{"title":"Langley City tree removal rules and permits","question":"Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property?","slug":"tree-removal","place":{"path":"ca/bc/langley","name":"Langley City","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":"City of Langley","url":"https://www.langleycity.ca"},"short_answer":"In Langley City, you need a Tree Permit to cut, damage or remove a Protected Tree, including City trees, trees in sensitive areas, significant trees (75 cm across or more) and trees on lots with a development application. The ticket for cutting one without following the bylaw is $3,000.","aliases":["tree bylaw langley city","tree permit langley","cut down a tree langley bc","protected tree"],"cost":"$100 per application for a protected tree outside a development application; $300 if tied to a development application; $0 for a hazardous or dead tree or one causing imminent damage.","how_long":"The City asks for 3 to 5 days for an answer to a permit status enquiry.","where":[{"type":"online","label":"Tree Permit Application (PDF)","value":"https://www.langleycity.ca/media/file/2025-02-06-tree-bylaw-application-fillable-pdf"},{"type":"email","label":"Engineering Department","value":"engineering@langleycity.ca"},{"type":"phone","label":"Engineering Department","value":"604-514-2997"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Tree Protection and Management Bylaw 3321 (PDF)","url":"https://www.langleycity.ca/media/file/bylaw-3321-tree-bylawpdf"},{"title":"Tree Permit Application (PDF)","url":"https://www.langleycity.ca/media/file/2025-02-06-tree-bylaw-application-fillable-pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Langley City zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Langley City building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley/building-permit/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/langley-township","name":"Township of Langley","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/surrey","name":"Surrey","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/white-rock","name":"White Rock","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-coquitlam","name":"Port Coquitlam","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/coquitlam","name":"Coquitlam","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/new-westminster","name":"New Westminster","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/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 Tree Permit is needed to cut, damage or remove a Protected Tree: a City tree; a tree in an Environmentally Sensitive Area; a tree 20 cm DBH or more on a lot with a development application; a tree planted as a development condition or as a replacement; a significant tree (75 cm DBH or more); or a covenant-protected tree.","short":"Yes, for protected trees (20 cm DBH with development)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.langleycity.ca/media/file/bylaw-3321-tree-bylawpdf","title":"Tree Protection and Management Bylaw 2025, No. 3321 (PDF)","section":"ss. 2(23), 2(29), 4(1)","quotes":["No person shall Damage, Cut, or remove a Protected Tree or cause, suffer or","means a Tree that is:","a) a City Tree;","b) a Tree located in an Environmentally Sensitive Area;","c) a Tree of at least 20 centimetres DBH growing on a Lot that subject to a","d) a Tree planted as a condition of a Development Approval;","f) a Significant Tree; or","g) a Tree that is protected by a restrictive covenant in favour of the City.","“Significant Tree” means a Tree with a DBH of at least 75 centimetres."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"exemptions":{"label":"Exemptions","value":"No permit for pruning, an invasive-species tree, farm operations under the Farm Practices Protection Act, or work by the City, public utilities, or Canada, B.C. or Metro Vancouver on their own land. A tree in imminent danger of falling may be cut without a permit, but evidence of the emergency must be sent to the City.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.langleycity.ca/media/file/bylaw-3321-tree-bylawpdf","title":"Tree Protection and Management Bylaw 2025, No. 3321 (PDF)","section":"ss. 3(1), 3(2), 5(1)","quotes":["by the City or its agents during the discharge of their duties;","by the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, or Metro Vancouver on their own properties;","d) that is an Invasive Species;","e) that is necessary for the purposes of farm operations as defined in the","Farm Practices Protection Act; or","(2) A person may Prune a Protected Tree without a Tree Permit.","A person may Cut or remove a Protected Tree without a Tree Permit if the","Protected Tree is in imminent danger of falling and injuring persons or property."]