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

# Langford tree removal rules and permits

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

**Short answer:** Usually yes. Langford's Tree Protection Bylaw protects any tree 20 cm or more in diameter (measured 1.4 m above the base), so you need a Tree Cutting Permit from the City's Parks Department. There is no fee to apply, but you pay for the arborist report and may post a deposit.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Langford, https://www.langford.ca)  
**Cost:** No fee to apply. You pay for the arborist report and other documents. A refundable deposit of $400 per replacement tree may be required.  
**Where:**
- Email: Parks Department (applications and questions), parks@langford.ca
- Phone: Parks Department, 250-478-7882

## Key facts

- **When a permit is needed:** A Tree Cutting Permit is needed for a protected tree anywhere in Langford: any tree 20 cm or more in diameter at 1.4 m above the base, trees planted as a requirement of a permit, trees on City land, trees under a covenant, and trees with raptor, osprey or heron nests. Removing a tree as part of development needs a Development Permit instead.
  - Source: [Langford Tree Protection Bylaw, Frequently Asked Questions, FAQ](https://langford.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Tree-Bylaw-FAQs.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Langford’s Tree Protection Bylaw applies to all areas of the City." … "A diameter of at least 20cm, measured 1.4m above the base" … "Located on City-owned or occupied land" … "Protected by a restrictive covenant in favor of the City"
  - Source: [Tree Removal, Private property](https://langford.ca/residents/resident-resources/tree-removal/)
  - Official wording: "If a property owner wishes to remove a tree or vegetation as part of a proposed development, then he or she must first obtain a Development Permit"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Exemptions:** Exempt: removal under the Railway Safety Act, Hydro and Power Authority Act, Oil and Gas Activities Act, Workers Compensation Act or Community Charter s. 50; by City employees; by BC land surveyors on duty; by a public utility on its own land; under a Development Permit; and regulated invasive species. A tree in imminent danger of falling may be cut without a permit if a permit is applied for the next business day with photos. Pruning is allowed under best arboriculture practices.
  - Source: [Langford Tree Protection Bylaw, Frequently Asked Questions, FAQ](https://langford.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Tree-Bylaw-FAQs.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Cutting or Removal of a Protected Tree by City employees, or their agents, during the" … "Cutting or Removal of a Protected Tree in accordance with a Development Permit" … "in imminent danger of falling or causing injury to a person or property" … "provided that a Tree Cutting Permit is" … "applied for on the next business day" … "Yes. Pruning can be conducted so long as it is"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** No fee to apply for a Tree Cutting Permit. The owner pays for the arborist report and other supporting documents, and may have to post a refundable security deposit for replacement trees.
  - Source: [Langford Tree Protection Bylaw, Frequently Asked Questions, FAQ](https://langford.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Tree-Bylaw-FAQs.pdf)
  - Official wording: "There is no fee associated with applying for a Tree Cutting Permit." … "you" … "may be required to submit a refundable security deposit"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Replacement trees:** A removed protected tree must be replaced. Refundable deposit of $400 per replacement tree; 50% is returned once the tree is planted and passes inspection, the rest a year after planting if the tree is healthy. Replacements must be at least 5 cm caliper (deciduous) or 2 m tall (evergreen).
  - Source: [Tree Removal, Private property](https://langford.ca/residents/resident-resources/tree-removal/)
  - Official wording: "If you remove a protected tree, you will be required to replace it. You will be required to provide a refundable deposit of $400 for each replacement tree required." … "Fifty percent of the deposit will be returned once the tree is planted and the full deposit will be returned a year after planting if the tree is still in good health."
  - Source: [Tree Cutting Permit Application, Tree Replacement Plan](https://langford.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Tree-Application.pdf)
  - Official wording: "a minimum of 5cm caliper diameter if a" … "deciduous species, or a minimum height of 2 meters tall if an evergreen"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **City trees:** The Parks Department authorizes removal of any tree on public property, including parks and boulevards. If unsure whether a tree is on your property, contact Parks (parks@langford.ca, 250-478-7882).
  - Source: [Tree Removal, Municipal property](https://langford.ca/residents/resident-resources/tree-removal/)
  - Official wording: "The City of Langford’s Parks Department is responsible for authorizing the removal of any tree on public property. This includes trees in any public space whether it is a park or boulevard."
  - Source: [Langford Tree Protection Bylaw, Frequently Asked Questions, FAQ](https://langford.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Tree-Bylaw-FAQs.pdf)
  - Official wording: "replacement trees as part of the Tree Protection Bylaw violation. City of Langford Parks Department T: 250.478.7882 2nd Floor, 877 Goldstream Avenue, Langford, BC, V9B 2X8 E: parks@langford.ca"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Tickets start at $1,000 per tree; each tree cut is a separate offence (City FAQ). The FAQ says the penalty can be increased to up to $10,000 per violation (or per tree). Replacement planting may also be required.
  - Source: [Langford Tree Protection Bylaw, Frequently Asked Questions, FAQ](https://langford.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Tree-Bylaw-FAQs.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Violations can result in a ticket issuance starting at $1,000 by Bylaw Enforcement O" … "can be increased to up to $10,000 per violation (or per tree)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Tree Protection Bylaw No. 2269
  - Source: [Tree Removal, intro](https://langford.ca/residents/resident-resources/tree-removal/)
  - Official wording: "The City of Langford controls the cutting of trees through Tree Protection Bylaw No.2269"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The City of Langford's Tree Protection Bylaw No. 2269 applies across the city. A Tree Cutting Permit is needed for any protected tree: a tree 20 cm or more in diameter at 1.4 m above the base, a tree planted as a requirement of a permit, trees on City land, trees under a covenant, and trees with raptor, osprey or heron nests. If you remove a tree as part of development, you need a Development Permit instead. Areas with steep slopes, streams or fire hazard have separate vegetation rules.

