---
title: District of North Vancouver tree removal rules and permits
question: "Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property in the District of North Vancouver?"
place: District of North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/north-vancouver-district
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of North Vancouver
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/tree-removal/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/tree-removal.json"
---

# District of North Vancouver tree removal rules and permits

**Question:** Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property in the District of North Vancouver?

**Short answer:** In the District of North Vancouver (not the City), you need a tree permit to cut, prune or remove a protected tree or a large tree (75 cm diameter or more). Fees are $116 per tree for up to four protected trees. Cutting one without a permit is a $500 bylaw notice.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of North Vancouver, https://www.dnv.org)  
**Cost:** $116 per tree for up to four protected trees; $581 for five or more; $2,908 for ten or more protected trees on a parcel over 1 hectare. Large trees: $116 per tree to cut, $581 per tree to remove. Fees double if work starts before the permit.  
**How long:** Not stated in the documents we could read. Ask the Environment department.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Environment (tree permits), 604-990-2480
- Email: Environment email, environment@dnv.org
- In person: Municipal Hall, 355 West Queens Road, North Vancouver, BC V7N 4N5

## Key facts

- **When a permit is needed:** A tree permit is needed to cut, prune or remove a protected tree or a large-diameter tree (75 cm DBH or more). Protected includes trees in a streamside protected area (generally 15 m from top of bank, 30 m beside some rivers), on slopes over 36%, in three development permit areas, and arbutus, Garry oak and other listed species.
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw 7671, s. 7](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%207671.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A person must not cut, damage or remove, or permit or cause to be cut, damaged or removed," … "a protected tree or large-diameter tree:" … "to a point 30 metres distant from the top of bank of the stream measured"
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw 7671, s. 4 definitions](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%207671.pdf)
  - Official wording: "large-diameter tree means any tree having a DBH of 75 centimetres (cm) or more" … "any tree located within a protected area;" … "any tree located on a steep slope;"
  - Source: [Tree permit FAQ, 2023, FAQ 2 and 3](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/tree-permit-faq-2023.pdf)
  - Official wording: "You do not need a tree permit to remove or prune a tree if the tree is not defined as a"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Exemptions:** Trees that are neither protected nor large-diameter need no permit. The bylaw does not apply to District or utility works. A hazardous tree can get a no-fee, no-replanting permit with an arborist report. Branches of a District tree overhanging your land may be pruned back to the property line.
  - Source: [Tree permit FAQ, 2023, FAQ 3, 7](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/tree-permit-faq-2023.pdf)
  - Official wording: "You do not need a tree permit to remove or prune a tree if the tree is not defined as a" … "An arborist report is also required if the applicant"
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw 7671, s. 3](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%207671.pdf)
  - Official wording: "This bylaw does not apply to tree cutting, pruning or removal by or on behalf of the District"
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw 7671, s. 7](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%207671.pdf)
  - Official wording: "that person may prune such tree back to his or her property line without a permit"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** $116 per tree for up to four protected trees; $581 for five or more; $2,908 for removing ten or more protected trees on a parcel over 1 hectare. Large-diameter trees: $116 per tree to cut, $581 per tree to remove. Fees are doubled for work done before getting a permit.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 6481, Schedule B, Tree Permits](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%206481.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Cut or remove protected tree(s):" … "Five or more protected trees $581.00" … "Cut large diameter tree(s) - per tree $116.00" … "Remove large diameter tree(s) - per tree $581.00" … "Above fees doubled for Retroactive Permit for work requiring tree permit done without"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Replacement trees:** For a large-diameter tree, if the lot would have under 20% canopy afterward: 1 replacement tree per tree on lots under 420 m², 3 per tree on lots of 420 m² or more, or pay an Environmental Compensation Fee. A security deposit of 125% of estimated cost (max $50,000) may be required.
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw 7671, s. 21](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%207671.pdf)
  - Official wording: "if the subject lot is less than 420 square meters in area, the applicant must plant" … "three replacement trees for every large-diameter tree removed or damaged;" … "the additional environmental compensation"
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw 7671, s. 26](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%207671.pdf)
  - Official wording: "in an amount equal to 125% of the" … "to a maximum of $50,000"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **City trees:** A tree on or straddling District land is a protected tree, so no work without a permit. Applicants must use a contractor from the District Tree Contractor list. The District Parks Department inspects and handles hazardous District trees on request.
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw 7671, s. 4, protected tree (a)](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%207671.pdf)
  - Official wording: "any tree which is located on or which straddles land owned or in the possession or control" … "of the District"
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw 7671, s. 22](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%207671.pdf)
  - Official wording: "the applicant for a tree permit or authorized agent is required to engage a contractor from the" … "District Tree Contractor list"
  - Source: [Tree permit FAQ, 2023, FAQ 11](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/tree-permit-faq-2023.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No. A formal request is made and forwarded to the appropriate Field Arborist in the District"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice: cutting a protected tree without a permit $500 ($375 within 14 days, $750 late); not planting replacement trees $500; not following a permit $250. Municipal ticket (Tree Bylaw s. 47): $1,000 to cut a protected tree without a permit, $500 to damage one.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 7458, Schedule A, Tree Protection Bylaw 7671](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%207458.pdf)
  - Official wording: "7a Cut protected tree without tree permit 500 375 750" … "19 Fail to plant replacement trees 500 375 750" … "6 Fail to comply with tree permit 250 190 375"
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw 7671, s. 47 Ticketing](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%207671.pdf)
  - Official wording: "47. The words or expressions listed below in the designated expression column are authorized" … "Cut protected tree without tree permit"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Tree Protection Bylaw 7671, 2012 (consolidation includes Bylaw 8583, July 18, 2022)
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw 7671, s. 1 and cover](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%207671.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Tree Protection Bylaw 7671, 2012" … "Bylaw 8583 July 18, 2022"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The [Tree Protection Bylaw 7671](<https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%207671.pdf>) requires a tree permit to cut, prune or remove a protected tree or a large-diameter tree (75 cm diameter at breast height or more; measured 1.3 m above ground). This is the District of North Vancouver, not the City of North Vancouver.

