A permit is required to cut protected trees. Protected trees are:
- Any tree 75 cm Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) or greater, or in the case of a tree with multiple stems, a combined stem DBH of 75 cm or more;
- On a parcel being developed with at least one new residential or commercial building, or subdivided to create at least one additional parcel for a new residential building, any tree 20 cm DBH or greater, or in the case of a tree with multiple stems, a combined stem DBH of 20 cm or more.
- Any replacement tree;
- Any retained tree;
- Any heritage tree (as part of the West Vancouver Community Heritage Register);
- Any tree located within a Watercourse Protection Area or Foreshore Protection Area (See Tree Cutting Permit: Watercourse Protection Area and Foreshore Protection Area);
- Any tree of the following species, greater than 20 cm DBH: i. Arbutus (Arbutus menziesii); ii. Gary Oak (Quercus garryana); iii. Pacific Yew (Taxus brevifolia); iv. Pacific dogwood (Cornus nuttallii); v. Yellow cedar (Cuppressus nootkatensis); vi. Shore pine (Pinus contorta var contorta) that lie within the protected shoreline area as defined using the Provincial ecosystem zone mapping;
- Any tree that contains an active nest of any bird, or the nest, whether active or not, of an eagle, peregrine falcon, gyrfalcon, heron, osprey, or burrowing owl;
- Any tree that constitutes the habitat of a protected wildlife species under the Provincial Wildlife Act or Federal Migratory Bird Act; and
- Any tree on land owned by the district of West Vancouver, including highways and boulevards (see Tree Cutting Permit: Municipal Property).
Note: Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) is measured 1.4 metres from the ground.
How to apply
- Obtain an arborist report outlining the proposed work and rationale which meets the conditions of the Tree Bylaw for the proposed work.
- 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 reports 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 $330
Each additional tree removal $120The permit fee is outlined in the District's Fee and Charges Bylaw and may be subject to change.
Application fees are non-refundable.
Pay your invoice online - The review of a completed application usually takes two to three weeks.
- If your application is approved, the District Arborist will inform you by email.
- Following approval a security deposit may be required for replacement trees. The District Arborist will request a security deposit amount and provide payment instructions for the security deposit. Note: security deposits can not be paid online.
- Once the security deposit has been paid the permit will be issued by email.
- The tree permit must be posted on site, in a visible location from the street, during the work.
- Once the work has been completed and replacement trees have been planted (if required), send the District Arborist confirmation that replacement trees have been planted to complete the permit and request release of the security deposit.