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

# Duncan tree removal rules and permits

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

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Duncan, https://duncan.ca)  
**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:**
- Phone: City Hall, 250-746-6126
- In person: City Hall, 200 Craig Street, Duncan, BC V9L 1W3

## Key facts

- **When a permit is needed:** 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).
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3135, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to October 21, 2024), s. 3 definition Protected Tree, s. 5.1.1, s. 2](https://duncan.civicweb.net/filepro/document/159262/Tree%20Protection%20Bylaw%20No.%203135%20-%20Consolidated%20to%20October%2021,%202024.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 3226, 2024, OCP s. 5.6 DPA 3 Natural Hazards, application 1-2](https://duncan.civicweb.net/filepro/document/193540/Official%20Community%20Plan%20Bylaw%20No.%203226,%202024.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The entire City is designated Development Permit Area 3" … "soil disturbance, cutting, trimming or removal of trees and other vegetation, and installation"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Exemptions:** 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.
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3135, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to October 21, 2024), s. 5.3.1, 5.4.1](https://duncan.civicweb.net/filepro/document/159262/Tree%20Protection%20Bylaw%20No.%203135%20-%20Consolidated%20to%20October%2021,%202024.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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:"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to August 24, 2026), Schedule on tree fees](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181386)
  - Official wording: "Note: permit fee is waived for cutting or removing a Hazard"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** $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.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to August 24, 2026), Fees and Charges Bylaw, D. Tree Cutting or Removal](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181386)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Replacement trees:** 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.
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3135, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to October 21, 2024), s. 7.2.1, 7.2.2, 7.2.7](https://duncan.civicweb.net/filepro/document/159262/Tree%20Protection%20Bylaw%20No.%203135%20-%20Consolidated%20to%20October%2021,%202024.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to August 24, 2026), Replacement Tree fee](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181386)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **City trees:** 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.
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3135, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to October 21, 2024), s. 5.2, 3 City Lands](https://duncan.civicweb.net/filepro/document/159262/Tree%20Protection%20Bylaw%20No.%203135%20-%20Consolidated%20to%20October%2021,%202024.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Boulevard and tree planting bylaw, Parks and Public Open Spaces Bylaw No. 3165, s. 3.1](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/87490)
  - Official wording: "Destroy, damage, climb, break, remove or injure any tree, sapling, shrub,"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** 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.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, Schedule A - Tree Protection Bylaw](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181059)
  - Official wording: "TREE PROTECTION BYLAW NO. 3135, 2014" … "5.1.1" … "Cut, remove or move a Protected Tree without a" … "$375.00" … "$281.25" … "468.75"
  - Source: [https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/37465/, Schedule B - Tree Protection Bylaw](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/37465/)
  - Official wording: "Cut or remove a Significant Tree without authorization" … "$1,000.00" … "Prune or top a Significant Tree without authorization" … "$500.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3135, 2014 (consolidated to October 21, 2024)
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3135, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to October 21, 2024), Title](https://duncan.civicweb.net/filepro/document/159262/Tree%20Protection%20Bylaw%20No.%203135%20-%20Consolidated%20to%20October%2021,%202024.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3135, 2014"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under 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.

The 2024 Official Community Plan makes the whole City a Natural Hazards Development Permit Area, so confirm with the City before cutting any tree.

## Steps

1. Phone City Hall (250-746-6126) to confirm whether your tree is protected.
2. Fill in the Protected Tree Cutting-Removal Application and pay the fee.
3. Wait for the permit before cutting.
4. Plant the replacement trees the permit requires, or pay in lieu if the Director accepts it.

## Good to know

- 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.
- The bylaw also bars damaging roots within the drip line, topping, and removing over 25% of the live crown in 12 months.
- Cutting a Significant Tree needs Council permission.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.

## Official forms and pages

- [Protected Tree Cutting-Removal Application](https://duncan.ca/download/protected-tree-cutting-removal-permit-application/)
- [Significant Tree Cutting-Removal Application](https://duncan.ca/download/significant-tree-cutting-removal-permit-application/)
- [Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3135 (PDF)](https://duncan.civicweb.net/filepro/document/159262/Tree%20Protection%20Bylaw%20No.%203135%20-%20Consolidated%20to%20October%2021,%202024.pdf)

## Related questions

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

## The same question elsewhere

- [Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tree-removal.md)
- [North Cowichan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/tree-removal.md)
- [Ladysmith](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/tree-removal.md)
- [North Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/tree-removal.md)
- [Lake Cowichan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/tree-removal.md)
- [Sidney](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/tree-removal.md)
- [Central Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/tree-removal.md)

## Sources

- [Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3135, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to October 21, 2024)](https://duncan.civicweb.net/filepro/document/159262/Tree%20Protection%20Bylaw%20No.%203135%20-%20Consolidated%20to%20October%2021,%202024.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to August 24, 2026)](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181386) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 3226, 2024 (PDF)](https://duncan.civicweb.net/filepro/document/193540/Official%20Community%20Plan%20Bylaw%20No.%203226,%202024.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw (PDF), City of Duncan](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181059) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Boulevard and tree planting bylaw (PDF), City of Duncan](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/87490) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Permits & Inspection (Development Services contact), City of Duncan](https://duncan.ca/city-hall/planning-and-development/building-permits-inspection/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/37465/](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/37465/) (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 Duncan. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/tree-removal/_