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Delta tree removal rules and permits

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

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

Short answer

In the City of Delta you need a Tree Removal Permit to cut down a tree 20 cm or more across at 1.4 m above the ground. The fee is $100 for one tree in 24 months, or $100 plus $50 per tree for more. Replacement trees are usually required. Cutting without a permit can be ticketed.

Key facts

When a permit is neededA permit is needed to cut a tree (a woody plant 20 cm or more across at 1.4 m); damaging one is prohibited. The City may issue one for one tree per property in 24 months (not on steep slopes, streamside areas or in Sunshine Hills), one alder, cottonwood or poplar, or a dead, high-risk or damaging tree.Delta Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw No. 7969, as amended by Bylaw 8575, s. 2.1 'tree', s. 3.1(a)-(b), s. 4.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
the cutting of a tree unless there is a permit which authorizes cutting the tree;
has a trunk diameter of 20 centimetres or greater
only one tree would be cut on the property within a 24 month period
the tree is dead, is high or extreme risk as determined by a Certified Tree Risk
damage to any tree;
ExemptionsThe bylaw does not stop: activities on land in the Agricultural Land Reserve; cutting a tree severely damaged by a natural cause (qualified person's report given first) or a dangerous tree (photos and report, or other evidence); City work in parks and streets; pruning done to ANSI A300 standards without topping.Delta Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw No. 7969, as amended by Bylaw 8575, s. 3.2; Delta Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw No. 7969, as amended by Bylaw 8575, s. 2.1 'dangerous tree' · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
activities which impact trees on lands within the agricultural land reserve under
the cutting of a tree if all or part of that tree has been severely damaged by a
the pruning of a tree but only if:
"dangerous tree" means a tree when all or part of that tree is in imminent danger
Fee$100 for one tree in a 24-month period. More than one tree, or each 5 m of hedge: $100 plus $50 per tree. Sunshine Hills: one tree $100 plus $50; Significant Trees $200 plus $100 per tree for 1 to 4, $300 plus $150 per tree for 5 or more.Delta Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw No. 7969, as amended by Bylaw 8575, Schedule A, Fees; Trees, Trees page, Sunshine Hills · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
1. Application for cutting $100.00 $100.00
2. Application to cut $100.00 $100.00
plus $50.00 per plus $50.00 per
Application to cut one N/A $200.00
Application to cut five N/A $300.00
Tree removal permit application fee has doubled from $100 to $200, and the per-tree fee has doubled from $50 to $100;
1. Application for cutting of one tree within a 24-month period
2. Application to cut more than one tree within a 24-month period
3. Application to cut one to four Significant Trees
Replacement treesA plan is required for a tree 60 cm or more (50 cm in Sunshine Hills) or more than one tree in 24 months. None is needed for one smaller tree or one alder, cottonwood or poplar in 24 months; one large tree needs 1. Otherwise 2 trees (20-59 cm) or 3 (60 cm+) per tree. Security is $700 each.Delta Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw No. 7969, as amended by Bylaw 8575, s. 5.1, 5.5; Schedules A and B; Trees, Tree Replacement Requirements · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
The applicant for a permit must provide a replacement plan to the City if the permit
20-59 cm diameter tree 2 3*
60+ cm diameter tree 3 4*
6. Replacement tree $700.00 per $700.00 per
no replacement tree is required for the removal of one tree smaller than 60 cm diameter or an alder, cottonwood or poplar on a property in a 24 month period.
1 large diameter tree cut in 24 months
City treesDo not prune or remove trees on City property (parks, streets, boulevards); removing, pruning or damaging them is illegal and may be fined. To ask for pruning or removal, contact Engineering at 604-946-3260 or file an online service request.Trees, Trees page, Trees on City Property; Delta Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw No. 7969, as amended by Bylaw 8575, s. 3.2(e) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Removing, pruning or damaging trees on City property is illegal and may result in fines under Delta Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw.
please contact the Engineering Department at 604-946-3260
any activity which impacts trees in any City park, highway or other public place
FineCutting a tree without a permit: $1,000 under the Municipal Ticket Information bylaw; $500 under the Bylaw Notice Enforcement bylaw ($450 if paid within 14 days, $550 after 28 days). Court penalty up to $50,000 per offence.Delta Municipal Ticketing Information Bylaw No. 6639, Schedule 1, Schedule 1, Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw 7969; Delta Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 7009, 2011, Schedule A, Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw 7969; Delta Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw No. 7969, as amended by Bylaw 8575, s. 8.6, 8.7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
3.1 (a) Cut tree without permit 1,000
3.1 (a) Cut tree without permit 500 450 550
is liable to a penalty of up to fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) for each offence
BylawDelta Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw No. 7969, 2021, as amended by Bylaw No. 8575 (effective June 16, 2026)Delta Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw No. 7969, as amended by Bylaw 8575, s. 1.1; Trees, Trees page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Delta Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw No. 7969, 2021
On June 15, 2026, Delta Council passed Amendment Bylaw No. 8575

