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

# North Vancouver tree removal rules and permits

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

**Short answer:** In the City of North Vancouver, low-density residential lots (zones GO, RS-1, RS-2, RS-4B, RT-1, RT-2) need no tree permit, except in streamside areas or some CD zones. Every other property needs a permit to remove a protected tree 20 cm or more across. The fine is $450.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of North Vancouver, https://www.cnv.org)  
**Cost:** Application base fee $182.25, plus $78.11 per tree removed and $135.36 per site inspection. Security deposit $1,015.37 per replacement tree; ecological compensation $1,562.11 per tree where applicable; cash-in-lieu of planting $781.06 per tree.  
**Where:**
- Email: Private property trees, TreeBylaw@cnv.org
- Email: Trees on City property (boulevards, parks), eng@cnv.org
- Phone: Engineering (City trees, hazards), 604-983-7333

## Key facts

- **When a permit is needed:** Not needed on low-density residential lots (zones GO, RS-1, RS-2, RS-4B, RT-1, RT-2), except in streamside areas or some CD zones. On all other properties (multi-family, commercial, civic, industrial) a permit is needed to remove a protected tree 20 cm or more in diameter, measured 1.4 m above the ground.
  - Source: [Tree Bylaw, 2022, No. 8888 (PDF, consolidated June 15, 2026), s. 2.A, 2.B](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/8888-C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw applies to trees on land throughout the City, but does not apply to a tree if" … "zoned GO (Ground Oriented" … "This Bylaw only applies to trees having a DBH of 20 centimetres or more."
  - Source: [Trees on Private Property](https://www.cnv.org/Community-Environment/Trees/Private-Trees)
  - Official wording: "are not required to get a tree removal permit unless the property is in a streamside area or some CD zones." … "A permit is required to remove any protected tree that has a diameter of 20 centimetres or greater, measured at 1.4 metres above the ground."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Exemptions:** A tree that presents an imminent danger to people or property from natural causes only may be cut without a permit; report it to the City by the next business day with a photo, and do not remove it until the City authorizes. Basic pruning to arboricultural standards is exempt. Trees entirely on a highway, and trees under 20 cm DBH, are outside the bylaw. (Sources differ: The City's web page says evidence must be sent within 24 hours of cutting; the bylaw says the next business day. The bylaw is followed here. Hazard trees cut this way still need replacement trees and security as if cut under a permit (s. 4.C).)
  - Source: [Tree Bylaw, 2022, No. 8888 (PDF, consolidated June 15, 2026), ss. 2.A, 2.B, 4.B](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/8888-C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "does not apply to a tree if the entire trunk of the tree is on a highway" … "This Bylaw only applies to trees having a DBH of 20 centimetres or more." … "due to natural causes only, presents an" … "shall report the cutting to the Delegate within the next business day" … "shall not remove the tree until authorized to do so by the Delegate" … "carried out in accordance with sound arboricultural"
  - Source: [Trees on Private Property, Hazardous Tree Removal](https://www.cnv.org/Community-Environment/Trees/Private-Trees)
  - Official wording: "Within 24 hours of cutting the tree, you must submit evidence"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** Application base fee $182.25, plus $78.11 per tree removed and a $135.36 inspection fee per site visit. Also a $1,015.37 security deposit per replacement tree (returned if the tree survives) and, where applicable, ecological compensation of $1,562.11 per tree.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw, 2024, No. 9000, Schedule F, Tree Bylaw Fees](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/9000-C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Application Base Fee per application $ 182.25" … "Tree Removal Fee per tree removed $ 78.11" … "Inspection Fee per site visit $ 135.36" … "Replacement Tree Security per tree replaced $ 1,015.37" … "Ecological Compensation per tree removed $ 1,562.11"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Replacement trees:** Plant 1 replacement tree for each dead, dying or hazardous tree removed and 3 for any other tree, on the same lot within 6 months, at least one a conifer, each at least 5 cm caliper, and maintain them 2 years (up to 4). If the lot cannot fit them, pay $781.06 per tree cash-in-lieu.
  - Source: [Tree Bylaw, 2022, No. 8888 (PDF, consolidated June 15, 2026), s. 7.A, 7.B, 7.D, 7.E](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/8888-C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "1 replacement tree for each dead, dying, or Hazardous Tree that is cut or" … "3 replacement trees for each tree other than a dead, dying or Hazardous Tree" … "at least one replacement tree must be a conifer, and the caliper for" … "a replacement tree must be at least 5 cm." … "shall maintain replacement trees for two years from the date of" … "the applicant shall pay cash-in-lieu to the City"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw, 2024, No. 9000, Schedule F, Tree Bylaw Fees](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/9000-C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Tree Replacement Cash-in-Lieu per tree removed $ 781.06"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **City trees:** Trees in parks and on streets and boulevards are managed by the City, which will not prune or remove them for aesthetics or views. Owners may apply for a City Tree Cutting Permit under specific conditions in the City's Tree Policy; work cannot start until it is issued. Apply to eng@cnv.org; call 604-983-7333 about hazards.
  - Source: [Trees on Public Property](https://www.cnv.org/Community-Environment/Trees/Public-Trees)
  - Official wording: "will not prune or remove trees for aesthetic reasons or to improve a view." … "A City Tree Cutting Permit must be issued before any tree work begins." … "Submit your completed application for review to eng@cnv.org." … "please call 604-983-7333, email eng@cnv.org"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** $450 per offence ($400 if paid early, $500 if paid late) for cutting, removing or damaging a tree, or allowing it, without a permit. The City can also require a fee of 250% of the ecological compensation fee per tree plus replacement planting; court fines can reach $50,000.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2018, No. 8675 (PDF, consolidated June 15, 2026), Schedule A, Tree Bylaw, 2022, No. 8888](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/8675-C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Cut, remove or damage a tree, or any part of a tree 4 (a) No $450 $400 $500"
  - Source: [Tree Bylaw, 2022, No. 8888 (PDF, consolidated June 15, 2026), s. 10.B, 10.C](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/8888-C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "to a maximum of $50,000 in fines" … "Pay a fee equal to 250% of the Ecological Compensation Fee"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Tree Bylaw, 2022, No. 8888 (consolidated June 15, 2026)
  - Source: [Tree Bylaw, 2022, No. 8888 (PDF, consolidated June 15, 2026), title page](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/8888-C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Tree Bylaw, 2022, No. 8888" … "CONSOLIDATED FOR CONVENIENCE – JUNE 15, 2026"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The City of North Vancouver's [Tree Bylaw No. 8888](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/8888-C.pdf) depends on your property's zone. Low-density residential lots (GO, RS-1, RS-2, RS-4B, RT-1, RT-2) need no permit, except in streamside areas or some CD (comprehensive development) zones. On all other properties (multi-family, commercial, civic, industrial) you need a permit to remove a protected tree 20 cm or more in diameter, measured 1.4 m above the ground. Check your zone in CityMap.

