Do I need a permit to cut down a tree?

Trees & tree removal — Surrey, British Columbia

In the City of Surrey, British Columbia, permit required: True; applies to private property: True; protected threshold: D.B.H. 30 cm+; specific species 3m tall or 5 cm caliper; significant trees; replacement required: Two (2) replacement trees for each one (1) protected tree; cash-in-lieu $550.00 per tree if not accommodated. Source: Surrey Tree Protection Bylaw, 2006, No. 16100, verified 2026-08-28.

Surrey Tree Protection Bylaw, 2006, No. 16100 adopted bylaw

permit required	True	Part 3, Section 6
applies to private property	True	Part 1, Section 2, Definition 'owner'
protected threshold	D.B.H. 30 cm+; specific species 3m tall or 5 cm caliper; significant trees	Part 1, Section 2, Definition 'protected tree' (a), (h), (f)
replacement required	Two (2) replacement trees for each one (1) protected tree; cash-in-lieu $550.00 per tree if not accommodated	Part 9, Section 57, 57.1
fine range	not less than FIFTY ($50.00) DOLLARS and not more than TWENTY THOUSAND ($20,000.00) DOLLARS per offence	Part 4, Section 10

scout note

Requires a Tree Cutting Permit to remove or damage a 'protected tree' (35cm+ diameter, or a Council-designated significant tree); sets permit fees, security deposits, and replacement-tree requirements.