{"title":"Burnaby tree removal rules and permits","question":"Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property?","slug":"tree-removal","place":{"path":"ca/bc/burnaby","name":"Burnaby","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"building-and-renovating","name":"Building, renovating and your property"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"City of Burnaby","url":"https://www.burnaby.ca"},"short_answer":"In Burnaby, usually yes for a large tree. A City tree cutting permit is required to cut a protected tree: with no development application, a conifer 30.5 cm (12 in.) or wider or a broadleaf tree 45.7 cm (18 in.) or wider. The fee is $97 per tree, and replacement trees are normally required.","aliases":["tree cutting permit burnaby","tree bylaw burnaby","remove tree burnaby","protected tree burnaby","replacement trees burnaby"],"cost":"$97 per tree, maximum $691, on a residential lot with no development application ($207 per tree, maximum $1,380, if one is pending). Non-refundable. Replacement tree security is the greater of $1,500 or 120% of the trees' cost.","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Tree permits (private property)","value":"604-294-7130"},{"type":"email","label":"Tree Bylaw","value":"treebylaw@burnaby.ca"},{"type":"phone","label":"City trees (Treeline)","value":"604-297-4500","note":"treeline@burnaby.ca"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Tree Removal and Replacement","url":"https://www.burnaby.ca/services-and-payments/trees/tree-removal-and-replacement"},{"title":"Tree Bylaw 10482 (consolidated PDF)","url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/10482CC.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Burnaby building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/building-permit/"},{"slug":"deck-shed-garage-permit","title":"Burnaby permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/deck-shed-garage-permit/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/new-westminster","name":"New Westminster","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/richmond","name":"Richmond","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-moody","name":"Port Moody","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/vancouver","name":"Vancouver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/coquitlam","name":"Coquitlam","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-coquitlam","name":"Port Coquitlam","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/tree-removal/"}],"topic":{"title":"Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tree-removal/"},"facts":{"permit_needed":{"label":"When a permit is needed","value":"A tree cutting permit is needed to cut down or damage a protected tree. With no development application: conifers 30.5 cm (12 in.) or wider and broadleaf trees 45.7 cm (18 in.) or wider, measured 1.3 m above ground. With a development application: any tree 20.3 cm (8 in.) or wider. Covenanted, streamside, replacement and retained trees are also protected.","short":"Yes, for conifers 30.5 cm or wider; broadleaf 45.7 cm","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/10482CC.pdf","title":"Burnaby Tree Bylaw 1996, No. 10482 (consolidated PDF, 2022.1)","section":"Tree Bylaw 1996, s. 2 \"protected tree\" and s. 3","quotes":["in respect of a property for which a development application has","been made any tree the diameter of which is 20.3 cm (8 in.) or","any conifer tree the diameter of which is","30.5 cm (12 in.) or greater;","45.7 cm (18 in.) or greater;","a covenanted tree;","a tree within a streamside protection and enhancement area as","no person shall damage a protected tree and no person","shall cut down a protected tree unless that person holds a valid tree cutting permit.","measured 1.3m (4.265 ft.) above the ground level at the base of the tree;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"exemptions":{"label":"Exemptions","value":"No permit for: pruning done to accepted arboricultural practice; emergency removal of a tree so damaged or unstable it is in imminent danger of falling (tell the Director Planning immediately); City park tree work; and works for public roads and utilities. Trees below the protected sizes are not covered.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/10482CC.pdf","title":"Burnaby Tree Bylaw 1996, No. 10482 (consolidated PDF, 2022.1)","section":"Tree Bylaw 1996, s. 4","quotes":["A tree cutting permit is not required:","for pruning of protected trees in accordance with accepted arboricultural","for the emergency removal of a protected tree that has been so severely damaged,","in imminent danger of falling and injuring persons or","and the person who cuts down the tree immediately advises","the Director Planning of that action;","by the City to cut down a protected tree located in a City park or other public"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee":{"label":"Fee","value":"Residential lot, no development application: $97 per tree, maximum $691. With a development application pending: $207 per tree, maximum $1,380. The fee is non-refundable.","short":"$97 per tree, max $691 ($207 per tree with development)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/14485CC.pdf","title":"Burnaby Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw 14485 (PDF), Schedules C2 and E11","section":"Schedule E11 - Tree Bylaw","quotes":["Residential lot - no development applications","o Per tree $97.00","o Maximum $691.00","Residential lot - development application pending","o Per tree $207.00","o Maximum $1,380.00"]},{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/10482CC.pdf","title":"Burnaby Tree Bylaw 1996, No. 10482 (consolidated PDF, 2022.1)","section":"Tree Bylaw 1996, s. 5(1)(a)","quotes":["payment of a non-refundable permit fee in the amount set forth in the","Burnaby Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"replacement":{"label":"Replacement trees","value":"Replacement trees are planted on the same lot: 1 for a removed tree up to 30.5 cm wide, 2 for 30.5 to 61 cm, 3 for over 61 cm. On a residential lot with no development application, the Director may exempt this. Security is the greater of $1,500 or 120% of the trees' cost, held one year after planting. If planting is not feasible, $1,500 per tree goes to the Civic Tree Reserve Fund.