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

# Maple Ridge tree removal rules and permits

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

**Short answer:** Usually yes. In Maple Ridge you need a City tree permit to cut, remove or prune more than a quarter of the live crown of a protected tree, which includes any tree 20 cm or more across at breast height. The residential fee is $70 for the first tree in a calendar year. Do not start until the permit is issued.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Maple Ridge, https://www.mapleridge.ca)  
**Cost:** Residential application fee $70 for the first tree per calendar year and $100 for each additional tree, plus taxes. Refundable security of $640 per replacement tree; cash in lieu $800 per tree if planting is not feasible.  
**How long:** The City does not publish a review time.  
**Where:**
- Email: Trees (Facilities, Parks and Properties), Trees@MapleRidge.ca
- Phone: Facilities, Parks and Properties, 604-467-7346

## Key facts

- **When a permit is needed:** A permit is needed to cut, remove or prune more than 1/4 of the live crown of any Protected Tree, on any property. Protected: any tree 20 cm DBH or larger, any tree on City property, Significant Trees (60 cm+), replacement trees, and trees of any size in riparian or conservation areas, under covenant, or with raptor, osprey or heron nests.
  - Source: [Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 8045-2026, s. 6.3; definition of Protected Tree](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/tree-protection-and-management-bylaw-no-8045-2026)
  - Official wording: "A Tree Permit is required to Cut or Remove a Protected Tree, including its roots, or to prune" … "any tree within the City of Maple Ridge with a DBH equal to or greater than 20 centimetres" … "any tree located on City Property;" … "a tree of any size located in a Riparian Area or Conservation Area;"
  - Source: [Bulletin, Residential Tree Cutting Permits](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/tree-bulletin-residential-tree-cutting-permits)
  - Official wording: "All trees 20 cm Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) or greater"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Exemptions:** No permit is needed if the tree is dead of natural causes (verified), is a storm-damaged hazard tree in imminent danger (arborist assessed; report within one business day), or fewer than 10 are removed on active-farm land as required for a designated farm use. ALR land is not otherwise exempt.
  - Source: [Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 8045-2026, s. 4.6, 4.3, 4.5](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/tree-protection-and-management-bylaw-no-8045-2026)
  - Official wording: "the Protected Tree is dead of natural causes as verified and documented by an Arborist" … "the person who Removes the tree reports it to the Manager within one business day" … "less than 10 Protected trees are being removed and the land is in Agricultural Use, with" … "This Bylaw does not apply to trees on property owned by either the Government of Canada" … "farm use described Agricultural Land Commission Act Regulation"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** Residential: $70 for the first tree per calendar year and $100 for each additional tree, plus taxes. Development stream: $300 base plus $100 per tree.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges (Consolidated) Bylaw No. 7575-2019, Schedule J](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/fees-charges-consolidated-bylaw-no-7575-2019)
  - Official wording: "Tree Permit Application Fee (Residential Stream)" … "For the first tree applied for removal from a lot (per tree, per calendar $70.00 year)" … "For each additional tree applied for removal from a lot per calendar year $100.00" … "Base fee for tree permits associated with a subdivision application," … "Fees will be effective June 30, 2026."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Replacement trees:** Replacement trees are planted on the lot: 2 for each tree of 20-39 cm DBH, 3 for 40-59 cm, 4 for 60 cm or more; only 1 if the permit covers a single tree in a calendar year. A refundable security of $640 per replacement tree is due before the permit is issued. Cash in lieu is $800 per tree if planting is not feasible.
  - Source: [Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 8045-2026, s. 8.5, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/tree-protection-and-management-bylaw-no-8045-2026)
  - Official wording: "Before permit issuance, the Applicant must provide a refundable security for Replacement" … "20 cm – 39 cm 2 trees" … "More than 60 cm (Significant tree) 4 trees" … "only one Protected Tree, only one Replacement Tree is required" … "the Applicant must pay cash in lieu for each required Replacement Tree not planted on the Lot"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges (Consolidated) Bylaw No. 7575-2019, Schedule J](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/fees-charges-consolidated-bylaw-no-7575-2019)
  - Official wording: "Replacement Tree Security Fee (per tree) $640.00" … "Cash-in-lieu of Replacement Tree (per tree) $800.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **City trees:** Street trees are City property, usually on the boulevard. They may not be cut, damaged or removed except by the City or its agents, and pruning must be done by the City. Report concerns to ParksOperations@MapleRidge.ca or 604-467-7346. RidgeView shows whether a tree is on City land.
  - Source: [Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 8045-2026, s. 5.5](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/tree-protection-and-management-bylaw-no-8045-2026)
  - Official wording: "that is on City Property, unless the work is undertaken by the City or its authorized agents." … "shall install or permit to be installed lights, ropes, chains, or objects in"
  - Source: [Trees, Trees page](https://www.mapleridge.ca/resident-services/trees)
  - Official wording: "To find out if a tree is on City or private property, check RidgeView"
  - Source: [Street Trees, Street Trees page, Maintenance](https://www.mapleridge.ca/build-do-business/build-develop-permits/land-development/street-trees)
  - Official wording: "Street trees are owned by the City and are generally located on the boulevard" … "any pruning must be done by the City" … "ParksOperations@MapleRidge.ca or 604-467-7346"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Removing a protected tree without a permit: $450 (early $400, late $500) under the Bylaw Notice Enforcement schedule; $3,000 under the Ticket Information Utilization schedule. Court fines can go up to the Offence Act maximum. (Sources differ: Two ticket schedules give different amounts for the same offence. Both name 'Tree Management Bylaw No. 8025-2026' while the current bylaw is No. 8045-2026 (same section number 5.1). The Bylaw Notice Enforcement consolidation lists amendments up to 8136-2026; the Ticket Information consolidation up to 8135-2026.)
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement (Consolidated) Bylaw No. 7626-2020, Schedule A, Tree Management Bylaw](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/bylaw-notice-enforcement-consolidated-bylaw-no-7626-2020)
  - Official wording: "Tree Management Bylaw No. 8025-2026" … "8025-2026 5.1 Remove protected tree $450 $400 $500 No"
  - Source: [Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 6929-2012 (Consolidated), Schedule 30](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/ticket-information-utilization-bylaw-no-6929-2012-consolidated)
  - Official wording: "Remove protected tree 5.1 $3000"
  - Source: [Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 8045-2026, s. 13.1](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/tree-protection-and-management-bylaw-no-8045-2026)
  - Official wording: "liable to a fine and penalty not exceeding the maximum amount"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 8045-2026
  - Source: [Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 8045-2026, title; s. 2.1](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/tree-protection-and-management-bylaw-no-8045-2026)
  - Official wording: "TREE PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT BYLAW NO. 8045-2026" … "Maple Ridge Tree Protection Bylaw No. 7133-2015 and its amendments are hereby repealed."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Trees in the City of Maple Ridge are regulated by the [Tree Protection and Management Bylaw 8045-2026](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/tree-protection-and-management-bylaw-no-8045-2026). A permit is needed to cut, remove or prune more than 1/4 of the live crown of any protected tree, on any property. Protected trees are any tree 20 cm DBH (diameter at breast height) or larger, any tree on City property, Significant Trees (60 cm or larger), replacement trees, and trees of any size in riparian or conservation areas, under covenant, or with raptor, osprey or heron nests.

