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

# Coquitlam tree removal rules and permits

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

**Short answer:** In Coquitlam, you can remove up to two protected trees per 12-month period without a permit. Protected means 20 cm or more across at 1.4 m high. More than two, or any removal on a lot with a creek, steep slope or covenant, needs a Tree Cutting Permit, starting at $71.50. Confirm with the City.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Coquitlam, https://www.coquitlam.ca)  
**Cost:** $71.50 for a basic application; $358 if supporting documents (such as an arborist report), planning or plan checking, or a City site visit is needed. Replacement tree security is $300 per tree.  
**Where:**
- Online: City Permits and Application Portal, https://applicationportal.coquitlam.ca/citizenportal/app/login
- Phone: Parks Customer Service, 604-927-6300

## Key facts

- **When a permit is needed:** Protected trees are living woody plants 20 cm or more across at 1.4 m high, plus replacement trees and trees planted as a development requirement. A permit is needed to remove more than two protected trees a year, and for any removal on properties with a riparian or Streamside Protection area, steep slope, protective covenant, or on Burian Drive or Latimer Avenue.
  - Source: [Tree Cutting Permit, Do I Need a Permit?](https://www.coquitlam.ca/558/Tree-Cutting-Permit)
  - Official wording: "A protected tree is any living woody plant that is 20 centimetres or more in diameter measured 1.4 m from the ground," … "You will require a permit if you wish to remove more than two protected trees per year." … "You will require a Tree Cutting Permit for all tree removals if your property has any of the following:" … "If your property is located on Burian Drive or Latimer Avenue" … "A protected tree is any living woody plant that is 20 centimetres or more in diameter measured 1.4 m from the ground, replacement tree or planted as a requirement of development."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Exemptions:** Up to two protected trees per 12-month period can be removed without a permit, except on properties with a riparian or Streamside Protection area, steep slope (over 36%) or covenant, or on Burian Drive or Latimer Avenue. Replacement trees and development-required trees are protected at any size. No hazard-tree or ALR exemption found in City pages.
  - Source: [Tree Cutting Permit, Do I Need a Permit?](https://www.coquitlam.ca/558/Tree-Cutting-Permit)
  - Official wording: "In most cases, the tree management bylaw allows private property owners to remove up to two trees of protected size per year from their property without a permit."
  - Source: [Tree FAQs, FAQ: Do I need a permit?](https://www.coquitlam.ca/m/faq?cat=73)
  - Official wording: "you can remove up to two trees of protected size (20cm or greater stem diameter measured 1.4 off the ground) per 12 month period"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** $71.50 for a basic application; $358 if supplemental documentation (such as an arborist report), planning or plan checking, or a City technician site visit is needed.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5484, 2025, Schedule E, Schedule E, Tree Management Fees](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6285879)
  - Official wording: "A Tree Cutting Permit where no supplemental documentation, $ 71.50" … "A Tree Cutting Permit where supplemental documentation, $ 358.00"
  - Source: [Tree Cutting Permit, Fees](https://www.coquitlam.ca/558/Tree-Cutting-Permit)
  - Official wording: "A Basic Tree Cutting permit application is $71.50."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Replacement trees:** Replacement trees may be required, based on lot size and the number of protected trees remaining. Security is $300 per replacement tree, paid at permit issuance; 90% is returned once trees are planted and pass inspection. Provincial standards apply in riparian areas.
  - Source: [Tree Cutting Permit, Tree Replacement Deposit](https://www.coquitlam.ca/558/Tree-Cutting-Permit)
  - Official wording: "Replacement trees are bonded at $300 per replacement tree." … "90-percent return once the trees are planted and pass an inspection." … "The two main factors include the size of your lot and the number of protected trees remaining after tree removal occurs." … "Provincial tree replacement standards apply for trees removed in riparian areas."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **City trees:** The City will not remove boulevard or greenbelt trees for nuisance (leaf drop, shade) and only removes City trees that are a public safety risk. Residents cannot prune City trees in separated boulevards and may be ticketed for damaging one.
  - Source: [Tree FAQs, FAQ: City tree on the boulevard](https://www.coquitlam.ca/m/faq?cat=73)
  - Official wording: "the City will not remove trees on City property unless they are a risk to public safety." … "Residents cannot prune these trees, and may receive a bylaw violation ticket if they choose to prune a City tree and damage it."
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5484, 2025, Schedule E](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6285879)
  - Official wording: "Boulevard Tree Replacement Fee"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Cutting without a permit: Bylaw notice $500 (no early-payment discount; 50% compliance-agreement discount where entered). Municipal ticket: $1,000.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3749, Tree Management Bylaw schedule](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6303017)
  - Official wording: "No permit 4 n/a 500 50%"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 4320, Schedule B-23](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6303001)
  - Official wording: "No permit 4 1000"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Tree Management Bylaw No. 4091, 2010
  - Source: [Tree Cutting Permit, intro](https://www.coquitlam.ca/558/Tree-Cutting-Permit)
  - Official wording: "Trees on private property are protected under the City of Coquitlam Tree Management Bylaw 4091, 2010."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Trees on private land in the City of Coquitlam are regulated by [Tree Management Bylaw 4091](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=891357). The bylaw is a scanned PDF with no readable text, so this answer comes from the City's web pages and fee and ticket schedules. Confirm details with the City.