How it works

The City of Delta's Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw No. 7969 protects a "tree": a woody plant 20 cm or more across at 1.4 m. A permit is needed to cut one, and damaging one is prohibited. The bylaw also covers a tree under 1.4 m tall with a 30.5 cm base, hedges (each 5 m section counts as one tree), and activity inside a tree's drip line during building work.

The City may issue a permit for one tree per property in 24 months (not on steep slopes, streamside areas or in Sunshine Hills), one alder, cottonwood or poplar, or a dead, high-risk or damaging tree. A tree in a building, driveway or parking footprint, or with roots damaging utilities, can also be grounds.

Steps

  1. Confirm the tree is on your property, not the City boulevard. DeltaMap can help.
  2. Measure trunk diameter at 1.4 m above ground.
  3. Gather your photos or arborist report and any strata permission.
  4. Submit the online Tree Removal Permit Application and pay the fee.
  5. Display the permit where it can be seen from the street. Plant the replacement trees on your property; two inspections are needed to get your deposit back.

Good to know

  • Replacement plan: required for a tree 60 cm or more (50 cm in Sunshine Hills) or more than one tree in 24 months. None is needed for one smaller tree, or one alder, cottonwood or poplar, in 24 months. One large tree needs 1 replacement; otherwise 2 trees (20 to 59 cm) or 3 (60 cm or more) per tree cut. Security is $700 each.
  • Sunshine Hills: fees are $100 plus $50 for one tree; "Significant Trees" (70 cm or more of certain species) cost $200 plus $100 per tree for 1 to 4, and $300 plus $150 per tree for 5 or more. An arborist report is required.
  • Not stopped by the bylaw: land in the Agricultural Land Reserve; a tree severely damaged by a natural cause (qualified person's report first) or a dangerous tree (photos and report); City work in parks and streets; and pruning to ANSI A300 standards without topping.
  • Do not prune or remove trees on City property. To request it, contact Engineering at 604-946-3260 or file an online service request. The City does not support removal because a tree sheds debris, casts shade or lifts a fence.
  • Fines: cutting a tree without a permit is $1,000 on a municipal ticket and $500 on a bylaw notice ($450 if paid within 14 days, $550 after 28 days). A court penalty can reach $50,000 per offence.

What you'll need

  • Photo of the trunk diameter at 1.4 m, photo of the whole tree, and satellite photo marking its location (single tree)
  • Arborist report from an ISA-certified arborist for multiple trees, or a dead or dying tree
  • Written permission of the Strata Council, if a strata applies

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Richmond · Vancouver · Burnaby · White Rock · New Westminster · Surrey

Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Trees, City of Delta (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Delta Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw No. 7969, as amended by Bylaw 8575 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Delta Municipal Ticketing Information Bylaw No. 6639, Schedule 1 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  4. Delta Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 7009, 2011 (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. How answers are checked.