GovHandbook

Duncan tree removal rules and permits

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

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

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.

Key facts

When a permit is neededA 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).Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3135, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to October 21, 2024), s. 3 definition Protected Tree, s. 5.1.1, s. 2; Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 3226, 2024, OCP s. 5.6 DPA 3 Natural Hazards, application 1-2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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
The entire City is designated Development Permit Area 3
soil disturbance, cutting, trimming or removal of trees and other vegetation, and installation
ExemptionsNo 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.Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3135, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to October 21, 2024), s. 5.3.1, 5.4.1; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to August 24, 2026), Schedule on tree fees · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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:
Note: permit fee is waived for cutting or removing a Hazard
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.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to August 24, 2026), Fees and Charges Bylaw, D. Tree Cutting or Removal · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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
Replacement treesEach 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.Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3135, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to October 21, 2024), s. 7.2.1, 7.2.2, 7.2.7; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to August 24, 2026), Replacement Tree fee · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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
3. Tree Cutting/Removal Permit Amendment Fee $25.00 4. Replacement Tree $500.00 Note: To cover the costs of purchasing, planting and one
City treesNo 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.Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3135, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to October 21, 2024), s. 5.2, 3 City Lands; Boulevard and tree planting bylaw, Parks and Public Open Spaces Bylaw No. 3165, s. 3.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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
Destroy, damage, climb, break, remove or injure any tree, sapling, shrub,
FineBylaw 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.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, Schedule A - Tree Protection Bylaw; https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/37465/, Schedule B - Tree Protection Bylaw · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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
Cut or remove a Significant Tree without authorization
$1,000.00
Prune or top a Significant Tree without authorization
$500.00
BylawTree Protection Bylaw No. 3135, 2014 (consolidated to October 21, 2024)Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3135, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to October 21, 2024), Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3135, 2014

How it works

Under the City of Duncan's Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3135, 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

The same question in other places

North Cowichan · Ladysmith · North Saanich · Lake Cowichan · Sidney · Central Saanich

Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3135, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to October 21, 2024) (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to August 24, 2026) (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 3226, 2024 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  4. Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw (PDF), City of Duncan (read 2026-11-05)
  5. Boulevard and tree planting bylaw (PDF), City of Duncan (read 2026-11-05)
  6. Building Permits & Inspection (Development Services contact), City of Duncan (read 2026-11-05)
  7. 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. How answers are checked.