Trees & tree removal across British Columbia

Do I need a permit to cut down a tree?

71 of 161 municipalities in British Columbia have an adopted bylaw on trees & tree removal on file. Each row links the municipality's answer page and, where transcribed, the full text of the document.

MunicipalityAdopted documentKey factsVerified
Abbotsford
City		 Tree Protection Bylaw, 2010
adopted 2010-07-12		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: Any woody perennial ≥ 4 m height AND ≥ 20 cm DBH, or any tree growing in a tree retention area; significant trees designated in Schedule "D" (none currently designated) 2026-08-28
Alert Bay
Village		 Alert Bay Tree Cutting Regulation Bylaw No. 763, 2015
adopted 2015-03-09		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: Wildlife trees; Hazard Boundary trees; trunk circumference greater than 31.5 centimeters 2026-08-28
Anmore
Village		 Anmore Tree Management Bylaw No. 587-2018
adopted 2018-12-04		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: any living, erect, woody plant which is 20 cm (7.8") or more in diameter measured 1.4 m (4.5') above the ground 2026-08-28
Belcarra
Village		 Village of Belcarra Managing Trees, Views & Landscapes Bylaw No. 589, 2021
adopted 2021-10-25		 permit required: True · applies to private property: False · protected threshold: diameter of 20 centimetres or more, measured at 1.4 metres above the natural grade 2026-08-28
Burnaby
City		 Burnaby Tree Bylaw No. 10482, 1996 (Consolidated)
adopted 1996-11-12		 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 2026-08-28
Central Saanich
District Municipality		 Central Saanich Tree Management Bylaw No. 2065, 2021
adopted 2021-06-28		 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. 2026-08-28
Chilliwack
City		 Tree Management (Land Development) Bylaw 3585 (Consolidated)
adopted 2008-09-08		 applies to private property: True · protected threshold: coniferous tree of a minimum 2.5 metres in height or a deciduous tree of a minimum 6.0 centimetres caliper-measured at 1.5 metres above average natural ground, which is to remain on a parcel after development · replacement required: tree density of at least 50 trees per hectare, comprising newly planted trees and retained trees 2026-08-28
Coldstream
District Municipality		 The Corporation of the District of Coldstream Tree Management Bylaw No. 1198, 1995
adopted 1995-03-23		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine, western red cedar, western larch, western hemlock, subalpine fir, Engelmann spruce greater than five (5) meters in height 2026-08-28
Colwood
City		 Urban Forest Bylaw No. 1735, 2018
adopted 2018-10-09		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: Specific species 2.0m height/4.0cm diam; Douglas-fir, Grand Fir, Big Leaf Maple, Western Red Cedar 30cm DBH; Any tree 60cm DBH 2026-08-28
Comox
Town		 Tree Protection Bylaw No. 2063
adopted 2026-06-10		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: Priority Species D.B.H. at least 20 cm; other species D.B.H. at least 30 cm 2026-08-28
Coquitlam
City		 Tree Management Bylaw Number 4091, 2010
adopted 2010-02-15		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: any living, erect, woody plant that is 20 centimetres or more in diameter measured 1.4 metres from the base of the tree stem, or on a steep slope, measured 5 or more metres in height 2026-08-28
Courtenay
City		 Street Tree Planting Bylaw No. 1709, 1993
+1 more
adopted 1993-08-04		 boulevard trees: street trees be planted for all new streets or street extensions · permit required: True · applies to private property: True 2026-08-28
Cumberland
Village		 Zoning Bylaw No. 1238, 2025 (Consolidated July 27, 2026)
adopted 2026-02-09		 applies to private property: True · boulevard trees: required trees may be accommodated within an irrigated boulevard, subject to written consent from the Village. · fines: penalty not exceeding $50,000.00 2026-08-28
Dawson Creek
City		 Parks Bylaw No. 4371, 2018
adopted 2018-06-25		 permit required: True · applies to private property: False · protected threshold: any tree... within a park 2026-08-28
Delta
City		 Delta Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw No. 7969, 2021
