Maple Ridge tree removal rules and permits

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

Maple Ridge, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

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.

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.Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 8045-2026, s. 6.3; definition of Protected Tree; Bulletin, Residential Tree Cutting Permits · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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; All trees 20 cm Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) or greater
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.Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 8045-2026, s. 4.6, 4.3, 4.5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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
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.Fees and Charges (Consolidated) Bylaw No. 7575-2019, Schedule J · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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.
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.Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 8045-2026, s. 8.5, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6; Fees and Charges (Consolidated) Bylaw No. 7575-2019, Schedule J · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 Replacement Tree Security Fee (per tree) $640.00 Cash-in-lieu of Replacement Tree (per tree) $800.00
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.Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 8045-2026, s. 5.5; Trees, Trees page; Street Trees, Street Trees page, Maintenance · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 To find out if a tree is on City or private property, check RidgeView 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
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.Bylaw Notice Enforcement (Consolidated) Bylaw No. 7626-2020, Schedule A, Tree Management Bylaw; Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 6929-2012 (Consolidated), Schedule 30; Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 8045-2026, s. 13.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Tree Management Bylaw No. 8025-2026 8025-2026 5.1 Remove protected tree $450 $400 $500 No Remove protected tree 5.1 $3000 liable to a fine and penalty not exceeding the maximum amount
Bylaw	Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 8045-2026Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 8045-2026, title; s. 2.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording TREE PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT BYLAW NO. 8045-2026 Maple Ridge Tree Protection Bylaw No. 7133-2015 and its amendments are hereby repealed.

How it works

Trees in the City of Maple Ridge are regulated by the Tree Protection and Management Bylaw 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

Check on the RidgeView map whether the tree is on private or City land.
Apply using the City's tree permit forms (see the bulletin and bylaw page) and pay the application fee, which is non-refundable.
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.
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.
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

The same question in other places

Pitt Meadows · Port Coquitlam · Coquitlam · Anmore · Township of Langley · Port Moody

Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Tree Protection and Management Bylaw No. 8045-2026 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Bulletin, Residential Tree Cutting Permits (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Fees and Charges (Consolidated) Bylaw No. 7575-2019, Schedule J (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Bylaw Notice Enforcement (Consolidated) Bylaw No. 7626-2020 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 6929-2012 (Consolidated) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Trees, City of Maple Ridge (read 2026-11-05)
Street Trees, City of Maple Ridge (read 2026-11-05)

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