Tree Protection and Management Bylaw

• Tree Permit Application Form (Residential)
• Tree Permit Application Form (Development)
• Arborist Assurance Letter

• Owner Consent Form
• Strata Consent Form
• Neighbour Consent Form

The documents below provide a quick summary guide to the City of Maple Ridge’s requirements for trees on private property. For specific bylaw language and detailed requirements please review the Tree Protection and Management bylaw.

• Bulletin - Residential Tree Cutting Permits
• Bulletin - Bird Nesting
• Bulletin - Arborist Report Requirement
• Bulletin - Tree Management Plan Requirements
• Bulletin - Tree Protection Specifications
• Bulletin - Replacement Tree Requirements 
• Bulletin - Trees and Construction
• Bulletin - Tree Removals for Agriculture

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.

tree-bulletin-residential-tree-cutting-permits

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 

 See Tree Bylaw and Tree Removal for details or contact Trees@MaplerRidge.ca to confirm.

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.

Pruning should always be done by a certified arborist who follows the Best Management Practices of the International Society of Arboriculture. . Pruning should never exceed ¼ of the existing canopy. Topping trees is not allowed and it is considered damaging protected trees.

No. Topping (removal of the top portion or a substantial portion of a tree) is considered tree damage and is prohibited in the Tree Protection and Management Bylaw.

There are a few points to consider when trimming trees on adjacent properties:

• Its best to consult with your neighbour prior to undertaking any pruning work
• You can trim any overhanging tree branch back to the property line, without trespassing onto your neighbor’s property.
• You cannot damage your neighbor’s property; in this case their tree
• You can maintain your property in a safe condition
• It is often not possible to trim branches back to the property line while simultaneously making a proper pruning cut. This can result in damage to your neighbor’s tree, and you may be held liable. Consult your neighbor before making any cuts, and use an ISA certified arborist to perform any and all tree work.  The City of Maple Ridge does not act as mediator between neighbours in these instances.

The City enforces the Tree Protection and Management bylaw through a variety of means including fines, tickets, stop work orders, compliance through retroactive tree permits and other methods as applicable to the situation.

You can report tree bylaw concerns to trees@mapleridge.ca

Tree protection barriers must remain in place until the work is complete, and your arborist has signed off on the project. Your arborist must submit a sign off report to the City documenting the final tree inspection.

If Retained Trees are not Damaged during construction, Retained Tree securities may be considered for release upon:

1. 12 months after the City issues a Letter of Completion; or
2. Two (2) years after the building permit final; or
3. After the receipt of a letter from the project arborist confirming the retained trees were not damaged during construction; or
4. At the City’s discretion

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. 

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 Trees@MapleRidge.ca
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 

Find an arborist with valid ISA Certified Arborist credentials.  Often an online search is the easiest way to do this. 

Ensure they have a valid Business Licence for the City of Maple Ridge.

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)
• 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 (an Arborist Report with a Tree Risk Assessment is required, provided by 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 

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 

 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

Tree permits are valid for 6 months from the date of issuance. 

Yes, depending on how long ago it expired, you may be required to re-apply or pay a permit renewal fee. Fill in and submit a new application form and our team will let you know what is required.

Yes. At least one replacement tree is generally required when a protected tree is removed. See details in the Tree Protection and Management Bylaw.

It depends on the size of the tree removed and the permit circumstances. See Tree Bylaw and Tree Removal or Replacement Tree Requirements for details. 

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.

Security deposit collected to cover the cost and maintenance of a Replacement Tree are released as follows:

1. Release 50% after the City approves planting per Section 9 of this bylaw; and
2. Release the balance one year after the first release, if the City approves the trees condition per Section 11

In some cases, yes. 

Tree permits are NOT required for: 
Dead trees, Farming uses, Imminent tree failures.

However, please verify these situations with the City prior to removal.
See Tree Bylaw and Tree Removal for details or contact Trees@MaplerRidge.ca to confirm.
 

A request for reconsideration can be made within 30 days of the City's decision and in writing to the Director. Submit your letter to Trees@MapleRidge.ca.