Which Vancouver trees are protected from removal?

In Vancouver, trees on private property are protected under the City of Vancouver's Private Tree Bylaw (No. 9958), which prohibits removing any tree with a trunk diameter of 20 cm (about 8 inches) or more measured at 1.4 metres above grade — without a permit.

This applies to trees on private residential and commercial lots throughout the city. The bylaw is enforced by the City's Urban Forestry team, and violations can result in fines up to $10,000 per tree — so this isn't something to take lightly. Even if a tree is diseased, dead, or causing property damage, you still need to apply for a removal permit before touching it.

What Requires a Permit

Any tree meeting the 20 cm diameter threshold requires a permit for removal, topping, or significant pruning that could harm the tree's health. The application process involves submitting a tree removal application to the City of Vancouver (through their online portal or in person), and in many cases you'll need a certified arborist report supporting the removal. The City will assess whether the tree is hazardous, diseased, or whether removal is justified based on development plans. Permit fees typically run $35–$75 per tree, but the arborist report itself can cost $300–$600+.

If your removal is approved, the City almost always requires replacement planting — typically 1 to 3 trees depending on the size of what was removed, planted on your property or through a cash-in-lieu payment to the City's tree fund.

Heritage and Street Trees

Street trees (in the boulevard between the sidewalk and road) are City property and are never the homeowner's to remove — you must contact the City's Urban Forestry department at 311 for any concerns. Heritage-designated properties on the Vancouver Heritage Register may have additional restrictions on significant trees on the lot, especially if the tree is part of the heritage character of the property.

Other Metro Vancouver Municipalities

It's worth noting that each municipality has its own tree bylaw, and thresholds vary:

• Burnaby: Protected trees 20 cm DBH and larger
• Surrey: Trees 7.5 cm DBH and larger in some zones — one of the stricter bylaws in the region
• North Vancouver (City and District): 20 cm DBH threshold with similar permit requirements
• Richmond: 20 cm DBH, with special rules for trees near watercourses
• Coquitlam: 20 cm DBH on private property

If you're outside Vancouver proper, check with your local municipality before doing anything.

What You Should Do

Start by measuring your tree's diameter at chest height. If it's close to or over 20 cm, hire a certified arborist (ISA-certified) to assess the tree and prepare the necessary report for your permit application. A good arborist will know exactly what the City needs and can often streamline the process. If the tree is posing an immediate safety hazard — say, it's leaning dangerously after a storm — contact the City at 311 immediately, as emergency provisions exist for imminent hazards.

You can find ISA-certified arborists and tree service contractors in the Vancouver Construction Network directory to get started.