A permit is required to cut protected trees:
- trees of any species 75 cm in diameter or larger
- Arbutus, Garry oak, Pacific yew, Pacific dogwood, Yellow cedar, and Shore pine 20 cm in diameter or larger
- trees 10 centimeters in diameter or larger that are located within 15 metres of the top of a watercourse bank, through an Environmental Development Permit
- heritage trees (as part of the Community Heritage Register)
Note: the diameter is measured 1.4 metres from the ground.
How to apply
- Obtain an arborist report outlining the proposed work and rationale based on the Tree Bylaw
- Complete the application form:
Private Property Tree Cutting Permit Application Form - Applications must now be submitted using the Document Upload Centre. Emailed submissions will not be accepted. In order to use this service, you will require the following:
- A valid email address.
- An arborist report.
- All application forms, documents, and arborist report must be ready in PDF format.
- The person specified as the applicant on the application form must be the same individual making this online submission.
Ready to submit? Click on the link below
Document Upload Centre
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The application fee must be paid online when the application is submitted. If following the initial review additional trees are identified, a fee slip for the additional trees will follow.
As of the 2025 Fees and Charges Bylaw the fees are:
Private Property Tree Cutting Permit $325
Each additional tree removal $120 -
The permit fee is outlined in the District's Fee and Charges Bylaw and may be subject to change.
Application fees are non-refundable.
Note: replanting and a security deposit may be required.
- The review of a completed application usually takes two to three weeks.
- If your application is approved, the permit will be sent to you by email.
- The tree permit must be posted on site, in a visible location from the street, during the work.