---
title: Esquimalt tree removal rules and permits
question: "Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property in Esquimalt?"
place: Esquimalt, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/esquimalt
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: Township of Esquimalt
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/tree-removal/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/tree-removal.json"
---

# Esquimalt tree removal rules and permits

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

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Township of Esquimalt, https://www.esquimalt.ca)  
**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:**
- Phone: Esquimalt Parks (trees), 250-412-8508
- Email: Esquimalt Parks (trees), trees@esquimalt.ca

## Key facts

- **When a permit is needed:** 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.
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw, 2022, No. 3076, s. 3(1), 4(1); Sched. A Protected Tree](https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/tree-protection-bylaw-2022-no-3076)
  - Official wording: "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:"
  - Source: [Trees and Urban Forestry, Trees & Urban Forestry page](https://www.esquimalt.ca/parks/trees-urban-forestry)
  - Official wording: "You will need a permit to cut, remove or alter a protected tree."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Exemptions:** 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. (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.)
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw, 2022, No. 3076, s. 5(1)](https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/tree-protection-bylaw-2022-no-3076)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Trees and Urban Forestry, Trees & Urban Forestry page](https://www.esquimalt.ca/parks/trees-urban-forestry)
  - Official wording: "This includes trees which are dead, dying, or hazardous."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** $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.
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw, 2022, No. 3076, s. 6(1)(f); s. 8(2)](https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/tree-protection-bylaw-2022-no-3076)
  - Official wording: "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."
  - Source: [Trees and Urban Forestry, Trees & Urban Forestry page](https://www.esquimalt.ca/parks/trees-urban-forestry)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Replacement trees:** 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.
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw, 2022, No. 3076, s. 9; s. 7(3)](https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/tree-protection-bylaw-2022-no-3076)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Trees and Urban Forestry, Trees & Urban Forestry page](https://www.esquimalt.ca/parks/trees-urban-forestry)
  - Official wording: "you are required to plant a replacement tree within the time specified on your Tree Cutting or Removal Permit."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **City trees:** 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.
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw, 2022, No. 3076, s. 5(1)(g)](https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/tree-protection-bylaw-2022-no-3076)
  - Official wording: "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."
  - Source: [Trees and Urban Forestry, Trees & Urban Forestry page](https://www.esquimalt.ca/parks/trees-urban-forestry)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** 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.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2014, No. 2839 (PDF, consolidated), Schedule P, s. 4.1(a)](https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/2026-09-bylaw-2839-bylaw-notice-enforcement-consolidation)
  - Official wording: "Cut or prune Protected Tree contrary to" … "4.1 (a)" … "$500.00 $425.00 N/A"
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw, 2022, No. 3076, s. 13](https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/tree-protection-bylaw-2022-no-3076)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Tree Protection Bylaw, 2022, No. 3076
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw, 2022, No. 3076, s. 1](https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/tree-protection-bylaw-2022-no-3076)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited as the “Tree Protection Bylaw, 2022, No. 3076.”"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The [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.

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 (at breast height) of at least 4 cm.
- Any tree of any species with a trunk diameter of 30 cm or more.
- Wildlife trees, raptor, osprey or heron nest trees, replacement trees, trees on steep slopes and trees to be kept under a tree protection plan.

## Steps

1. Check whether your tree is protected, using the size and species above.
2. Contact Esquimalt Parks at 250-412-8508 or trees@esquimalt.ca for the permit application.
3. Pay the fee: $30 for the first three trees and $5 for each additional tree. It is non-refundable.
4. Plan for replacement trees, which are a permit condition (except for pruning).

## Good to know

- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Report damaged park or boulevard trees to Esquimalt Parks.

## Official forms and pages

- [Tree Protection Bylaw, 2022, No. 3076 (PDF)](https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/tree-protection-bylaw-2022-no-3076)
- [Trees and Urban Forestry, Township of Esquimalt](https://www.esquimalt.ca/parks/trees-urban-forestry)

## Related questions

- [Esquimalt building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/building-permit.md)
- [Esquimalt zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Esquimalt bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/bylaw-fines.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tree-removal.md)
- [View Royal](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/tree-removal.md)
- [Victoria](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/tree-removal.md)
- [Colwood](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/tree-removal.md)
- [Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/tree-removal.md)
- [Oak Bay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/tree-removal.md)
- [Langford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/tree-removal.md)

## Sources

- [Tree Protection Bylaw, 2022, No. 3076 (PDF), Township of Esquimalt](https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/tree-protection-bylaw-2022-no-3076) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Trees and Urban Forestry, Township of Esquimalt](https://www.esquimalt.ca/parks/trees-urban-forestry) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2014, No. 2839 (PDF, consolidated), Township of Esquimalt](https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/2026-09-bylaw-2839-bylaw-notice-enforcement-consolidation) (read 2026-11-06)

_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 Township of Esquimalt. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/tree-removal/_