},{"url":"https://www.langleycity.ca/city-hall/bylaws-policies/tree-bylaw","title":"Tree Protection and Management Bylaw, City of Langley","section":"Quick answers","quotes":["A permit is not required to trim a Protected Tree so long as the trimming is carried out in accordance with the most current ANSI standards and ISA Best Management Practices."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee":{"label":"Fee","value":"$100 per application for a protected tree outside a development application; $300 per application if it is related to a development application; $0 for a hazardous or dead tree (or one over 50% dead crown) or one causing imminent damage to property.","short":"$100 ($300 if related to a development application)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.langleycity.ca/media/file/fees-and-charges-bylaw-2010-no-2837-amendment-no-38-reg-jan-26-2026","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2837, Amendment No. 38, 2026, No. 3327 (PDF), Schedule 16","section":"Schedule 16","quotes":["All other protected tree(s) $100 per application","Protected tree(s) related to a Development $300 per application","Hazardous, dead, or where more than 50% of","its crown is dead, or causing imminent damage to property, structures, or utilities"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"replacement":{"label":"Replacement trees","value":"Replacement trees are required for every protected tree removed: 2 for a City tree; otherwise 2 (medium or large species) or 4 (small) per tree, and 3 or 6 for a significant tree; none for a hazardous tree. Replacement security or cash in lieu is $1,000 per tree.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.langleycity.ca/media/file/bylaw-3321-tree-bylawpdf","title":"Tree Protection and Management Bylaw 2025, No. 3321 (PDF)","section":"s. 9(1), 9(2), 9(4)","quotes":["Replacement Trees shall be required in accordance with this section for every","Protected Tree that is removed.","For each Protected Tree being removed that is a City Tree, two Replacement","Trees shall be planted.","Significant Tree 3 6"]},{"url":"https://www.langleycity.ca/media/file/fees-and-charges-bylaw-2010-no-2837-amendment-no-38-reg-jan-26-2026","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2837, Amendment No. 38, 2026, No. 3327 (PDF), Schedule 16","section":"Schedule 16","quotes":["Tree replacement security $1,000 per tree","Cash-in-lieu $1,000 per tree"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"},"sources_differ":"The City's tree page says homeowners who are not doing a development project 'have no financial or replacement obligations' when applying for a permit, which disagrees with bylaw s. 9(1); the bylaw is followed here, but staff should confirm. Replacement trees go on the same lot unless the Director accepts cash in lieu (s. 9(3), 9(5))."},"city_trees":{"label":"City trees","value":"Only the City can trim or remove a City tree (a tree on City-owned or occupied land). City trees are Protected Trees, and two replacement trees are planted for each one removed.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.langleycity.ca/city-hall/bylaws-policies/tree-bylaw","title":"Tree Protection and Management Bylaw, City of Langley","section":"FAQ","quotes":["No, only Langley City can trim or remove a city tree."]},{"url":"https://www.langleycity.ca/media/file/bylaw-3321-tree-bylawpdf","title":"Tree Protection and Management Bylaw 2025, No. 3321 (PDF)","section":"ss. 2(8), 9(2)","quotes":["\"City Tree\" means any Tree on City-owned or occupied, property or property","leased to the City."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Municipal ticket (Schedule B27, Bylaw 3328): $3,000 for cutting, damaging or removing a protected tree in conflict with a permit or the bylaw; the City's page says fines start at $3,000 per tree. A separate $100 ticket is listed for failing to obtain a Tree Permit. On conviction in court the fine is at least $5,000.","short":"Ticket $3,000","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.langleycity.ca/media/file/bylaw-3328-municipal-ticket-information-system-bylaw-2011-amendment-no-22-2026-no","title":"Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw Amendment No. 22, 2026, No. 3328 (PDF), Schedule B27","section":"Schedule B27","quotes":["Fail to obtain a Tree Permit to cut, damage or $100","Cut, damage or remove a Protected Tree in $3,000","Fail to obtain a Tree Permit to cut, damage or","Cut, damage or remove a Protected Tree in"]},{"url":"https://www.langleycity.ca/media/file/bylaw-3321-tree-bylawpdf","title":"Tree Protection and Management Bylaw 2025, No. 3321 (PDF)","section":"s. 13(4)","quotes":["under this Bylaw, a person shall be liable to pay a fine of not less than $5,000."]