Langley City tree removal rules and permits

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

Langley City, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

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.

Key facts

When a permit is needed	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.Tree Protection and Management Bylaw 2025, No. 3321, ss. 2(23), 2(29), 4(1) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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.
Exemptions	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.Tree Protection and Management Bylaw 2025, No. 3321, ss. 3(1), 3(2), 5(1); Tree Protection and Management Bylaw, Quick answers · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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. 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.
Fee	$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.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2837, Amendment No. 38, 2026, No. 3327, Schedule 16 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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
Replacement trees	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.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)).Tree Protection and Management Bylaw 2025, No. 3321, s. 9(1), 9(2), 9(4); Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2837, Amendment No. 38, 2026, No. 3327, Schedule 16 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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 Tree replacement security $1,000 per tree Cash-in-lieu $1,000 per tree
City trees	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.Tree Protection and Management Bylaw, FAQ; Tree Protection and Management Bylaw 2025, No. 3321, ss. 2(8), 9(2) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording No, only Langley City can trim or remove a city tree. "City Tree" means any Tree on City-owned or occupied, property or property leased to the City.
Fine	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.Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw Amendment No. 22, 2026, No. 3328, Schedule B27; Tree Protection and Management Bylaw 2025, No. 3321, s. 13(4); Tree Protection and Management Bylaw, Penalty · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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 under this Bylaw, a person shall be liable to pay a fine of not less than $5,000. Unauthorized removal of a Protected Tree can lead to fines starting at $3,000 per tree.
Bylaw	Tree Protection and Management Bylaw, 2025, No. 3321Tree Protection and Management Bylaw 2025, No. 3321, Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Tree Protection and Management Bylaw, 2025, No. 3321

How it works

Under the Tree Protection and Management Bylaw, 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.

Steps

Measure the tree and check the City's online map for Environmentally Sensitive Areas.
If the tree is protected, fill in the Tree Permit Application and email it to engineering@langleycity.ca.
Wait for the permit before cutting.

Good to know

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.
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 you must send the City evidence of the emergency.
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.
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.
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.
The fee and ticket amendments are copies with blank adoption dates; confirm they are in force.
Federal and provincial laws, such as nesting bird protection, also apply.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Township of Langley · Surrey · White Rock · Port Coquitlam · Coquitlam · New Westminster

Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Tree Protection and Management Bylaw, City of Langley (read 2026-11-05)
Tree Protection and Management Bylaw 2025, No. 3321 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Tree Permit Application Form (PDF), City of Langley (read 2026-11-05)
Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2837, Amendment No. 38, 2026, No. 3327 (PDF), Schedule 16 (read 2026-11-05)
Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw Amendment No. 22, 2026, No. 3328 (PDF), Schedule B27 (read 2026-11-05)

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