---
title: Burnaby tree removal rules and permits
question: "Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property?"
place: Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/burnaby
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Burnaby
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/tree-removal/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/tree-removal.json"
---

# Burnaby tree removal rules and permits

**Question:** Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property?

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Burnaby, https://www.burnaby.ca)  
**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.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Tree permits (private property), 604-294-7130
- Email: Tree Bylaw, treebylaw@burnaby.ca
- Phone: City trees (Treeline), 604-297-4500 (treeline@burnaby.ca)

## Key facts

- **When a permit is needed:** 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.
  - Source: [Burnaby Tree Bylaw 1996, No. 10482 (consolidated PDF, 2022.1), Tree Bylaw 1996, s. 2 "protected tree" and s. 3](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/10482CC.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Exemptions:** 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.
  - Source: [Burnaby Tree Bylaw 1996, No. 10482 (consolidated PDF, 2022.1), Tree Bylaw 1996, s. 4](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/10482CC.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** 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.
  - Source: [Burnaby Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw 14485, Schedules C2 and E11, Schedule E11 - Tree Bylaw](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/14485CC.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Burnaby Tree Bylaw 1996, No. 10482 (consolidated PDF, 2022.1), Tree Bylaw 1996, s. 5(1)(a)](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/10482CC.pdf)
  - Official wording: "payment of a non-refundable permit fee in the amount set forth in the" … "Burnaby Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Replacement trees:** 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.
  - Source: [Burnaby Tree Bylaw 1996, No. 10482 (consolidated PDF, 2022.1), Tree Bylaw 1996, s. 7 and s. 13](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/10482CC.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Burnaby Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw 14485, Schedules C2 and E11, Schedule E11 - Tree Bylaw](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/14485CC.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Tree Removal and Replacement, Tree Removal & Replacement page](https://www.burnaby.ca/services-and-payments/trees/tree-removal-and-replacement)
  - Official wording: "Replacement trees are required as a condition of all Tree Cutting Permits."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **City trees:** 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).
  - Source: [Tree Removal and Replacement, Tree Removal & Replacement page, "Contact us"](https://www.burnaby.ca/services-and-payments/trees/tree-removal-and-replacement)
  - Official wording: "Trees on City property / Tree service line | 604-297-4500 | treeline@burnaby.ca"
  - Source: [Burnaby Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw 14485, Schedules C2 and E11, Schedule C2 - Boulevard Tree Fees](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/14485CC.pdf)
  - Official wording: "BOULEVARD TREE PERMIT FEES" … "o North Burnaby $170.00" … "o North Burnaby Actual cost"
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2009, No. 12657 (consolidated PDF), Schedule A, Schedule A, Parks Regulation Bylaw 1979, s. 5](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/12657CC.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Damaging or destroying a tree or plant in a" … "park 200 160 NO"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** 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.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2009, No. 12657 (consolidated PDF), Schedule A, Schedule A, Burnaby Tree Bylaw 1996, s. 3](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/12657CC.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Damaging or cutting down a protected tree" … "without a valid tree cutting permit" … "500 400 YES"
  - Source: [Burnaby Tree Bylaw 1996, No. 10482 (consolidated PDF, 2022.1), Tree Bylaw 1996, s. 19 and s. 15](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/10482CC.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Burnaby Tree Bylaw 1996, Bylaw No. 10482
  - Source: [Burnaby Tree Bylaw 1996, No. 10482 (consolidated PDF, 2022.1), title page](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/10482CC.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Burnaby Tree Bylaw 1996 Bylaw No. 10482"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The [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.

- **No development application:** conifers 30.5 cm (12 in.) or wider and broadleaf trees 45.7 cm (18 in.) or wider.
- **With a development application:** any tree 20.3 cm (8 in.) or wider.
- Covenanted, streamside, replacement and retained trees are also protected.

No 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.

## Steps

1. Measure the trunk and check for active nests; the City asks owners to check from March 15 to August 15.
2. 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.
3. Pay the fee, $97 per tree (maximum $691) on a residential lot with no development application.
4. 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.

## Good to know

- On a residential lot with no development application, the Director may exempt replacement.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Work near streams may also need a Streamside Protection and Enhancement Development Permit.

## Official forms and pages

- [Tree Removal and Replacement](https://www.burnaby.ca/services-and-payments/trees/tree-removal-and-replacement)
- [Tree Bylaw 10482 (consolidated PDF)](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/10482CC.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Burnaby building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/building-permit.md)
- [Burnaby permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tree-removal.md)
- [New Westminster](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/tree-removal.md)
- [Richmond](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/tree-removal.md)
- [Port Moody](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/tree-removal.md)
- [Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/tree-removal.md)
- [Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/tree-removal.md)
- [Port Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/tree-removal.md)

## Sources

- [Burnaby Tree Bylaw 1996, No. 10482 (consolidated PDF, 2022.1)](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/10482CC.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Tree Removal and Replacement, City of Burnaby](https://www.burnaby.ca/services-and-payments/trees/tree-removal-and-replacement) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Burnaby Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw 14485 (PDF), Schedules C2 and E11](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/14485CC.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2009, No. 12657 (consolidated PDF), Schedule A](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/12657CC.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Burnaby. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/tree-removal/_