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/10482CC.pdf","title":"Burnaby Tree Bylaw 1996, No. 10482 (consolidated PDF, 2022.1)","section":"Tree Bylaw 1996, s. 7 and s. 13","quotes":["up to and including 30.5 cm (12 in.) 1","over 61 cm (24 in.) 3","(i) the amount specified in the Burnaby Consolidated Fees and Charges","an amount equal to one hundred and twenty per cent of the cost of the","may be held by the City until the conditions in the tree cutting permit have been","the payment per tree specified in the Burnaby Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw.","section 13 in the case of a residential lot that is not the subject of a current"]},{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/14485CC.pdf","title":"Burnaby Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw 14485 (PDF), Schedules C2 and E11","section":"Schedule E11 - Tree Bylaw","quotes":["Minimum security for tree replacement - Section 7(a)(i)","o Minimum $1,500.00","Payment to civic tree reserve fund - Section 13(5)","o Per tree $1,500.00"]},{"url":"https://www.burnaby.ca/services-and-payments/trees/tree-removal-and-replacement","title":"Tree Removal and Replacement, City of Burnaby","section":"Tree Removal & Replacement page","quotes":["Replacement trees are required as a condition of all Tree Cutting Permits."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"city_trees":{"label":"City trees","value":"For City trees, call the Parks Forestry 'Treeline' at 604-297-4500 (treeline@burnaby.ca). A boulevard tree permit costs $170 for inspection and fencing; relocation, removal or planting is charged at actual cost. Damaging or destroying a tree in a park is a bylaw notice offence ($200).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.burnaby.ca/services-and-payments/trees/tree-removal-and-replacement","title":"Tree Removal and Replacement, City of Burnaby","section":"Tree Removal & Replacement page, \"Contact us\"","quotes":["Trees on City property / Tree service line | 604-297-4500 | treeline@burnaby.ca"]},{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/14485CC.pdf","title":"Burnaby Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw 14485 (PDF), Schedules C2 and E11","section":"Schedule C2 - Boulevard Tree Fees","quotes":["BOULEVARD TREE PERMIT FEES","o North Burnaby $170.00","o North Burnaby Actual cost"]},{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/12657CC.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2009, No. 12657 (consolidated PDF), Schedule A","section":"Schedule A, Parks Regulation Bylaw 1979, s. 5","quotes":["Damaging or destroying a tree or plant in a","park 200 160 NO"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw notice: $500 ($400 if paid within 15 days) for damaging or cutting down a protected tree without a valid permit. Court: $2,000 to $10,000 per violation on summary conviction. The City can also order replacement trees.","short":"Notice $500 ($400 if paid in 15 days)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/12657CC.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2009, No. 12657 (consolidated PDF), Schedule A","section":"Schedule A, Burnaby Tree Bylaw 1996, s. 3","quotes":["Damaging or cutting down a protected tree","without a valid tree cutting permit","500 400 YES"]},{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/10482CC.pdf","title":"Burnaby Tree Bylaw 1996, No. 10482 (consolidated PDF, 2022.1)","section":"Tree Bylaw 1996, s. 19 and s. 15","quotes":["is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction and is liable to a fine of not less than Two","Thousand ($2,000.00) Dollars and not more than Ten Thousand ($10,000.00) Dollars for","immediately plant one or more replacement trees in accordance"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Burnaby Tree Bylaw 1996, Bylaw No. 10482","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/10482CC.pdf","title":"Burnaby Tree Bylaw 1996, No. 10482 (consolidated PDF, 2022.1)","section":"title page","quotes":["Burnaby Tree Bylaw 1996 Bylaw No. 10482"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":7,"stated":7,"matched":7,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe [Tree Bylaw 1996 (No. 10482)](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/10482CC.pdf) applies city-wide, including private land. Size is measured 1.3 m above ground.\n\n- **No development application:** conifers 30.5 cm (12 in.) or wider and broadleaf trees 45.7 cm (18 in.) or wider.\n- **With a development application:** any tree 20.3 cm (8 in.) or wider.\n- Covenanted, streamside, replacement and retained trees are also protected.\n\nNo permit is needed for pruning done to accepted arboricultural practice, emergency removal of a tree in imminent danger of falling (tell the Director of Planning immediately), City park tree work, or works for public roads and utilities. A hazard tree that is not an emergency still needs a permit, with an arborist's written recommendation.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Measure the trunk and check for active nests; the City asks owners to check from March 15 to August 15.\n2. Contact the Tree Bylaw team (604-294-7130, treebylaw@burnaby.ca) to apply. The City's pages do not describe a stand-alone application form.\n3. Pay the fee, $97 per tree (maximum $691) on a residential lot with no development application.\n4. Plant replacement trees on the same lot: 1 for a removed tree up to 30.5 cm wide, 2 for 30.5 to 61 cm, 3 for over 61 cm. Conifers must be 2 m tall and broadleaf trees 5 cm in diameter.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- On a residential lot with no development application, the Director may exempt replacement.\n- Replacement security is the greater of $1,500 or 120% of the trees' cost, held one year after planting. If planting is not feasible, $1,500 per tree goes to the Civic Tree Reserve Fund.\n- Without a valid permit, a bylaw notice is $500 ($400 if paid within 15 days). A court can fine $2,000 to $10,000 per violation and order replacement trees.\n- For City trees, call Treeline at 604-297-4500. A boulevard tree permit costs $170; relocation, removal or planting is charged at actual cost. Damaging a park tree is a $200 bylaw notice.\n- Work near streams may also need a Streamside Protection and Enhancement Development Permit.","sources":[{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/10482CC.pdf","title":"Burnaby Tree Bylaw 1996, No. 10482 (consolidated PDF, 2022.1)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.burnaby.ca/services-and-payments/trees/tree-removal-and-replacement","title":"Tree Removal and Replacement, City of Burnaby","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/14485CC.pdf","title":"Burnaby Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw 14485 (PDF), Schedules C2 and E11","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/12657CC.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2009, No. 12657 (consolidated PDF), Schedule A","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/tree-removal/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/tree-removal.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/tree-removal.json"}}