adopted 2021-12-13		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: any species; trunk diameter of 20 centimetres or greater measured at 1.4 metres above its base 2026-08-28
Duncan
City		 Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3135, 2014 (With Amendments to October 21, 2024)
adopted 2015-04-20		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: Arbutus/Garry Oak/Dogwood/Yew 2.0m height/7cm diam; Douglas-fir/Grand Fir/Maple/Cedar 20cm DBH; any tree 30cm DBH; replacement/Significant/DPA/nest trees 2026-08-28
Esquimalt
District Municipality		 Tree Protection Bylaw, 2022, No. 3076
adopted 2023-06-19		 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. 2026-08-28
Fraser Lake
Village		 Bylaw 852, Tree Bylaw permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: any Tree with a diameter greater than 10 centimetres or any Replacement Tree 2026-08-28
Gibsons
Town		 Tree Preservation Bylaw No. 1282, 2020
adopted 2020-09-18		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: DBH 10 cm or more on Sloping Terrain; Schedule A species DBH 20 cm or more; any species DBH 30 cm or more; Protected Tree Seedling 2026-08-28
Harrison Hot Springs
Village		 Tree Management and Preservation Bylaw No. 1015, 2012
adopted 2012-09-10		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: Tree: 7.5 metres or more in height; trunk diameter of 300 millimetres or more. Distinct Tree: species-specific diameters (e.g. Western Red Cedar over 120 centimetres) 2026-08-28
Highlands
District Municipality		 Tree Management Bylaw No. 10, 1994 (Consolidated to 2001)
adopted 1994-02-07		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: Garry Oak, Arbutus, Pacific Dogwood, Pacific Yew, Cascara, Manzanita; Douglas Fir > 60 cm; Any tree > 80 cm diameter 2026-08-28
Invermere
District Municipality		 Tree Removal Bylaw No. 1347, 2007
adopted 2007-06-26		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: any tree having a diameter greater than 80 centimetres (31.5 inches) 2026-08-28
Kamloops
City		 Tree Protection Bylaw No. 50-1 (Effective 2017-12-19, Consolidated)
adopted 2017-12-19		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: any coniferous or deciduous species; exemption on Private Lands for trees less than five metres (5 m) in height and less than ten centimetres (10 cm) in diameter 2026-08-28
Kimberley
City		 Tree Cutting Bylaw No. 2170, 2002
adopted 2002-11-25		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · replacement required: in accordance with any special conditions specified in the tree cutting permit 2026-08-28
Kitimat
District Municipality		 Kitimat Municipal Code, Part 9 Division 10 - Use of Highways and Other Public Spaces boulevard trees: No person shall plant any tree on any boulevard except as provided in s. 9.10.4.10. 2026-08-28
Lake Cowichan
Town		 Zoning Bylaw No. 1055-2021 (Consolidated 2026-02-24)
adopted 2021-09-28		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: any trees or portions of trees 2026-08-28
Langford
City		 City of Langford Tree Protection Bylaw No. 2269, 2026
adopted 2026-07-20		 — 2026-08-28
Langley
City		 Tree Protection and Management Bylaw, 2025, No. 3321
adopted 2026-01-19		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: City Tree; Tree in Environmentally Sensitive Area; 20 cm DBH on Lot subject to Development Application; Development Approval condition; Replacement Tree; Significant Tree (75 cm DBH); restrictive covenant 2026-08-28
Langley
District Municipality		 Tree Protection Bylaw 2019 No. 5478
adopted 2019-07-08		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: any tree... regardless of species, having a dbh of 20 centimetres or more; also nesting trees and municipal land trees 2026-08-28
Lantzville
District Municipality		 District of Lantzville Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 358, 2023
adopted 2024-06-26		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: trunk greater than 20 centimetres in diameter measured at a breast height of 1.4 metres 2026-08-28
Lions Bay
Village		 Trees, Views and Landscapes Bylaw No. 393, 2007
