Trees & tree removal — Esquimalt, British Columbia

Do I need a permit to cut down a tree?

In the District Municipality of Esquimalt, British Columbia, permit required: True; applies to private property: True; protected threshold: Native trees (Douglas Fir, Grand Fir, Western Red Cedar) >= 4 m height; Native trees (Arbutus, Big Leaf Maple, Garry Oak, Pacific Dogwood, Pacific Yew) >= 4 cm DBH; Any tree >= 30 centimetres DBH; plus Wildlife, Nesting, Replacement, Steep Slope, Plan trees.; replacement required: Replacement Trees required per species/size table; if not feasible, cash contribution to reserve account amount not to be less than $300 for each Protected Tree proposed to be Cut.. Source: Tree Protection Bylaw, 2022, No. 3076, verified 2026-08-28.

Tree Protection Bylaw, 2022, No. 3076 adopted bylaw
permit required True s. 4(1)
applies to private property True s. 3(1)
protected threshold Native trees (Douglas Fir, Grand Fir, Western Red Cedar) >= 4 m height; Native trees (Arbutus, Big Leaf Maple, Garry Oak, Pacific Dogwood, Pacific Yew) >= 4 cm DBH; Any tree >= 30 centimetres DBH; plus Wildlife, Nesting, Replacement, Steep Slope, Plan trees. Schedule "A"
replacement required Replacement Trees required per species/size table; if not feasible, cash contribution to reserve account amount not to be less than $300 for each Protected Tree proposed to be Cut. s. 9(1), s. 9(2), s. 9(5)
boulevard trees Township exempt from permit for trees on land it owns/possesses; public boulevard trees must be shown on survey plans. s. 5(1)(g), s. 6(1)(e)(vi)
fine range Fine of not more than $10,000 (Ten Thousand Dollars); each day a separate offence. s. 13(1), s. 13(2)
scout note

Requires a permit to cut, remove or significantly alter protected trees on private and public land Township-wide, with exemptions for hazardous trees and some federal/provincial land.

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