District of North Vancouver tree removal rules and permits

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

District of North Vancouver, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

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.

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.Tree Protection Bylaw 7671, s. 7; Tree Protection Bylaw 7671, s. 4 definitions; Tree permit FAQ, 2023, FAQ 2 and 3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 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; You do not need a tree permit to remove or prune a tree if the tree is not defined as a
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.Tree permit FAQ, 2023, FAQ 3, 7; Tree Protection Bylaw 7671, s. 3; Tree Protection Bylaw 7671, s. 7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 This bylaw does not apply to tree cutting, pruning or removal by or on behalf of the District that person may prune such tree back to his or her property line without a permit
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.Fees and Charges Bylaw 6481, Schedule B, Tree Permits · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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
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.Tree Protection Bylaw 7671, s. 21; Tree Protection Bylaw 7671, s. 26 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 in an amount equal to 125% of the to a maximum of $50,000
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.Tree Protection Bylaw 7671, s. 4, protected tree (a); Tree Protection Bylaw 7671, s. 22; Tree permit FAQ, 2023, FAQ 11 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording any tree which is located on or which straddles land owned or in the possession or control of the District the applicant for a tree permit or authorized agent is required to engage a contractor from the District Tree Contractor list No. A formal request is made and forwarded to the appropriate Field Arborist in the District
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.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 7458, Schedule A, Tree Protection Bylaw 7671; Tree Protection Bylaw 7671, s. 47 Ticketing · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 47. The words or expressions listed below in the designated expression column are authorized Cut protected tree without tree permit
Bylaw	Tree Protection Bylaw 7671, 2012 (consolidation includes Bylaw 8583, July 18, 2022)Tree Protection Bylaw 7671, s. 1 and cover · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Tree Protection Bylaw 7671, 2012 Bylaw 8583 July 18, 2022

How it works

The Tree Protection Bylaw 7671 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

Check whether your tree is protected or large. See the tree permit FAQ or call Environment on 604-990-2480 (environment@dnv.org).
Apply for a permit and pay the fee (see cost).
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

The same question in other places

North Vancouver · West Vancouver · Port Moody · Vancouver · Burnaby · Richmond

Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Tree Protection Bylaw 7671 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
Fees and Charges Bylaw 6481 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
Tree permit FAQ, 2023 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 7458 (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. How answers are checked.