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Esquimalt tree removal rules and permits

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

Esquimalt, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

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.

Key facts

When a permit is neededA 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.Tree Protection Bylaw, 2022, No. 3076, s. 3(1), 4(1); Sched. A Protected Tree; Trees and Urban Forestry, Trees & Urban Forestry page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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:
You will need a permit to cut, remove or alter a protected tree.
ExemptionsNo 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.Tree Protection Bylaw, 2022, No. 3076, s. 5(1); Trees and Urban Forestry, Trees & Urban Forestry page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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
This includes trees which are dead, dying, or hazardous.
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.Tree Protection Bylaw, 2022, No. 3076, s. 6(1)(f); s. 8(2); Trees and Urban Forestry, Trees & Urban Forestry page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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.
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.
Replacement treesReplacement 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.Tree Protection Bylaw, 2022, No. 3076, s. 9; s. 7(3); Trees and Urban Forestry, Trees & Urban Forestry page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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
you are required to plant a replacement tree within the time specified on your Tree Cutting or Removal Permit.
City treesThe 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.Tree Protection Bylaw, 2022, No. 3076, s. 5(1)(g); Trees and Urban Forestry, Trees & Urban Forestry page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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.
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
FineBylaw 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.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2014, No. 2839 (PDF, consolidated), Schedule P, s. 4.1(a); Tree Protection Bylaw, 2022, No. 3076, s. 13 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Cut or prune Protected Tree contrary to
4.1 (a)
$500.00 $425.00 N/A
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
BylawTree Protection Bylaw, 2022, No. 3076Tree Protection Bylaw, 2022, No. 3076, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
This Bylaw may be cited as the “Tree Protection Bylaw, 2022, No. 3076.”

How it works

The 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

The same question in other places

View Royal · Victoria · Colwood · Saanich · Oak Bay · Langford

Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Tree Protection Bylaw, 2022, No. 3076 (PDF), Township of Esquimalt (read 2026-11-06)
  2. Trees and Urban Forestry, Township of Esquimalt (read 2026-11-06)
  3. Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2014, No. 2839 (PDF, consolidated), Township of Esquimalt (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. How answers are checked.