## Steps

1. Contact Parks (250-478-7882 or parks@langford.ca) with questions, including whether your tree is on your property.
2. Prepare the Tree Cutting Permit Application, an arborist report and the other supporting documents.
3. Submit them to the Parks Department.
4. If a replacement is required, plant the tree. The deposit is $400 per replacement tree. Half is returned once the tree is planted and passes inspection, and the rest a year after planting if the tree is healthy.

## Good to know

- Replacements must be at least 5 cm caliper (deciduous) or 2 m tall (evergreen).
- A tree in imminent danger of falling may be cut without a permit if you apply for a permit the next business day with photos.
- Pruning is allowed under best arboriculture practices.
- Exempt: removal by City employees, by a public utility on its own land, under a Development Permit, and regulated invasive species, among others set out in the FAQ.
- Trees on public property, including parks and boulevards, are authorized by the Parks Department.
- The City's FAQ says tickets start at $1,000 per tree, each tree cut is a separate offence, and the penalty can go up to $10,000. Replacement planting may also be required.

## Official forms and pages

- [Tree Cutting Permit Application (PDF)](https://langford.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Tree-Application.pdf)
- [Tree Protection Bylaw FAQs (PDF)](https://langford.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Tree-Bylaw-FAQs.pdf)
- [Tree Removal page](https://langford.ca/residents/resident-resources/tree-removal/)

## Related questions

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

## The same question elsewhere

- [Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tree-removal.md)
- [Highlands](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/tree-removal.md)
- [Colwood](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/tree-removal.md)
- [View Royal](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/tree-removal.md)
- [Esquimalt](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/tree-removal.md)
- [Metchosin](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/metchosin/tree-removal.md)
- [Sooke](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sooke/tree-removal.md)

## Sources

- [Tree Removal, City of Langford](https://langford.ca/residents/resident-resources/tree-removal/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Langford Tree Protection Bylaw, Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)](https://langford.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Tree-Bylaw-FAQs.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Tree Cutting Permit Application, City of Langford (PDF)](https://langford.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Tree-Application.pdf) (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 Langford. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/tree-removal/_