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

# Township of Langley tree removal rules and permits

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

**Short answer:** In the Township of Langley (not the City of Langley) you need a permit to cut or remove a protected tree: any tree 20 cm dbh or more, and any tree on Township land. The bylaw does not apply to ALR land. The application fee is $150. Cutting without a permit is a $500 bylaw notice per tree.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Township of Langley, https://www.tol.ca)  
**Cost:** Application fee $150 (non-refundable); none for dead, dying, diseased or imminent-failure trees. Permit fee $100 per tree for building, driveway or septic conflicts and inappropriate trees, plus cash-in-lieu where listed.  
**How long:** The Township does not state a processing time.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Permits, Licences and Inspections, 604-533-6018
- Phone: Bylaw Enforcement, 604-532-7551
- In person: Civic Facility (Municipal Hall), 20338 - 65 Avenue, Langley, BC V2Y 3J1 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (building permit applications accepted 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.))

## Key facts

- **When a permit is needed:** A permit is needed to cut or remove a protected tree: any tree 20 cm dbh or more, a replacement tree planted under development rules, a tree with certain nests, or any tree on Township land. The bylaw does not apply to ALR land, licensed tree farms or nurseries, or land with a development application.
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw 2019, No. 5478, s. 1 ("Protected Tree"); s. 5.1; s. 5.4](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Other-Bylaws/Tree-Protection-Bylaw-(No.-5478%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "having a dbh of 20 centimetres or more" … "A person must not cut or remove any protected tree, or cause, suffer or permit any" … "cut or remove a protected tree may be issued by the Municipality only in the" … "g) land that is currently designated as Agricultural Land Reserve as defined under the" … "h) land that is subject of a development application."
  - Source: [Tree Protection, Tree Protection page](https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/tree-protection.aspx)
  - Official wording: "The removal of protected trees is limited to the following situations:"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Exemptions:** Not covered: land in the ALR; licensed tree farms, nurseries and Christmas tree land; land subject to a development application; trees under 20 cm dbh. No permit for normal pruning, hedge pruning, or removals approved in a development permit, rezoning or subdivision.
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw 2019, No. 5478, s. 3; s. 6](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Other-Bylaws/Tree-Protection-Bylaw-(No.-5478%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "land that is currently designated as Agricultural Land Reserve as defined under the" … "h) land that is subject of a development application." … "h) the protected tree is less than 20 centimetres dbh." … "6.2. A permit is not required for the pruning of a hedge." … "a) a development permit, rezoning and/or subdivision has been approved which"
  - Source: [Tree Protection, Tree Protection page](https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/tree-protection.aspx)
  - Official wording: "Trimming or pruning of trees using sound horticultural and arboricultural practices, or hedges less than 10 metres in height."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** Application fee $150 (non-refundable); no application fee for imminent failure or dead, dying or diseased trees. Permit fee $100 per tree for building, driveway or septic conflicts and inappropriate trees. Building, driveway or septic conflicts also pay cash-in-lieu: $600 per tree (20 to 30 cm dbh) or $1,200 (over 30 cm).
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2007, No. 4616, Schedule 15 Tree Protection](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Fees-and-Charges-Bylaw-(No.-4616%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Protected tree cut or remove $150" … "Imminent Failure No Fee" … "Building Envelope, Driveway or 20 to 30cm dbh $600" … "Septic Field Conflicts greater than 30cm dbh $1,200" … "Building Envelope, Driveway or $100"
  - Source: [Tree Protection, Fees](https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/tree-protection.aspx)
  - Official wording: "All payment submitted by credit card will be charged a 2.2% credit card fee."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Replacement trees:** No replacement planting is required. For permits issued for building-envelope, septic field or driveway conflicts, a cash-in-lieu payment must be made; the Township uses it to plant trees on Township land.
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw 2019, No. 5478, s. 9.1](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Other-Bylaws/Tree-Protection-Bylaw-(No.-5478%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "it is required that a cash-in-lieu payment, as outlined in Fees and Charges Bylaw" … "shall be paid to the" … "date on a Municipally owned property, in a location designated by the Municipality."
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw 2019, No. 5478, Explanatory note, Bylaw 5838](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Other-Bylaws/Tree-Protection-Bylaw-(No.-5478%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "removing the" … "requirement for replacement trees by providing provisions for cash-in-lieu,"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **City trees:** Any tree on land owned or held by the Township is a protected tree regardless of size. Street trees in the road allowance in front of your property belong to the Township; residents must not prune or remove them.
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw 2019, No. 5478, s. 1 ("Protected Tree") d)](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Other-Bylaws/Tree-Protection-Bylaw-(No.-5478%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "any tree, regardless of height or dbh, where located on land that is in the" … "ownership or possession of the Municipality."
  - Source: [Municipal Trees, Municipal Trees page](https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/municipal-trees.aspx)
  - Official wording: "Street trees planted in the municipal road allowance fronting your property are owned by the Township of Langley." … "Unauthorized pruning/removal of municipal trees will be subject to penalties under Tree Protection Bylaw No. 5478."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice: $500 per tree for cutting or removing a protected tree without a valid permit (s. 5.1). Court: fine up to $10,000 per tree. Fees Schedule 15 adds charges, such as a $2,000 penalty per tree and a $200 site inspection fee.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2008, No. 4703, Tree Protection Bylaw schedule](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Other-Bylaws/Bylaw-Notice-Enforcement-Bylaw-2008-(No.-4703%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Cut or remove or cause suffer or permit any 5.1 $500"
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw 2019, No. 5478, s. 19.3](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Other-Bylaws/Tree-Protection-Bylaw-(No.-5478%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2007, No. 4616, Schedule 15](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Fees-and-Charges-Bylaw-(No.-4616%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Penalty for Removing a Tree $2,000" … "Site Inspection Fee when protected $200"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Tree Protection Bylaw 2019 No. 5478
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw 2019, No. 5478, title](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Other-Bylaws/Tree-Protection-Bylaw-(No.-5478%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "TREE PROTECTION BYLAW 2019 NO. 5478"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The Township of Langley (a separate municipality from the City of Langley) protects trees under its [Tree Protection Bylaw](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Other-Bylaws/Tree-Protection-Bylaw-(No.-5478).pdf). A permit is needed to cut or remove a protected tree: any tree 20 cm dbh (diameter at breast height) or more, a replacement tree planted under development rules, a tree with certain nests, or any tree on Township land. The bylaw does not apply to land in the Agricultural Land Reserve, licensed tree farms or nurseries, Christmas tree land, or land with a development application. Trees under 20 cm dbh are not covered.