A permit is only issued for dead, dying or hazardous trees, trees interfering with utility wires or sewer or drainage, and, where a building permit application is active, trees in the building envelope or construction access area. If the trunk is partly off your property, you need the neighbour's permission.

## Steps

1. If unsure, email TreeBylaw@cnv.org.
2. Apply with the Tree Removal Permit Application Form and pay the fees.
3. Post the security for replacement trees before the permit issues.
4. Replant: 1 tree for each dead, dying or hazardous tree removed and 3 for any other, on the same lot within 6 months, at least one a conifer, each at least 5 cm caliper, kept for 2 years. If they will not fit, pay $781.06 per tree cash-in-lieu.

## Good to know

- A tree in imminent danger from natural causes may be cut without a permit. Report it to the City by the next business day with a photo, and do not remove it until the City authorizes. Replacement trees and security still apply. The City's web page says 24 hours instead; confirm with the City.
- Basic pruning to arboricultural standards is exempt, as are trees under 20 cm.
- Trees on streets, boulevards and parks are managed by the City, which will not prune or remove them for aesthetics or views. To apply for a City Tree Cutting Permit, email eng@cnv.org; call 604-983-7333 about hazards.
- Cutting a tree without a permit is a $450 ticket ($400 if paid early, $500 if paid late). The City can also charge 250% of the ecological compensation fee, and court fines can reach $50,000.

## Official forms and pages

- [Trees on Private Property](https://www.cnv.org/Community-Environment/Trees/Private-Trees)
- [Trees on Public Property](https://www.cnv.org/Community-Environment/Trees/Public-Trees)
- [Tree Removal Permit Application Form (PDF)](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Building-Permit-Application-Forms/Tree-Removal-Permit-Application-Form.pdf)
- [Tree Bylaw, 2022, No. 8888 (PDF)](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/8888-C.pdf)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tree-removal.md)
- [District of North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/tree-removal.md)
- [Port Moody](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/tree-removal.md)
- [West Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-vancouver/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 Bylaw, 2022, No. 8888 (PDF, consolidated June 15, 2026)](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/8888-C.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Trees on Private Property, City of North Vancouver](https://www.cnv.org/Community-Environment/Trees/Private-Trees) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Trees on Public Property, City of North Vancouver](https://www.cnv.org/Community-Environment/Trees/Public-Trees) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw, 2024, No. 9000 (PDF), Schedule F, Tree Bylaw Fees](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/9000-C.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2018, No. 8675 (PDF, consolidated June 15, 2026)](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/8675-C.pdf) (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 North Vancouver. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/tree-removal/_