{"title":"Duncan 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/duncan","name":"Duncan","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 Duncan","url":"https://duncan.ca"},"short_answer":"In the City of Duncan you need a permit to cut, remove or move a protected tree, which includes any tree 30 cm across or more, and trees in a Development Permit area. The 2024 OCP makes the whole City a natural hazards area, so confirm with the City before cutting any tree.","aliases":["tree cutting permit duncan","tree bylaw duncan","remove tree duncan bc","protected tree duncan"],"cost":"$50 application fee for a protected tree (waived for one protected tree per parcel in 12 months, and for hazard trees); $100 for a Significant Tree; $25 to amend a permit. Replacement security of $500 per replacement tree applies. Fine: a $375 bylaw notice.","how_long":"Not stated on the City's pages.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"City Hall","value":"250-746-6126"},{"type":"in_person","label":"City Hall","value":"200 Craig Street, Duncan, BC V9L 1W3"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Protected Tree Cutting-Removal Application","url":"https://duncan.ca/download/protected-tree-cutting-removal-permit-application/"},{"title":"Significant Tree Cutting-Removal Application","url":"https://duncan.ca/download/significant-tree-cutting-removal-permit-application/"},{"title":"Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3135 (PDF)","url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/filepro/document/159262/Tree%20Protection%20Bylaw%20No.%203135%20-%20Consolidated%20to%20October%2021,%202024.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Duncan building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/building-permit/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/north-cowichan","name":"North Cowichan","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/ladysmith","name":"Ladysmith","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/north-saanich","name":"North Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lake-cowichan","name":"Lake Cowichan","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/sidney","name":"Sidney","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/central-saanich","name":"Central Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/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 permit is needed to cut, remove or move a Protected Tree on any land in the City: arbutus, Garry oak, Pacific dogwood, Pacific yew (2 m tall or 7 cm thick); Douglas-fir, grand fir, bigleaf maple, western red cedar (20 cm DBH); any tree 30 cm DBH; Significant Trees; nest trees; trees in an Environmental or Hazard DPA (the OCP makes the whole City a Natural Hazards DPA, so confirm with the City).","short":"Yes, for Protected Trees (30 cm DBH any tree)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/filepro/document/159262/Tree%20Protection%20Bylaw%20No.%203135%20-%20Consolidated%20to%20October%2021,%202024.pdf","title":"Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3135, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to October 21, 2024)","section":"s. 3 definition Protected Tree, s. 5.1.1, s. 2","quotes":["This Bylaw applies to trees which are within the City of Duncan","A person must not cut or remove, or move any Protected Tree","Arbutus (Arbutus menziesii)","Garry Oak (Quercus garryana)","having a DBH of 20","any tree having a DBH that is 30 centimetres (12","any tree located within an Environmental or Hazard","Development Permit Area designated in the City of"]},{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/filepro/document/193540/Official%20Community%20Plan%20Bylaw%20No.%203226,%202024.pdf","title":"Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 3226, 2024 (PDF)","section":"OCP s. 5.6 DPA 3 Natural Hazards, application 1-2","quotes":["The entire City is designated Development Permit Area 3","soil disturbance, cutting, trimming or removal of trees and other vegetation, and installation"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"exemptions":{"label":"Exemptions","value":"No permit needed where: a Development Permit authorizes the removal (replacement tree fee paid first); removal is necessary to build within the building envelope under an approved Building Permit; approved roads or services; emergency removal of a storm-damaged tree in imminent danger; emergency personnel; City or utility work; normal pruning; hedge pruning. Hazard trees still need a permit, with no application fee; the City may require a tree risk assessor report.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/filepro/document/159262/Tree%20Protection%20Bylaw%20No.%203135%20-%20Consolidated%20to%20October%2021,%202024.pdf","title":"Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3135, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to October 21, 2024)","section":"s. 5.3.1, 5.4.1","quotes":["A permit is not required to cut or remove a Protected Tree where","A Development Permit that authorizes the removal of a","Protected Tree cutting or removal is located within","the building envelope of a parcel","must be cut or removed on an emergency basis because it has been severely damaged","normal pruning of","A permit is not required for the pruning of a hedge","where the tree cutting or removal is for a hazard tree,","If required by the Director:"]},{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181386","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to August 24, 2026)","section":"Schedule on tree fees","quotes":["Note: permit fee is waived for cutting or removing a Hazard"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee":{"label":"Fee","value":"$50 application fee to cut or remove a Protected Tree (waived for one protected tree per parcel in a 12-month period, and for hazard trees); $100 for a Significant Tree; $25 to amend a permit.","short":"$50 ($100 for a Significant Tree)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181386","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to August 24, 2026)","section":"Fees and Charges Bylaw, D. Tree Cutting or Removal","quotes":["D.          TREE CUTTING OR REMOVAL","$50.00","Note: permit fee is waived for one (1) protected tree, per","parcel, during a 12-month period","cut a Significant Tree","$100.00","Permit Amendment Fee","$25.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"replacement":{"label":"Replacement trees","value":"Each protected tree removed needs two replacement trees (up to about 50 protected trees per hectare); on a parcel that keeps a protected tree, three substitute trees may replace one; hazard trees need one. Security: $500 per replacement tree, $350 per substitute, maximum $10,000 per application. The Director may accept $500 per tree paid to the City instead.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/filepro/document/159262/Tree%20Protection%20Bylaw%20No.