Do I need a permit to cut down a tree?

Trees & tree removal — White Rock, British Columbia

In the City of White Rock, British Columbia, 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; replacement required: 2-6 trees based on DBH removed; $1,500 security per tree; cash-in-lieu allowed if impractical. Source: Tree Protection Bylaw No. 2407 (consolidated), verified 2026-08-28.

Tree Protection Bylaw No. 2407 (consolidated) adopted bylaw

permit required	True	Part 3, 1
applies to private property	True	Part 2, 2(a)
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	Part 1, Definitions "protected tree"
replacement required	2-6 trees based on DBH removed; $1,500 security per tree; cash-in-lieu allowed if impractical	Part 7, 8; Part 7, 9; Part 8, 9
boulevard trees	Trees on road rights-of-way are City-Owned Properties; residents require separate approval for trimming or removal.	Part 1, Definitions "City-Owned Properties"; Part 2, 4
fine range	not more than Ten Thousand ($10,000.00) Dollars or to imprisonment for not more than six months	Part 11, 3

scout note

Requires Tree Management Permits to cut, remove or damage protected trees, with tree replacement requirements and security posting for tree protection/maintenance.