Trees & tree removal — Burnaby, British Columbia

Do I need a permit to cut down a tree?

In the City of Burnaby, British Columbia, permit required: True; applies to private property: True; protected threshold: Development application: 20.3 cm (8 in.) or greater; No development application: conifer 30.5 cm (12 in.) or greater, broad leaf 45.7 cm (18 in.) or greater; also covenanted, streamside, Cemetery District, landscaping plan, replacement, retained trees; replacement required: 1 tree for diameter up to 30.5 cm (12 in.); 2 trees for over 30.5 cm (12 in.) up to 61 cm (24 in.); 3 trees for over 61 cm (24 in.); cash-in-lieu permitted if planting not feasible. Source: Burnaby Tree Bylaw No. 10482, 1996 (Consolidated), verified 2026-08-28.

Burnaby Tree Bylaw No. 10482, 1996 (Consolidated) adopted bylaw
permit required True s. 3
applies to private property True s. 13(1)
protected threshold Development application: 20.3 cm (8 in.) or greater; No development application: conifer 30.5 cm (12 in.) or greater, broad leaf 45.7 cm (18 in.) or greater; also covenanted, streamside, Cemetery District, landscaping plan, replacement, retained trees s. 2(o)
replacement required 1 tree for diameter up to 30.5 cm (12 in.); 2 trees for over 30.5 cm (12 in.) up to 61 cm (24 in.); 3 trees for over 61 cm (24 in.); cash-in-lieu permitted if planting not feasible s. 13(1), s. 13(5)
boulevard trees Permit not required if necessary for construction, installation, maintenance, repair, replacement or removal of boulevards s. 4(e)(i)
fine range not less than Two Thousand ($2,000.00) Dollars and not more than Ten Thousand ($10,000.00) Dollars for each violation s. 19
scout note

Requires a Tree Cutting Permit to damage or remove a protected tree (20.3 cm+ diameter), with fee-based application and Schedule A permit fees.

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