Protected trees are living woody plants 20 cm or more across at 1.4 m high, plus replacement trees and trees planted as a development requirement. You can remove up to two protected trees per 12-month period without a permit. A permit is needed for more than two, and for any removal on a property with a riparian or Streamside Protection area, a steep slope (over 36%) or a protective covenant, or on Burian Drive or Latimer Avenue.

## Steps

1. Count the protected trees you plan to remove in a 12-month period, and check whether your lot has any of the features above.
2. If a permit is needed, apply through the City's Permits and Application Portal.
3. Pay the application fee. If replacement trees are required, pay $300 per tree at permit issuance; 90% is returned once the trees are planted and pass inspection.

## Good to know

- Replacement trees may be required, based on lot size and the number of protected trees remaining. Provincial standards apply in riparian areas.
- On steep slopes the City says trees cannot be removed unless an ISA certified arborist deems them hazardous.
- Cutting a tree without a permit: a bylaw notice is $500 (no early-payment discount) or a municipal ticket is $1,000.
- The City will not remove boulevard or greenbelt trees for nuisance such as leaf drop or shade, only for public safety risk. Residents cannot prune City trees in separated boulevards and may be ticketed for damaging one. Report hazardous City trees to Parks Customer Service, 604-927-6300.

## What you'll need

- Property owner authorization, if a contractor or manager applies
- Tree risk assessment from an ISA Certified Arborist, if the City asks for one

## Official forms and pages

- [Tree Cutting Permit page](https://www.coquitlam.ca/558/Tree-Cutting-Permit)
- [Tree Management Bylaw 4091 (PDF, scanned)](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=891357)

## Related questions

- [Coquitlam building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/building-permit.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tree-removal.md)
- [Port Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/tree-removal.md)
- [Port Moody](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/tree-removal.md)
- [Anmore](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/anmore/tree-removal.md)
- [New Westminster](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/tree-removal.md)
- [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/tree-removal.md)
- [Pitt Meadows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pitt-meadows/tree-removal.md)

## Sources

- [Tree Cutting Permit, City of Coquitlam](https://www.coquitlam.ca/558/Tree-Cutting-Permit) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Tree FAQs, City of Coquitlam](https://www.coquitlam.ca/m/faq?cat=73) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5484, 2025, Schedule E (PDF), City of Coquitlam](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6285879) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3749 (PDF), City of Coquitlam](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6303017) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 4320 (PDF), City of Coquitlam](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6303001) (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 Coquitlam. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/tree-removal/_