{"title":"Esquimalt tree removal rules and permits","question":"Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property in Esquimalt?","slug":"tree-removal","place":{"path":"ca/bc/esquimalt","name":"Esquimalt","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":"Township of Esquimalt","url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca"},"short_answer":"In Esquimalt you need a Township permit to cut or prune a Protected Tree, which includes any tree 30 cm or more across and several native species at smaller sizes. The fee is $30 for the first three trees and $5 for each additional tree. Replacement trees are a permit condition.","aliases":["tree removal permit esquimalt","tree protection bylaw esquimalt","cut down tree esquimalt","garry oak esquimalt permit"],"cost":"$30 for the first three trees and $5 for each additional tree, non-refundable. Replacement trees and a security deposit are also required.","how_long":"Not stated by the Township.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Esquimalt Parks (trees)","value":"250-412-8508"},{"type":"email","label":"Esquimalt Parks (trees)","value":"trees@esquimalt.ca"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Tree Protection Bylaw, 2022, No. 3076 (PDF)","url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/tree-protection-bylaw-2022-no-3076"},{"title":"Trees and Urban Forestry, Township of Esquimalt","url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/parks/trees-urban-forestry"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Esquimalt building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/building-permit/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Esquimalt zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"bylaw-fines","title":"Esquimalt bylaw fines and how tickets work","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/bylaw-fines/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/view-royal","name":"View Royal","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/victoria","name":"Victoria","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/colwood","name":"Colwood","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/saanich","name":"Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/oak-bay","name":"Oak Bay","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/langford","name":"Langford","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/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 or prune a Protected Tree anywhere in the Township except on federal or provincial Crown land used by those governments. Protected trees include: native Douglas fir, grand fir and western red cedar at least 4 m tall; native arbutus, bigleaf maple, Garry oak, Pacific dogwood and Pacific yew with a trunk diameter (DBH) of at least 4 cm; any tree of any species with a DBH of 30 cm or more; wildlife trees, raptor, osprey or heron nest trees, replacement trees, trees on steep slopes and trees to be retained on a tree protection plan.","short":"Yes, for Protected Trees (30 cm DBH any tree)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/tree-protection-bylaw-2022-no-3076","title":"Tree Protection Bylaw, 2022, No. 3076 (PDF), Township of Esquimalt","section":"s. 3(1), 4(1); Sched. A Protected Tree","quotes":["No person shall Cut or Prune any Protected Tree, or cause, suffer or allow any","any native tree including Douglas Fir, Grand Fir and Western Red Cedar that has reached","any native tree including Arbutus, Big Leaf Maple, Garry Oak, Pacific Dogwood and Pacific Yew that has a DBH of at least 4 cm at 1.4 m above the ground;","any tree regardless of species having a DBH of 30 centimetres or more.","This Bylaw applies in relation to all land within the Township except where:"]},{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/parks/trees-urban-forestry","title":"Trees and Urban Forestry, Township of Esquimalt","section":"Trees & Urban Forestry page","quotes":["You will need a permit to cut, remove or alter a protected tree."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"exemptions":{"label":"Exemptions","value":"No permit for: a hazard tree, or a tree seriously damaged by natural causes and an immediate danger, if the owner reports it to the Director by the end of the next business day with written and photo reasons; hedges; pruning branches under 10 cm following ISA practices; a public utility's work on its own land; approved road and services work; Township work on its own land.