Protected trees include:

- trees in a streamside protected area (generally 15 m from top of bank, 30 m beside some rivers),
- trees on slopes over 36%, and trees in three development permit areas,
- arbutus, Garry oak and other listed species,
- any tree on or straddling District land, plus replacement, covenant, heritage, wildlife and old-growth trees, and trees on a wetland or within 30 m of the waterfront.

Trees that are neither protected nor large-diameter need no permit. The bylaw does not apply to District or utility works.

## Steps

1. Check whether your tree is protected or large. See the [tree permit FAQ](<https://docs.dnv.org/documents/tree-permit-faq-2023.pdf>) or call Environment on 604-990-2480 (environment@dnv.org).
2. Apply for a permit and pay the fee (see cost).
3. For a large tree, expect replacement planting if the lot would have under 20% canopy afterward: 1 tree per tree removed on lots under 420 m², 3 per tree on lots of 420 m² or more, or an Environmental Compensation Fee. A security deposit of 125% of the estimated cost (maximum $50,000) may be required.

## Good to know

- A hazardous tree can get a no-fee, no-replanting permit with an arborist report.
- A District tree is a protected tree. Use a contractor from the District Tree Contractor list. Branches of a District tree overhanging your land may be pruned back to the property line.
- Cutting a protected tree without a permit is a $500 bylaw notice ($375 within 14 days, $750 late). A municipal ticket is $1,000 to cut a protected tree without a permit and $500 to damage one. Not planting replacement trees is $500; not following a permit is $250.

## Official forms and pages

- [Tree Protection Bylaw 7671 (PDF)](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%207671.pdf)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw 6481 (PDF)](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%206481.pdf)
- [Tree permit FAQ, 2023 (PDF)](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/tree-permit-faq-2023.pdf)

## Related questions

- [District of North Vancouver zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/zoning-lookup.md)
- [District of North Vancouver building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/building-permit.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tree-removal.md)
- [North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/tree-removal.md)
- [West Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-vancouver/tree-removal.md)
- [Port Moody](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/tree-removal.md)
- [Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/tree-removal.md)
- [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/tree-removal.md)
- [Richmond](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/tree-removal.md)

## Sources

- [Tree Protection Bylaw 7671 (PDF)](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%207671.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw 6481 (PDF)](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%206481.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Tree permit FAQ, 2023 (PDF)](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/tree-permit-faq-2023.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 7458 (PDF)](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%207458.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)

_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 District of North Vancouver. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/tree-removal/_