Do I need a permit to cut down a tree?

Trees & tree removal — Saanich, British Columbia

In the District Municipality of Saanich, British Columbia, permit required: True; applies to private property: True; protected threshold: Arbutus/Garry Oak/Dogwood/Yew >= 2m height or 4cm diam; Douglas-fir/Grand Fir/Maple/Cedar >= 30cm DBH; any tree >= 60cm DBH; also replacement, Significant, Streamside, permit-condition, nest, and Saanich-owned trees.; replacement required: 1:1 for s. 19(a-d,g); 2:1 for s. 19(h-i); 3:1 for s. 19(j-k). Cash-in-lieu $300 or $700 per tree if lot cannot accommodate.. Source: Tree Protection Bylaw, 2014, No. 9272, verified 2026-08-28.

Tree Protection Bylaw, 2014, No. 9272 adopted bylaw

permit required	True	s. 7
applies to private property	True	s. 19(g)
protected threshold	Arbutus/Garry Oak/Dogwood/Yew >= 2m height or 4cm diam; Douglas-fir/Grand Fir/Maple/Cedar >= 30cm DBH; any tree >= 60cm DBH; also replacement, Significant, Streamside, permit-condition, nest, and Saanich-owned trees.	s. 2 PROTECTED TREE
replacement required	1:1 for s. 19(a-d,g); 2:1 for s. 19(h-i); 3:1 for s. 19(j-k). Cash-in-lieu $300 or $700 per tree if lot cannot accommodate.	s. 40, s. 44, s. 45
boulevard trees	Trees on Saanich-owned property are protected; exemptions apply for Saanich operations on rights-of-way or highways.	s. 2(i), s. 4(a)
fine range	Not less than $1,000 (1st) / $2,000 (2nd+); $5,000 for Significant Trees; $250 for other contraventions.	s. 65

scout note

Requires permits to cut/prune protected trees: Garry Oak, Arbutus, Dogwood and Yew at 2m+ height or 4cm+ diameter; Douglas-fir, Grand Fir, Big Leaf Maple and Cedar at 30cm+ DBH; any tree 60cm+ DBH; and Council-designated Significant Trees.