},{"url":"https://www.langleycity.ca/city-hall/bylaws-policies/tree-bylaw","title":"Tree Protection and Management Bylaw, City of Langley","section":"Penalty","quotes":["Unauthorized removal of a Protected Tree can lead to fines starting at $3,000 per tree."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Tree Protection and Management Bylaw, 2025, No. 3321","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.langleycity.ca/media/file/bylaw-3321-tree-bylawpdf","title":"Tree Protection and Management Bylaw 2025, No. 3321 (PDF)","section":"Title","quotes":["Tree Protection and Management Bylaw, 2025, No. 3321"]}],"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\nUnder the [Tree Protection and Management Bylaw](https://www.langleycity.ca/media/file/bylaw-3321-tree-bylawpdf), a Tree Permit is needed to cut, damage or remove a Protected Tree. That means a City tree; a tree in an Environmentally Sensitive Area; a tree 20 cm across at breast height (DBH) or more on a lot with a development application; a tree planted as a development condition or as a replacement; a significant tree (75 cm DBH or more); or a covenant-protected tree. Measure DBH 1.4 metres up the trunk. Permits may only be issued for a dead tree, a hazardous tree (arborist report), compliance with another bylaw, or damage to a building.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Measure the tree and check the City's online map for Environmentally Sensitive Areas.\n2. If the tree is protected, fill in the Tree Permit Application and email it to engineering@langleycity.ca.\n3. Wait for the permit before cutting.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Fines: a municipal ticket is $3,000 for cutting, damaging or removing a protected tree in conflict with a permit or the bylaw. A separate $100 ticket is listed for failing to obtain a Tree Permit. On conviction in court the fine is at least $5,000. The City's page also says fines start at $3,000 per tree.\n- No permit for pruning, an invasive-species tree, farm operations under the Farm Practices Protection Act, or work by the City, public utilities, or Canada, B.C. or Metro Vancouver on their own land.\n- A tree in imminent danger of falling may be cut without a permit, but you must send the City evidence of the emergency.\n- Replacement trees are required for every protected tree removed: 2 for a City tree; otherwise 2 (medium or large species) or 4 (small) per tree, and 3 or 6 for a significant tree; none for a hazardous tree. Replacement security or cash in lieu is $1,000 per tree.\n- The City's page says homeowners not doing a development project have no financial or replacement obligations, but the bylaw says replacements are required. Confirm with Engineering.\n- Only the City can trim or remove a City tree, a tree on City-owned or occupied land. Two replacement trees are planted for each one removed.\n- The fee and ticket amendments are copies with blank adoption dates; confirm they are in force.\n- Federal and provincial laws, such as nesting bird protection, also apply.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.langleycity.ca/city-hall/bylaws-policies/tree-bylaw","title":"Tree Protection and Management Bylaw, City of Langley","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.langleycity.ca/media/file/bylaw-3321-tree-bylawpdf","title":"Tree Protection and Management Bylaw 2025, No. 3321 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.langleycity.ca/media/file/2025-02-06-tree-bylaw-application-fillable-pdf","title":"Tree Permit Application Form (PDF), City of Langley","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.langleycity.ca/media/file/fees-and-charges-bylaw-2010-no-2837-amendment-no-38-reg-jan-26-2026","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2837, Amendment No. 38, 2026, No. 3327 (PDF), Schedule 16","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.langleycity.ca/media/file/bylaw-3328-municipal-ticket-information-system-bylaw-2011-amendment-no-22-2026-no","title":"Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw Amendment No. 22, 2026, No. 3328 (PDF), Schedule B27","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","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/langley/tree-removal/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley/tree-removal.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley/tree-removal.json"}}