Trees & tree removal — Abbotsford, British Columbia

Do I need a permit to cut down a tree?

In the City of Abbotsford, British Columbia, permit required: True; applies to private property: True; protected threshold: Any woody perennial ≥ 4 m height AND ≥ 20 cm DBH, or any tree growing in a tree retention area; significant trees designated in Schedule "D" (none currently designated); replacement required: 0 replacement trees if DBH < 20 cm; 2 if DBH 20–30 cm; 3 if DBH > 30 cm; cash-in-lieu permitted where replacement trees cannot reasonably be accommodated on the property. Source: Tree Protection Bylaw, 2010, verified 2026-08-28.

Tree Protection Bylaw, 2010 adopted bylaw
permit required True s. 4(2): "a person must apply for and obtain a tree cutting permit prior to cutting a tree"
applies to private property True s. 3(1): "This Bylaw applies in relation to all land within the City"
protected threshold Any woody perennial ≥ 4 m height AND ≥ 20 cm DBH, or any tree growing in a tree retention area; significant trees designated in Schedule "D" (none currently designated) Schedule "A" definition of "tree": "has reached a height of at least 4 m above the natural grade and has a DBH of at least 20 cm; or is growing in a tree retention area"
replacement required 0 replacement trees if DBH < 20 cm; 2 if DBH 20–30 cm; 3 if DBH > 30 cm; cash-in-lieu permitted where replacement trees cannot reasonably be accommodated on the property s. 8(2) (table) and s. 8(4)(b)
boulevard trees No permit required for City or at City's direction for trees on City-owned or City-possessed land s. 5(1)(f): "by the City or at the direction of the City, in relation to a tree located on land owned by or in the possession of the City"
scout note

Bylaw No. 1831-2009 requires a permit to cut protected trees citywide, with security deposit and replacement-tree requirements, permit conditions and defined exemptions; consolidated through 2021 amendments.

Machine-readable: trees.json · Official website: https://www.abbotsford.ca/ · Last verified 2026-08-28 · Trees & tree removal in other municipalities