No permit is needed for normal pruning, hedge pruning, or removals approved in a development permit, rezoning or subdivision.

Permits can be issued for these reasons: a hazard to a public utility; agricultural use on non-ALR land (arborist report, sworn declaration and a 10-year covenant); a dead, dying or diseased tree; imminent failure; a conflict with a building envelope, septic field or driveway; or a tree inappropriate for its size, species or location.

## Steps

1. Check whether your tree is protected and whether an exemption applies.
2. Apply through the Township (see the [tree protection page](https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/tree-protection.aspx)) and pay the application fee.
3. Do not cut until the permit is issued.

## Good to know

- Fees (before tax): application $150, non-refundable, with none for imminent-failure or dead, dying or diseased trees. Permit fee $100 per tree for building, driveway or septic conflicts and inappropriate trees. Building, driveway or septic conflicts also pay cash-in-lieu: $600 per tree (20 to 30 cm dbh) or $1,200 (over 30 cm), capped for building projects, and $100 for inappropriate trees. Renewal, extension or modification is $100 per tree.
- No replacement planting is required. The cash-in-lieu payment is used by the Township to plant trees on Township land.
- Any tree on land owned or held by the Township is protected regardless of size. Street trees in the road allowance in front of your property belong to the Township; do not prune or remove them.
- Nesting trees (raptors, osprey, pileated woodpecker, heron colony, hummingbird) are also protected.
- Fines: a bylaw notice is $500 per tree for cutting or removing a protected tree without a valid permit. In court, the fine can be up to $10,000 per tree. The fee schedule adds charges such as a $2,000 penalty per tree and a $200 site inspection fee.
- The Township page says the hedge exemption covers hedges under 10 metres in height; the bylaw says pruning a hedge needs no permit. Confirm with the Township.

## Official forms and pages

- [Tree Protection Bylaw 2019, No. 5478 (PDF)](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Other-Bylaws/Tree-Protection-Bylaw-(No.-5478%29.pdf)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2007, No. 4616 (PDF)](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Fees-and-Charges-Bylaw-(No.-4616%29.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Township of Langley building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/building-permit.md)
- [Township of Langley zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/zoning-lookup.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tree-removal.md)
- [Langley City](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley/tree-removal.md)
- [Surrey](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/tree-removal.md)
- [White Rock](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/tree-removal.md)
- [Maple Ridge](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/tree-removal.md)
- [Port Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/tree-removal.md)
- [Mission](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mission/tree-removal.md)

## Sources

- [Tree Protection Bylaw 2019, No. 5478 (PDF)](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Other-Bylaws/Tree-Protection-Bylaw-(No.-5478%29.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Tree Protection, Township of Langley](https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/tree-protection.aspx) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Municipal Trees, Township of Langley](https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/municipal-trees.aspx) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2007, No. 4616 (PDF)](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Fees-and-Charges-Bylaw-(No.-4616%29.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2008, No. 4703 (PDF)](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Other-Bylaws/Bylaw-Notice-Enforcement-Bylaw-2008-(No.-4703%29.pdf) (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 Langley. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/tree-removal/_