adopted 2007-09-20		 permit required: True · applies to private property: False · protected threshold: any woody plant of any species where the diameter of the trunk when measured 1.4 metres above natural grade is greater than 20 centimetres, or in the case of Arbutus (Arbutus menziesii), Pacific Dogwood (Cornus nuttallii), and Western Yew (Taxus brevifolia) trees, where the diameter of the trunk when measured 1.4 metres above level grade is greater than 10 centimetres 2026-08-28
Maple Ridge
City		 Maple Ridge Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 8045-2026
adopted 2026-05-12		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: DBH >= 20cm, stump > 25cm; any size on City Property, Riparian/Conservation Areas, covenanted, nesting, or Significant Trees (DBH >= 60cm) 2026-08-28
Mission
City		 Tree Management Bylaw 3872-2006
adopted 2006-07-04		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: any tree having a diameter of at least 20 centimetres (7.87 inches) measured from a height of 150 centimetres (59.05 inches) above ground elevation 2026-08-28
Nanaimo
City		 Management and Protection of Trees Bylaw 2013 No. 7126 (Consolidated)
adopted 2013-12-02		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: "Tree"... "six (6) cm or more"... "4.5 m or greater". "Protected tree": City, Significant (Schedules A, B, C), DPA, covenant, retained, scientific. 2026-08-28
Nelson
City		 Municipal Tree Bylaw No. 3232, 2012
adopted 2012-06-11		 — 2026-08-28
New Westminster
City		 Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw No. 7799, 2016
adopted 2016-01-13		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: DBH 20cm+ (any species except hedge); any size on City land; hedge 5m+ 2026-08-28
North Saanich
District Municipality		 Tree Protection Bylaw No. 1548, 2022
adopted 2022-10-03		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: Tree: DBH 20 centimetres (8 inches)+ (10cm in DPA); Protected Species: DBH 10 centimetres+; Significant Tree: DBH 60 cm (24 inches)+; District Tree: any size 2026-08-28
North Vancouver
City		 Tree Bylaw, 2022, No. 8888 (Consolidated to Dec 8, 2025)
adopted 2022-03-28		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: DBH of 20 centimetres or more 2026-08-28
North Vancouver
District Municipality		 Dangerous Trees Bylaw 5679
+1 more
adopted 1984-02-13		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: Protected trees include: trees on District land, within protected areas, on steep slopes, replacement/covenant/heritage/wildlife/old growth trees, on wetland or waterfront, within specified DP Areas, or of species: Arbutus, Garry Oak, Oregon Ash, Pacific Yew, Western White Pine, Yellow-cedar. Large-diameter trees: DBH ≥ 75 cm. 2026-08-28
Oak Bay
District Municipality		 Tree Protection Bylaw No. 4742
adopted 2020-03-09		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: Species (Garry oak, etc.) >4cm basal diameter or >1m height; any tree >30cm DBH; significant, replacement, retained, canopy, covenant, nesting, scientific value, or municipal trees. 2026-08-28
Parksville
City		 Tree Management Bylaw No. 1484 (2012, consolidated)
adopted 2012-09-17		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: Diameter... greater than 50 centimetres (20inches)... Specifically excludes all Populus sp. and Alder trees 2026-08-28
Peachland
District Municipality		 Tree Protection Bylaw No. 2404, 2023 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: DBH > 75 cm; specific species (Arbutus, etc.) DBH > 20 cm; replacement/retained/heritage trees; Watercourse/Foreshore Areas; bird nests/wildlife habitat 2026-08-28
Penticton
City		 Municipal Properties Tree Bylaw No. 2001-26
adopted 2001-05-22		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · boulevard trees: Trees on streets near excavation shall be protected with fencing; no excavation within dripline without written permit. 2026-08-28
Pitt Meadows
City		 Interim Tree Management Bylaw No. 3035, 2026
adopted 2026-03-03		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: DBH of twenty (20) centimetres or greater; multiple stems combined DBH greater than twenty (20) centimetres; City owned, Replacement, or Retained Trees regardless of size 2026-08-28
Port Coquitlam
City		 Tree Bylaw, 2019, No. 4108
