New Westminster tree removal rules and permits

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

New Westminster, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

Yes, for any protected tree. In New Westminster that means a tree 20 cm or more across (measured 1.3 m above the ground), a hedge 5 m or higher, a tree with nesting birds, and any tree or shrub on City land. A permit costs $106 per tree for the first 5.

Key facts

When a permit is needed	A permit is needed to cut or remove any protected tree on any lot: a tree 20 cm or more in diameter (measured 1.3 m above grade), or whose two largest stems total 20 cm; a hedge 5 m or higher; a tree with nesting birds; and any tree or shrub on City land.Tree Permits, FAQ; Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw No. 7799, 2016, s. 1.0(jj) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording A permit is required for cutting or removing any protected tree. that has a DBH of 20 centimetres or greater, or has a combined DBH of its two largest trunks or stems of 20 centimetres or greater a hedge that is 5 metres or higher as measured from the trunk flare to the tip
Exemptions	Pruning to sound arboricultural practice needs no permit, but not crown raising below 50% live crown, removing over 25% of the crown, topping, or cutting structural roots. A tree in imminent danger of falling from natural causes, where no permit can be had first, may be cut; report it by the next business day with a photo, and replace it.Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw No. 7799, 2016, s. 5.7; Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw No. 7799, 2016, s. 5.6; Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw No. 7799, 2016, s. 3.2(b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording A permit is not required for the pruning of a protected tree so long as pruning is carried out In the event that a protected tree is in imminent danger of falling and injuring persons or property due to natural causes, and it is not possible to obtain a permit prior to the tree falling Trees that are cut pursuant to this section must be replaced the owner may cut the tree or have it cut, but shall report the cutting of the tree to protected trees on City-owned property or highways that are cut or removed by the City or its authorized agents in accordance with approved City operations.
Fee	Per tree: $106 for the first 5, $211 each after; specimen trees $158 first, $264 each after. Hazardous trees only: $79 for one, or $79 plus $26 per extra tree. Resident Applicants: $0 per hazardous tree, otherwise $81 per tree up to $1,584.Planning and Development Fees and Rates Bylaw No. 7683, 2014 (PDF, Schedule E, 2026), Schedule E, Tree Permit Fee · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording $106.00 per tree for first 5 $211.00 per tree for each $158.00 per specimen tree $79.00 for the first tree, plus $26.00 for each additional $0.00 per hazardous tree and $81.00 per tree for all
Replacement trees	Two replacement trees per protected tree removed; one per hazardous or heavily diseased tree. Security or cash-in-lieu per replacement tree is $792, or $686 for a Resident Applicant (capped at $10,811 in total). Replacement trees must be maintained for 1 year.Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw No. 7799, 2016, s. 7.2, 7.6; Planning and Development Fees and Rates Bylaw No. 7683, 2014 (PDF, Schedule E, 2026), Schedule E, Security or Cash-in-Lieu for Replacement Trees; Tree Permits, Resident Applicants · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording required shall be 2 replacement trees for each 1 protected tree that is cut, removed or 1 replacement tree for each 1 hazardous tree Replacement trees shall be maintained for a period of 1 year Security or cash-in-lieu per replacement tree (general) Resident Applicant: $686.00 Maximum combined security or cash-in-lieu for all 40% of replacement tree securities will be refunded once the trees have been planted and the remaining 60% returned at the end of the one year maintenance period.
City trees	Trees and shrubs of any size on City-owned or occupied land, including boulevards, are protected. No one may cut, remove, prune or damage them, or fasten anything to them.Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw No. 7799, 2016, s. 4.5, 4.6; Tree Permits, FAQ · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording No person shall cut, remove, prune or damage any tree or shrub of any size on City-owned or occupied land, including any tree or shrub located on a highway. Trees/shrubs of any size on all City-owned or occupied lands
Fine	Bylaw notice: $500 for cutting, removing or damaging a protected tree without a permit ($475 if paid early, $525 if paid late). The Municipal Ticket Information schedule sets $1,000 for the same offence. On conviction in court the fine is $1,000 to $10,000.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 7318, 2009 (PDF, consolidated 2026), Schedule A, Part 23; Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw No. 7799, 2016, s. 11.3; Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 8077, 2019 (PDF, consolidated 2026), Schedule B, Part 23 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 4.1 Cut, remove, or damage 500.00 475.00 525.00 a person shall be liable to pay a fine of not less than $1,000 and not more than $10,000. Cut, remove, or damage a protected tree without 1,000.00 permit
Bylaw	Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw No. 7799, 2016Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw No. 7799, 2016, title page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording TREE PROTECTION AND REGULATION BYLAW NO. 7799, 2016

How it works

New Westminster's Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw 7799, 2016 requires a permit to cut or remove a protected tree. Protected trees are a tree 20 cm or more across 1.3 m above the ground (or whose two largest stems total 20 cm), a hedge 5 m or higher, a tree with nesting birds, and any tree or shrub on City land. Retained, replacement and specimen trees named in plans are also protected.

Steps

Measure your tree at 1.3 m above the ground.
Apply for a tree permit on the City's Tree Permits page.
Pay the fees and the replacement tree security or cash-in-lieu.
Plant and maintain the replacement trees for 1 year.

Good to know

Replacement: two trees per protected tree removed; one per hazardous or heavily diseased tree. Security is $792 per replacement tree, or $686 for a Resident Applicant, capped at $10,811 in total.
A Resident Applicant is an owner who lives on the lot and removes a hazardous tree, builds an addition or alteration, or builds an accessory building that is not a dwelling.
Pruning to sound arboricultural practice needs no permit, but not crown raising below 50% live crown, removing over 25% of the crown, topping, or cutting structural roots.
A tree in imminent danger of falling from natural causes may be cut if no permit can be had first. Report it by the next business day with a photo, and replace it.
Trees and shrubs on City land, including boulevards, may not be cut, pruned, damaged or have anything fastened to them.
Fines: a bylaw notice is $500 ($475 if paid early, $525 if paid late); a municipal ticket is $1,000. On conviction in court the fine is $1,000 to $10,000.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Burnaby · Coquitlam · Port Coquitlam · Port Moody · Surrey · Richmond

Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Tree Permits, City of New Westminster (read 2026-11-05)
Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw No. 7799, 2016 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Planning and Development Fees and Rates Bylaw No. 7683, 2014 (PDF, Schedule E, 2026) (read 2026-11-05)
Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 7318, 2009 (PDF, consolidated 2026) (read 2026-11-05)
Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 8077, 2019 (PDF, consolidated 2026) (read 2026-11-05)

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