Burnaby tree removal rules and permits

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

Burnaby, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

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.

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

How it works

The Tree Bylaw 1996 (No. 10482) 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

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

The same question in other places

New Westminster · Richmond · Port Moody · Vancouver · Coquitlam · Port Coquitlam

Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Burnaby Tree Bylaw 1996, No. 10482 (consolidated PDF, 2022.1) (read 2026-11-05)
Tree Removal and Replacement, City of Burnaby (read 2026-11-05)
Burnaby Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw 14485 (PDF), Schedules C2 and E11 (read 2026-11-05)
Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2009, No. 12657 (consolidated PDF), Schedule A (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. How answers are checked.