adopted 2019-02-26		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: diameter of at least 15 cm measured 1.4 metres above natural grade or a height of at least 5 metres; Significant Trees per Schedule 'A' 2026-08-28
Port Edward
District Municipality		 District of Port Edward Tree Protection Bylaw No. 374, 1995 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: Trees 2 meters or more in height on lots greater than 0.5 hectares in a designated Tree Protection Area 2026-08-28
Port Hardy
District Municipality		 District of Port Hardy Tree Protection Bylaw No. 24-2005
adopted 2005-10-11		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: Tree: one and one half (1.5) metres or more in height. Municipal lands: Softwood under twelve and one half (12.5) cm exempt. 2026-08-28
Port Moody
City		 City of Port Moody Tree Protection Bylaw, 2026, No. 3531
adopted 2026-03-10		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: Any tree DBH ≥30cm; specified species (Arbutus, Cascara, Pacific dogwood, Pacific yew, Shore pine, Western white pine) DBH ≥10cm; any tree DBH ≥10cm in Riparian Management Zone, Environmentally Sensitive Area, or on lot subject to Development Approval; Landmark/Legacy Trees; City Trees; Replacement Trees 2026-08-28
Powell River
City		 Consolidated Tree Protection Bylaw No. 2174, 2008
adopted 2008-05-13		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: DBH at least 20 cm (8 in) on parcels >= 1 hectare; any significant or wildlife tree; trees in Development Permit Areas or Riparian Areas 2026-08-28
Prince George
City		 Tree Protection Bylaw No. 6343, 1995 (Consolidated)
adopted 1995-04-03		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: any live standing woody plant which is 1.5 meters or more in height or has a trunk diameter of at least 3 centimeters, and capable of growing to a height of 10 meters or more 2026-08-28
Qualicum Beach
Town		 Tree Protection Bylaw No. 725, 2023
adopted 2023-03-24		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: 9 species (e.g. Arbutus, Garry Oak) >=5cm diameter/50cm height; any Tree DBH >=30cm; Replacement Trees; Trees in Development Permit Areas; Nesting trees 2026-08-28
Revelstoke
City		 Municipal Property Tree Bylaw No. 1792 (Consolidated)
adopted 2005-06-27		 permit required: True · applies to private property: False · boulevard trees: Signs on private property must not interfere with boulevard trees. 2026-08-28
Richmond
City		 Tree Protection Bylaw No. 8057 (Consolidated) permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: dbh of at least 20 centimetres and height of at least 4.5 metres; or any size in ESA/City land 2026-08-28
Rossland
City		 Tree Management Bylaw No. 2769, 2021
adopted 2021-09-20		 — 2026-08-28
Saanich
District Municipality		 Tree Protection Bylaw, 2014, No. 9272 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. 2026-08-28
Salmon Arm
City		 Tree Protection Bylaw No. 4637
adopted 2024-06-24		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: minimum trunk circumference of 30.0 centimetres (cm); Landscape Trees in Schedule "A" 2026-08-28
Sechelt
District Municipality		 Parks Tree Protection Bylaw No. 436, 2005
adopted 2005-04-20		 applies to private property: False · protected threshold: 3 metres (9.84ft) or more in height, or 10 centimetres (3.9 inches) dbh or more; includes slow growing species · replacement required: may be required to: Plant a replacement tree or trees 2026-08-28
Sidney
Town		 Tree Preservation Bylaw No. 2138
adopted 2017-07-10		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: Protected Species (height 1.2m+ or Diameter 3cm+) or Diameter >60cm 2026-08-28
Smithers
Town		 Tree Preservation Bylaw No. 1365 (Consolidated to Jan 2020)
adopted 2001-02-28		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: Any tree having a diameter greater than 6 (2.4 inches) centimetres 2026-08-28
Sparwood
District Municipality		 Community Standards Bylaw 1194, 2018
adopted 2018-09-04		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · boulevard trees: Permission in writing from Director of Operations required to plant or remove trees or shrubs. 2026-08-28
Squamish
District Municipality		 District of Squamish Tree Management Bylaw No. 3229, 2026 - Schedule A: Tree Protection Barriers — 2026-08-28
Surrey