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/tree-protection-bylaw-2022-no-3076","title":"Tree Protection Bylaw, 2022, No. 3076 (PDF), Township of Esquimalt","section":"s. 5(1)","quotes":["A Permit is not required for Cutting or Pruning in the following circumstances:","the tree is a Hazard Tree","by the end of the next business day after the Cutting or Pruning","for Cutting or Pruning a hedge;","pruning of branches that are less than 10 cm in size for any tree","by the Township or at the direction of the Township, in relation to a Protected","Hedge” means a row of two or more trees of consistent size and form planted in close proximity","by a public utility, in relation to a Protected Tree that is located on land"]},{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/parks/trees-urban-forestry","title":"Trees and Urban Forestry, Township of Esquimalt","section":"Trees & Urban Forestry page","quotes":["This includes trees which are dead, dying, or hazardous."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"},"sources_differ":"Conflict: the website says a permit is needed even for dead, dying or hazardous trees; the bylaw (s. 5(1)(a)) exempts a Hazard Tree if reported by the next business day. Bylaw followed. A Hazard Tree is one a Qualified Tree Risk Assessor has determined has a defect that significantly increases failure risk. No ALR exemption found in the bylaw."},"fee":{"label":"Fee","value":"$30 for the first three trees and $5 for each additional tree. Non-refundable. The fee can be waived where the Director issues a permit on a Certified Arborist report that the tree is a hazard, dead, or diseased or damaged.","short":"$30 for first three trees, $5 per extra tree","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/tree-protection-bylaw-2022-no-3076","title":"Tree Protection Bylaw, 2022, No. 3076 (PDF), Township of Esquimalt","section":"s. 6(1)(f); s. 8(2)","quotes":["payment of a non-refundable Permit fee in the amount of $30 for the first three trees and $5 for each additional tree proposed to be Cut or Pruned.","the Director may issue a Permit without requiring that an application, any additional information, or fee be submitted."]},{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/parks/trees-urban-forestry","title":"Trees and Urban Forestry, Township of Esquimalt","section":"Trees & Urban Forestry page","quotes":["Tree Cutting Permit Applications are subject to a non-refundable application fee of $30 for the first three trees and $5 per tree after that."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"replacement":{"label":"Replacement trees","value":"Replacement trees are a condition of a permit (other than for pruning). Number depends on species and size: for example arbutus, bigleaf maple, Garry oak, dogwood or yew with a DBH of 20 to 40 cm need 2 replacements; Douglas fir, cedar or grand fir over 12 m tall need 3; other species 30 to 45 cm need 1. The value of replacements is at least $300 per tree cut. A security deposit of 100% of replacement tree cost (including planting and one year of care) is required, held 12 months. If trees do not fit on the lot, the Director may require a payment to the Township's tree reserve instead.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/tree-protection-bylaw-2022-no-3076","title":"Tree Protection Bylaw, 2022, No. 3076 (PDF), Township of Esquimalt","section":"s. 9; s. 7(3)","quotes":["the Permit Holder must plant and maintain on each property from which a Protected Tree is Cut or damaged, Replacement Trees","such amount not to be less than $300 for each Protected Tree","100 percent of the value of all of the Replacement Trees, including the cost","of planting and maintaining such Replacement Trees for a period of one","to contribute an amount up to 100 percent of the value of any Protected"]},{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/parks/trees-urban-forestry","title":"Trees and Urban Forestry, Township of Esquimalt","section":"Trees & Urban Forestry page","quotes":["you are required to plant a replacement tree within the time specified on your Tree Cutting or Removal Permit."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"city_trees":{"label":"City trees","value":"The permit rules do not apply to the Township cutting trees on its own land. Report damaged park or boulevard trees to Esquimalt Parks at 250-412-8508 or trees@esquimalt.ca.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/tree-protection-bylaw-2022-no-3076","title":"Tree Protection Bylaw, 2022, No. 3076 (PDF), Township of Esquimalt","section":"s. 5(1)(g)","quotes":["by the Township or at the direction of the Township, in relation to a Protected Tree located on land owned by or in the possession of the Township."]