Lions Bay tree removal rules and permits
Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property in Lions Bay?
Short answer
In Lions Bay the Village's tree bylaw covers only trees on municipal land, where you need a Tree Cutting Permit. It does not apply on private land, where trees are the owner's responsibility under Village policy. Birds' nests are protected on all trees.
Key facts
| When a permit is needed | The Trees, Views and Landscapes Bylaw applies only to municipal land: no one may cut, prune or remove a tree on municipal land without a Tree Cutting Permit. On private land the bylaw does not apply; trees are the owner's responsibility under Village policy. 'Tree' means a trunk over 20 cm across (over 10 cm for Arbutus, Pacific Dogwood and Western Yew).Trees, Views and Landscapes Bylaw No. 393, 2007, s. 2 definition of Tree; s. 3.1, 3.3; Policy 1105, Tree Management on Private Land, Section 2 note · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThis Bylaw applies to all municipal lands within the Village. No person may cut, prune or remove a tree on municipal land without first having where the diameter of the trunk when measured 1.4 metres above natural grade is greater than 20 centimetres, or in the case Trees on private property are the responsibility of the land owner and do not fall within |
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| Exemptions | Exempt from the bylaw: removal or pruning of dead, diseased or damaged trees identified by a Certified Arborist or the Works Manager; emergency removal of hazardous trees; cutting brush and trees under 20 cm across on Village land between an owner's residential property line and the road; and cutting by the Village itself.Trees, Views and Landscapes Bylaw No. 393, 2007, s. 3.6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingRemoval or pruning by acceptable arboriculture practices of dead, diseased or Emergency removal by acceptable arboriculture practices of hazardous trees and Cutting or pruning of brush and trees under 20 centimetres in diameter Cutting of trees by the Village, through its employees, agents or contractors for |
| Fee | $75 non-refundable permit application fee (Fees Bylaw Schedule 2), plus a $500 damage deposit and $5,000,000 public liability insurance before the permit is issued.Fees Bylaw No. 497, 2016 (Consolidation BL665), Schedule 2; Trees, Views and Landscapes Bylaw No. 393, 2007, s. 3.4.9; Forms & Applications, Tree Cutting Permit entry · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingTree cutting permit application $75 an applicant shall provide a damage deposit of $500 public liability required to provide a $500 damage deposit and proof that the arbourist/contractor is in good standing with Work Safe BC |
| Replacement trees | The application includes a replanting plan 'if relevant' (location, species and size of replacement tree, bush or shrub). Where a tree is cut without a permit, the person must present a replacement plan and replace the trees at a minimum size approved by Council.Trees, Views and Landscapes Bylaw No. 393, 2007, s. 3.4.1.3, 3.9.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingIf relevant, a proposed replanting plan indicating: location, species Present a replacement plan for any trees that were cut in Ensure that replacement trees are of a minimum size approved by |
| City trees | Apply in writing to the Village Office with a photo, reasons and neighbour consultation. The Trees, Views and Landscapes Committee reviews it on site, and Council decides. Permits last one year. No cutting from March 26 to August 16 (bird nesting) except hazardous trees or a Council exception with a nesting survey. Significant Trees are cut only by special exemption.Trees, Views and Landscapes Bylaw No. 393, 2007, s. 3.4, 3.4.4, 3.4.5, 3.4.8 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingAn application in writing for a Tree Cutting Permit, appended as Schedule A, shall be requests by residents for the removal or cutting of any Significant Tree shall only be allowed by special exemption All Tree Cutting Permits are valid only for a period of one (1) year from the date no tree cutting may be carried out between March 26th and August 16th in any given year, unless: |
| Fine | Bylaw notice amounts: wilfully cutting or damaging the first non-Significant Tree $1,000, each later one $3,000; first Significant Tree $4,000, each later one $6,000; cutting in nesting season $475; cutting after the permit expired $400. These apply to municipal trees.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 385 (Consolidation 640), Schedule A, Trees, Views and Landscapes Bylaw No. 393, 2007 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingWilfully damage or cut the first non- $1000 $1000 $1000 YES Wilfully damage or cut the first Significant $4000 $4000 $4000 YES Tree cut without exemption during bird $475 $450 $500 NO Cut tree after expiry of permit $400 $350 $450 NO |
| Bylaw | Village of Lions Bay Trees, Views and Landscapes Bylaw No. 393, 2007 (municipal lands); Policy 1105, Tree Management on Private Land.Trees, Views and Landscapes Bylaw No. 393, 2007, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThis Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as “Village of Lions Bay Trees, Views and Landscapes Bylaw No. 393, 2007”. |
How it works
The Village of Lions Bay's Trees, Views and Landscapes Bylaw No. 393, 2007 applies only to municipal land. No one may cut, prune or remove a tree on municipal land without a Tree Cutting Permit. On private land the bylaw does not apply, and trees are the owner's responsibility under Policy 1105. A "tree" has a trunk over 20 cm across (over 10 cm for Arbutus, Pacific Dogwood and Western Yew).
Harming a bird nest is an offence under the provincial Wildlife Act on municipal and private trees, according to the Village.
Steps
For a tree on Village land:
- Apply in writing to the Village Office with a photo, your reasons and evidence of consulting neighbours. The application includes a replanting plan if relevant.
- The Trees, Views and Landscapes Committee reviews it on site, and Council decides.
- Pay the $75 fee. Before the permit is issued, provide the $500 damage deposit and $5,000,000 public liability insurance.
- Cut within the one-year permit.
Good to know
- No cutting from March 26 to August 16 (bird nesting), except hazardous trees or a Council exception with a nesting survey. Significant Trees are cut only by special exemption.
- Exempt from the bylaw: dead, diseased or damaged trees identified by a Certified Arborist or the Works Manager; emergency removal of hazardous trees; cutting brush and trees under 20 cm across on Village land between your residential property line and the road; and cutting by the Village.
- You pay for the arborist or professional contractor and any arborist evaluation.
- Bylaw notice amounts: wilfully cutting or damaging a first non-Significant Tree $1,000, each later one $3,000; a first Significant Tree $4,000, each later one $6,000; cutting in nesting season $475; cutting after the permit expired $400. Failing to replant as the permit requires is $400.
- If a tree is cut without a permit, the person must present a replacement plan and replace the trees at a minimum size Council approves.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
West Vancouver · Bowen Island · District of North Vancouver · North Vancouver · Gibsons · Squamish
Sources
- Trees, Views and Landscapes Bylaw No. 393, 2007 (PDF), Village of Lions Bay (read 2026-11-08)
- Policy 1105, Tree Management on Private Land (PDF), Village of Lions Bay (read 2026-11-08)
- Fees Bylaw No. 497, 2016 (Consolidation BL665) (PDF), Village of Lions Bay (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 385 (Consolidation 640) (PDF), Village of Lions Bay (read 2026-11-08)
- Forms & Applications, Village of Lions Bay (read 2026-11-08)
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.