City		 Surrey Tree Protection Bylaw, 2006, No. 16100
adopted 2006-09-25		 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 2026-08-28
Tofino
District Municipality		 District of Tofino Significant Trees Bylaw No. 856, 2001 (Consolidated)
adopted 2001-10-15		 protected threshold: Trees designated in Schedule "A" (Western Red Cedar, Red Cedar, hemlock) · fines: up to $10,000 for each offence 2026-08-28
Trail
City		 Boulevard Regulation Bylaw No. 2151, 1990
adopted 1990-05-22		 permit required: True · protected threshold: Hawthorne, Pine Chestnut, Flowering Plum, Flowering Crab, Flowering Cherry, Everygreen Varieties, Lindon, Mountain Ash (on boulevards) · boulevard trees: Only permitted species may be planted. Owners cannot remove or prune without City permission. Location restrictions apply near sewers and intersections. 2026-08-28
Vernon
City		 Tree Protection Bylaw #4152 (Consolidated)
adopted 1996-03-18		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: stem of which exceeds eight (8) centimetres at one (1) metre above the average ground level of the base of the tree 2026-08-28
Victoria
City		 Tree Protection Bylaw No. 21-035
adopted 2021-03-18		 — 2026-08-28
View Royal
Town		 Tree Protection Bylaw No. 1069, 2022 (Consolidated)
adopted 2022-02-15		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: Listed species (e.g. Garry Oak); any Tree having a diameter greater than 20 centimeters D.B.H. 2026-08-28
Wells
District Municipality		 District of Wells Zoning Bylaw No. 26, 2000, Section 3.17 Tree Protection permit required: True · protected threshold: diameter of at least 10 centimetres when measured from a height of 15 centimetres above the natural grade of the land · replacement required: proposed replanting plan indicating location, species, size and number of trees, bushes and shrubs which are to be planted 2026-08-28
West Vancouver
District Municipality		 Tree Bylaw No. 4892, 2016
adopted 2016-04-20		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: Any tree > 75 cm DBH (or combined 75 cm); specific species (Arbutus, Garry Oak, Pacific yew, Pacific dogwood, Yellow cedar, Shore pine) > 20 cm DBH; replacement, retained, heritage trees; trees in Watercourse/Foreshore Protection Areas; trees with active nests or protected wildlife habitat. 2026-08-28
Whistler
Resort Municipality		 Tree Protection Bylaw No. 2435, 2025
adopted 2025-06-24		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: DBH of 15 cm or greater, or any size DBH if located within a Riparian Area 2026-08-28
White Rock
City		 Tree Protection Bylaw No. 2407 (consolidated)
adopted 2021-12-14		 permit required: True · applies to private property: True · protected threshold: DBH 20cm or greater; replacement tree any size; City-Owned Properties any size; nesting trees any size; Arbutus, Garry Oak, Pacific Dogwood any size 2026-08-28

Nothing on file for trees & tree removal

Absence here is explicit, not a gap: each municipality below was checked, and its status says why there is no document.

Other bylaws on file, none on this topic (89) — 100 Mile House, Armstrong, Ashcroft, Barriere, Bowen Island, Burns Lake, Cache Creek, Campbell River, Canal Flats, Castlegar, Chase, Chetwynd, Clearwater, Clinton, Cranbrook, Creston, Daajing Giids, Elkford, Enderby, Fernie, Fort St. James, Fort St. John, Fruitvale, Gold River, Golden, Grand Forks, Granisle, Greenwood, Hazelton, Hope, Houston, Hudson's Hope, Kaslo, Kelowna, Kent, Keremeos, Ladysmith, Lake Country, Lillooet, Logan Lake, Lumby, Lytton, Mackenzie, Masset, McBride, Merritt, Metchosin, Midway, Montrose, Nakusp, New Denver, New Hazelton, North Cowichan, Northern Rockies, Oliver, Osoyoos, Pemberton, Port Alberni, Port Alice, Port McNeill, Pouce Coupe, Prince Rupert, Princeton, Quesnel, Radium Hot Springs, Salmo, Sayward, Sicamous, Silverton, Slocan, Sooke, Spallumcheen, Stewart, Summerland, Sun Peaks, Tahsis, Taylor, Telkwa, Terrace, Tumbler Ridge, Ucluelet, Valemount, Vancouver, Vanderhoof, Warfield, West Kelowna, Williams Lake, Zeballos, shíshálh Nation.

No bylaws published online (1, verified negatives) — Port Clements.

Machine-readable: trees.json · Trees & tree removal across every jurisdiction · All British Columbia municipalities