},{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/parks/trees-urban-forestry","title":"Trees and Urban Forestry, Township of Esquimalt","section":"Trees & Urban Forestry page","quotes":["Damaged public trees (e.g., from a park or on a boulevard) can be reported to Esquimalt Parks at 250-412-8508","trees@esquimalt.ca"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw notice: $500 ($425 if paid early; no late amount) for cutting or pruning a Protected Tree without a permit. On conviction the bylaw allows a fine up to $10,000, and each tree is a separate offence.","short":"Notice $500 ($425 if paid early)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/2026-09-bylaw-2839-bylaw-notice-enforcement-consolidation","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2014, No. 2839 (PDF, consolidated), Township of Esquimalt","section":"Schedule P, s. 4.1(a)","quotes":["Cut or prune Protected Tree contrary to","4.1 (a)","$500.00 $425.00 N/A"]},{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/tree-protection-bylaw-2022-no-3076","title":"Tree Protection Bylaw, 2022, No. 3076 (PDF), Township of Esquimalt","section":"s. 13","quotes":["shall be liable upon conviction to a fine of not more than $10,000","A separate offence is committed for each Protected Tree that is Cut, Pruned or"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Tree Protection Bylaw, 2022, No. 3076","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/tree-protection-bylaw-2022-no-3076","title":"Tree Protection Bylaw, 2022, No. 3076 (PDF), Township of Esquimalt","section":"s. 1","quotes":["This Bylaw may be cited as the “Tree Protection Bylaw, 2022, No. 3076.”"]}],"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\nThe [Tree Protection Bylaw, 2022, No. 3076](https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/tree-protection-bylaw-2022-no-3076) requires a permit to cut or prune a Protected Tree anywhere in Esquimalt, except on federal or provincial Crown land used by those governments. Pruning here means branches over 10 cm.\n\nProtected trees include:\n\n- Native Douglas fir, grand fir and western red cedar at least 4 m tall.\n- Native arbutus, bigleaf maple, Garry oak, Pacific dogwood and Pacific yew with a trunk diameter (at breast height) of at least 4 cm.\n- Any tree of any species with a trunk diameter of 30 cm or more.\n- Wildlife trees, raptor, osprey or heron nest trees, replacement trees, trees on steep slopes and trees to be kept under a tree protection plan.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check whether your tree is protected, using the size and species above.\n2. Contact Esquimalt Parks at 250-412-8508 or trees@esquimalt.ca for the permit application.\n3. Pay the fee: $30 for the first three trees and $5 for each additional tree. It is non-refundable.\n4. Plan for replacement trees, which are a permit condition (except for pruning).\n\n## Good to know\n\n- No permit is needed for: a hazard tree, or a tree seriously damaged by natural causes and an immediate danger, if the owner reports it to the Director by the end of the next business day with written and photo reasons; hedges; pruning branches under 10 cm following ISA practices; and certain utility, road and Township work. The Township's web page says a permit is needed even for dead, dying or hazardous trees, so call before you cut.\n- Replacements depend on species and size. For example, an arbutus, bigleaf maple, Garry oak, dogwood or yew with a trunk of 20 to 40 cm needs 2; a Douglas fir, cedar or grand fir over 12 m tall needs 3. Replacements must be worth at least $300 per tree cut.\n- A security deposit of 100% of the replacement tree cost is held for 12 months. If the trees do not fit on the lot, the Director may require a payment to the Township's tree reserve.\n- The fee can be waived where the Director issues a permit on a Certified Arborist report that the tree is a hazard, dead, diseased or damaged.\n- Cutting or pruning a Protected Tree without a permit is a bylaw notice of $500 ($425 if paid early). On conviction the bylaw allows a fine up to $10,000, and each tree is a separate offence.\n- Report damaged park or boulevard trees to Esquimalt Parks.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/tree-protection-bylaw-2022-no-3076","title":"Tree Protection Bylaw, 2022, No. 3076 (PDF), Township of Esquimalt","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/parks/trees-urban-forestry","title":"Trees and Urban Forestry, Township of Esquimalt","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/2026-09-bylaw-2839-bylaw-notice-enforcement-consolidation","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2014, No. 2839 (PDF, consolidated), Township of Esquimalt","accessed":"2026-11-06"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-06","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/esquimalt/tree-removal/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/tree-removal.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/tree-removal.json"}}