details and photographs 
• Owner consent Form 
• Property consent Form (shared tree with a neighbor)
• Adjacent owner consent where part of the tree base or lower trunk is shared with an adjacent lot 
• Arborist Report 
• Tree Risk Assessment report
• Tree Management Plan 
• Replacement tree information/plan
• Site survey information 
• Bird nest survey 
• Development-related documents 
• Other information requested by the City 

An Arborist Report is generally required, except where only one protected tree is proposed for removal and that tree is not a Significant Tree ( DBH of 60 cm or greater ) or a Hazard Tree (assessed a qualified Tree Risk Assessment Qualification Arborist).

Arborist Reports must meet the requirements set out in the bylaw and applicable City bulletins. 
 

 A Tree Management Plan is required if:  

• The lot is subject to a subdivision application 
• The lot is subject to a rezoning application 
• The lot is subject to a development permit 
• The lot is subject to a development variance permit 
• The lot is subject to a building permit 
• The lot is subject to a demolition permit 
• Ten (10) or more protected trees are proposed to be removed 
• More than 500 square metres of land clearing is proposed 

 The City may require additional information, including:  

• A survey prepared by a BC Land Surveyor where the tree is near a property line, watercourse, ravine bank, steep slope, or where ownership is unclear 
• A bird nest survey if tree removal is proposed between March 15 and August 15 
• Other professional reports where required by site conditions or development activity 

 If a protected tree is removed, replacement trees are generally required. 

 Replacement Tree Requirements 

If a Tree Permit authorizes removal of only one protected tree on a lot in a calendar year, only one replacement tree is required. 

If an additional Tree Permit is issued in the same calendar year for that lot, the standard replacement ratios apply. 

If on-site planting is not feasible, as determined by the Manager, the applicant may be required to pay cash-in-lieu for each required replacement tree not planted on the lot, in accordance with the  Fees and Charges Bylaw.

Retained trees may need to be protected during development, demolition, servicing, or construction.  

This may include: 

• Installation of a Tree Protection Barrier 
• Protection of the Critical Root Zone 
• Arborist supervision or monitoring 
• Restrictions on grading, excavation, storage, machinery movement, and material placement near retained trees 

No work may begin until required tree protection measures are installed and approved where required by the bylaw.

 Before tree cutting or removal begins, the applicant must post the following on the property in a location visible to the public for at least 24 hours and until the work is complete:  

• A copy of the Tree Permit
• The location, quantity, and species of each protected tree to be cut or removed 
• Contact information for the applicant and the City

 Before tree removal work begins, review Bulletin 008 (PDF) – Bird Nesting.

 A City Tree Permit does not authorize work that would contravene other applicable legislation, including bird nesting and wildlife protection laws.