Do I need a permit to cut down a tree?

Trees & tree removal — Central Saanich, British Columbia

In the District Municipality of Central Saanich, British Columbia, permit required: True; applies to private property: True; protected threshold: Permit Tree: 30cm+ DBH. Protected Species: >50cm height (Garry Oak, Arbutus, etc.). Significant Tree: >60cm DBH.; replacement required: 3 replacement trees per removed tree (1 for hazardous). Cash-in-lieu $500/tree ($750 for District property).. Source: Central Saanich Tree Management Bylaw No. 2065, 2021, verified 2026-08-28.

Central Saanich Tree Management Bylaw No. 2065, 2021 adopted bylaw

permit required	True	s. 5(1)
applies to private property	True	s. 3
protected threshold	Permit Tree: 30cm+ DBH. Protected Species: >50cm height (Garry Oak, Arbutus, etc.). Significant Tree: >60cm DBH.	s. 2 Definitions
replacement required	3 replacement trees per removed tree (1 for hazardous). Cash-in-lieu $500/tree ($750 for District property).	s. 9(1)(a)(i), s. 9(1)(b)(iii), s. 9(8), s. 9(1)(a)(v)
boulevard trees	Trees on District property require $750 cash-in-lieu per tree removed; District cuts on highways exempt.	s. 9(1)(a)(v), s. 3(1)(b)
fine range	$50.00 per centimetre of trunk diameter	s. 13(1)

scout note

Requires a permit to cut/remove a "Permit Tree" (30cm+ DBH) or a protected species such as Garry Oak (over 50cm), and requires tree replanting per the bylaw's schedules.