%203135%20-%20Consolidated%20to%20October%2021,%202024.pdf","title":"Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3135, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to October 21, 2024)","section":"s. 7.2.1, 7.2.2, 7.2.7","quotes":["each protected tree removed shall require two (2)","replacement trees","three (3) substitute","trees may be planted for every protected tree that is","$500 for each replacement tree","$350 for each substitute tree","maximum of $10,000 per application","may accept from the owner payment in an amount specified in the"]},{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181386","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to August 24, 2026)","section":"Replacement Tree fee","quotes":["3. Tree Cutting/Removal Permit Amendment Fee $25.00 4. Replacement Tree $500.00 Note: To cover the costs of purchasing, planting and one"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"city_trees":{"label":"City trees","value":"No one may plant a tree or hedge on City lands (parks, boulevards, road rights-of-way) without the Director of Public Works' written authorization. In a park, no one may destroy, damage, remove or injure any tree without City authority (Parks and Public Open Spaces Bylaw 3165, s. 3.1). Protected Trees anywhere need a permit.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/filepro/document/159262/Tree%20Protection%20Bylaw%20No.%203135%20-%20Consolidated%20to%20October%2021,%202024.pdf","title":"Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3135, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to October 21, 2024)","section":"s. 5.2, 3 City Lands","quotes":["A person shall not plant a tree or hedge on City lands or cause trees or","hedges to be planted on City lands without prior written authorization from","the Director"]},{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/87490","title":"Boulevard and tree planting bylaw (PDF), City of Duncan","section":"Parks and Public Open Spaces Bylaw No. 3165, s. 3.1","quotes":["Destroy, damage, climb, break, remove or injure any tree, sapling, shrub,"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw notice (Tree Protection s. 5.1.1, cut/remove/move a protected tree without a valid permit): $375 ($281.25 if paid within 14 days; $468.75 late). Municipal ticket: cut or remove a Significant Tree without authorization $1,000; prune or top one $500.","short":"Notice $375 ($281.25 if paid in 14 days)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181059","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw (PDF), City of Duncan","section":"Schedule A - Tree Protection Bylaw","quotes":["TREE PROTECTION BYLAW NO. 3135, 2014","5.1.1","Cut, remove or move a Protected Tree without a","$375.00","$281.25","468.75"]},{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/37465/","title":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/37465/","section":"Schedule B - Tree Protection Bylaw","quotes":["Cut or remove a Significant Tree without authorization","$1,000.00","Prune or top a Significant Tree without authorization","$500.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3135, 2014 (consolidated to October 21, 2024)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/filepro/document/159262/Tree%20Protection%20Bylaw%20No.%203135%20-%20Consolidated%20to%20October%2021,%202024.pdf","title":"Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3135, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to October 21, 2024)","section":"Title","quotes":["Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3135, 2014"]}],"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\nUnder the City of Duncan's [Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3135](https://duncan.civicweb.net/filepro/document/159262/Tree%20Protection%20Bylaw%20No.%203135%20-%20Consolidated%20to%20October%2021,%202024.pdf), you need a permit to cut, remove or move a protected tree on any land in the City. Protected trees are arbutus, Garry oak, Pacific dogwood and Pacific yew (2 m tall or 7 cm thick); Douglas-fir, grand fir, bigleaf maple and western red cedar (20 cm DBH); any tree 30 cm DBH; Significant Trees; nest trees; and trees in an Environmental or Hazard Development Permit Area.\n\nThe 2024 Official Community Plan makes the whole City a Natural Hazards Development Permit Area, so confirm with the City before cutting any tree.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Phone City Hall (250-746-6126) to confirm whether your tree is protected.\n2. Fill in the Protected Tree Cutting-Removal Application and pay the fee.\n3. Wait for the permit before cutting.\n4. Plant the replacement trees the permit requires, or pay in lieu if the Director accepts it.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Each protected tree removed needs two replacement trees. Security is $500 per replacement tree, to a maximum of $10,000 per application. The Director may accept $500 per tree paid to the City instead.\n- The bylaw also bars damaging roots within the drip line, topping, and removing over 25% of the live crown in 12 months.\n- Cutting a Significant Tree needs Council permission.\n- No permit is needed for normal pruning or hedge pruning, where a Development Permit or an approved Building Permit authorizes the removal, or for emergency removal of a storm-damaged tree in imminent danger. Hazard trees still need a permit, with no application fee, and the City may require a tree risk assessor report.\n- On City land such as parks and boulevards, no one may plant a tree or hedge without written authorization from the Director of Public Works, or damage or remove a park tree without City authority.\n- Cutting a protected tree without a permit is a $375 bylaw notice ($281.25 if paid within 14 days). Cutting a Significant Tree without authorization is a $1,000 municipal ticket.","sources":[{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/filepro/document/159262/Tree%20Protection%20Bylaw%20No.%203135%20-%20Consolidated%20to%20October%2021,%202024.pdf","title":"Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3135, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to October 21, 2024)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181386","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to August 24, 2026)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/filepro/document/193540/Official%20Community%20Plan%20Bylaw%20No.%203226,%202024.pdf","title":"Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 3226, 2024 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181059","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw (PDF), City of Duncan","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/87490","title":"Boulevard and tree planting bylaw (PDF), City of Duncan","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://duncan.ca/city-hall/planning-and-development/building-permits-inspection/","title":"Building Permits & Inspection (Development Services contact), City of Duncan","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/37465/","title":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/37465/","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/duncan/tree-removal/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/tree-removal.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/tree-removal.json"}}