A permit is issued only if one of the grounds in section 6.6 applies, such as a hazard tree, a tree within 1.0 m of the house foundation, structural damage, an approved development or a dying tree.

## Steps

1. Check on the RidgeView map whether the tree is on private or City land.
2. Apply using the City's tree permit forms (see the bulletin and bylaw page) and pay the application fee, which is non-refundable.
3. Plant replacement trees on the lot: 2 for each tree of 20 to 39 cm DBH, 3 for 40 to 59 cm, 4 for 60 cm or more. Only 1 is needed if the permit covers a single tree in a calendar year.
4. Pay the refundable security of $640 per replacement tree before the permit is issued. The security may be waived if it is under $5,000.
5. Cut only after the permit is issued.

## Good to know

- No permit is needed for a tree that is dead of natural causes (verified), or a storm-damaged hazard tree in imminent danger (assessed by an arborist, reported within one business day). Fewer than 10 trees removed on active-farm land for a designated farm use are also exempt. Farmland in the ALR is not otherwise exempt.
- Street trees are City property, usually on the boulevard. Only the City or its agents may cut, prune or damage them. Report concerns to ParksOperations@MapleRidge.ca or 604-467-7346.
- Removing a protected tree without a permit: a bylaw notice is $450 (early payment $400, late $500); a municipal ticket is $3,000. Court fines can go up to the Offence Act maximum. The two ticket schedules differ, so confirm the amount with the City.
- The City's bulletin still links to an older, repealed tree bylaw. Use Bylaw 8045-2026.

## Official forms and pages

- [Tree Protection and Management Bylaw (City page with forms)](https://www.mapleridge.ca/your-government/policies-bylaws/tree-protection-and-management-bylaw)
- [Bulletin, Residential Tree Cutting Permits (PDF)](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/tree-bulletin-residential-tree-cutting-permits)
- [Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 8045-2026 (PDF)](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/tree-protection-and-management-bylaw-no-8045-2026)

## Related questions

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

## The same question elsewhere

- [Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tree-removal.md)
- [Pitt Meadows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pitt-meadows/tree-removal.md)
- [Port Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/tree-removal.md)
- [Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/tree-removal.md)
- [Anmore](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/anmore/tree-removal.md)
- [Township of Langley](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/tree-removal.md)
- [Port Moody](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/tree-removal.md)

## Sources

- [Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 8045-2026 (PDF)](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/tree-protection-and-management-bylaw-no-8045-2026) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bulletin, Residential Tree Cutting Permits (PDF)](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/tree-bulletin-residential-tree-cutting-permits) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges (Consolidated) Bylaw No. 7575-2019, Schedule J (PDF)](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/fees-charges-consolidated-bylaw-no-7575-2019) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement (Consolidated) Bylaw No. 7626-2020 (PDF)](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/bylaw-notice-enforcement-consolidated-bylaw-no-7626-2020) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 6929-2012 (Consolidated) (PDF)](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/ticket-information-utilization-bylaw-no-6929-2012-consolidated) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Trees, City of Maple Ridge](https://www.mapleridge.ca/resident-services/trees) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Street Trees, City of Maple Ridge](https://www.mapleridge.ca/build-do-business/build-develop-permits/land-development/street-trees) (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 Maple Ridge. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/tree-removal/_