Oak Bay tree removal rules and permits

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

Oak Bay, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

Short answer

In Oak Bay, yes for a protected tree. You need a District Tree Permit to cut, top, prune or damage any tree over 30 cm across, a Garry oak, arbutus, Pacific yew, black hawthorn, shore pine or Pacific dogwood, or any District-owned tree.

Key facts

When a permit is needed	A Tree Permit is needed anywhere in Oak Bay to cut, top, prune or damage a protected tree. Protected trees include any tree over 30 cm dbh, Garry oak, arbutus, Pacific yew, black hawthorn, shore pine and Pacific dogwood (over 4 cm basal diameter or 1 m tall), and replacement trees.Tree Protection Bylaw No. 4742 (PDF, consolidated March 10, 2025), s. 1 (Protected Tree), s. 2.1, s. 3.1; Trees, Tree Work Application Permit · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording This Bylaw applies to all lands within the District of Oak Bay. no person shall carry out any any tree with a dbh greater than 30 centimetres; Garry oak which has either a basal diameter greater than 4 centimetres or a height No protected tree shall be cut down or damaged unless authorized by:
Exemptions	No permit for a tree that is not a protected tree. No permit in an emergency when a protected tree or branch is severely damaged by natural causes and must be cut to avoid imminent danger, if an arborist supervises and reports are made. District work approved by the Parks Manager is exempt.Tree Protection Bylaw No. 4742 (PDF, consolidated March 10, 2025), s. 4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording A Tree Permit is not required under this Bylaw if the tree is not a protected tree. the cutting, pruning or removal of the tree or branch is required on an emergency basis to avoid an imminent danger of A Tree Permit is not required for work carried out by the District so long as the
Fee	$50 to remove or prune a tree over 30 cm dbh, or to remove a dead, diseased, dying or hazardous tree. $500 when the permit is issued for building, accessory structure, root damage, driveway or services work. No fee for significant trees.Tree Protection Bylaw No. 4742 (PDF, consolidated March 10, 2025), Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Removal or Pruning of Tree Above 30 cm dbh Dead, Diseased, Dying Hazardous Tree Removal Tree Permits Issued for a Purpose Under Section 9.2(a) to (d) or (f) Significant Tree Removal or Pruning No application fee
Replacement trees	One replacement tree per tree removed for hazard, decline, damage or driveway and services reasons; two per tree removed from the building envelope. Security is $500 per tree, returned after 3 years (1 year for hazard or decline). If a tree can't fit on the lot, pay $500 per tree.Tree Protection Bylaw No. 4742 (PDF, consolidated March 10, 2025), s. 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording must plant on the parcel one (1) replacement tree for each tree removed must plant on the parcel two (2) replacement trees for each tree removed from within the Fee Where Required Replacement Trees Will Not Be Planted on Planting, Care and Maintenance of Replacement Trees for a $500 per tree
City trees	Any tree on District-owned or controlled property (street, boulevard, park or median trees) is a protected tree, so cutting, pruning or damaging it needs a permit. Attaching a sign to a tree is also prohibited.Tree Protection Bylaw No. 4742 (PDF, consolidated March 10, 2025), s. 1 (Municipal Tree, Protected Tree), s. 3.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Municipal Tree means any tree located on a property owned or under the control of Any municipal tree on Oak Bay property (n) attach a sign or other structure to a tree;
Fine	Municipal ticket: $1,000 ($780 if paid within 30 days) under the Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw, Schedule 26. The Tree Protection Bylaw's own Schedule B (Minimum Fines) lists $3,000 for the same offence, so the amounts differ; confirm with the District.Sources differ: The ticket schedule (consolidated to June 8, 2026) is newer than the tree bylaw consolidation (March 10, 2025). The $3,000 is a minimum fine set in the bylaw's Schedule B for a court conviction; the ticket amount is set by the MTI bylaw. Not treated as a conflict.Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 4846, Schedule 26; Tree Protection Bylaw No. 4742 (PDF, consolidated March 10, 2025), Schedule B · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Cut/Prune/Damage Tree Without Permit 3.1 $1,000.00 $780.00 Fail To Plant Replacement Tree 10.1(a) $750.00 $585.00 Cut, Prune Protected Tree Without Permit 3.1 $3000 a Municipal Ticket Information issued under Schedule B of this bylaw or Cut, Prune Protected Tree Without Permit 3.1 $3000
Bylaw	Tree Protection Bylaw, 2020, Bylaw No. 4742 (consolidated March 10, 2025)Tree Protection Bylaw No. 4742 (PDF, consolidated March 10, 2025), title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording BYLAW NO. 4742 TREE PROTECTION BYLAW, 2020 Consolidated on March 10, 2025

How it works

Oak Bay's Tree Protection Bylaw No. 4742 applies across the District. A Tree Permit is needed to cut, top, prune or damage a protected tree. Protected trees include any tree over 30 cm diameter at breast height, Garry oak, arbutus, Pacific yew, black hawthorn, shore pine and Pacific dogwood (over 4 cm basal diameter or 1 m tall), replacement trees, significant trees, trees kept on plans for applications, trees under covenant, trees with raptor, osprey or heron nests, and any District-owned tree. Pruning means removing living branches over 5 cm (listed species) or 10 cm (others).

Steps

Check whether your tree is protected.
Apply for a Tree Permit through the District's Trees page.
Pay the fee. Fees are non-refundable.
If you remove a tree, plant replacements as the permit requires.

Good to know

No permit is needed for a tree that is not protected. In an emergency, when a protected tree or branch is badly damaged by natural causes and must be cut to avoid imminent danger, you may cut under an arborist's supervision. Report it to the Manager of Parks Services by the end of the next business day, with a written Qualified Tree Risk Assessor report.
Replacement: one tree per tree removed for hazard, decline, damage or driveway and services reasons; two per tree removed from the building envelope. Security is $500 per tree, returned after 3 years (1 year for hazard or decline). If it cannot fit on the lot, pay $500 per tree.
Building permit applicants must also meet canopy cover targets and may pay construction protection security.
Street, boulevard, park and median trees belong to the District. You cannot cut, prune or damage them without a permit, and attaching a sign to a tree is prohibited.
Fine: the municipal ticket schedule says $1,000 ($780 if paid within 30 days), but the tree bylaw's own Schedule B lists $3,000. Confirm the amount with the District.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Victoria · Saanich · Esquimalt · View Royal · Colwood · Langford

Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Tree Protection Bylaw No. 4742 (PDF, consolidated March 10, 2025), District of Oak Bay (read 2026-11-06)
Trees, District of Oak Bay (read 2026-11-06)
Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 4846 (PDF), District of Oak Bay (read 2026-11-06)

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