Port Coquitlam tree removal rules and permits

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

Port Coquitlam, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

Yes, usually. Port Coquitlam's Tree Bylaw 4108 requires a $100 permit for each tree at least 5 m tall or at least 15 cm across (measured 1.4 m above ground). There is no charge for a tree the City deems hazardous, and you must plant a replacement. Cutting without a permit is a $500 fine.

Key facts

When a permit is needed	A permit is needed to cut, remove or damage a tree on private property that is at least 5 m tall or at least 15 cm across (measured 1.4 m above ground; 10 cm for some rare species). Hazardous or dead trees also need one. A hedge is not a tree.Tree Removal and Protection, Do I need a Tree Permit?; Tree Bylaw 4108, s. 3.1 (Tree) and s. 5.1(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Cut, remove or damage a tree at least 5 m tall OR wider than 15 cm across measured 1.4 m above the ground (10 cm across for some significant trees). Remove a tree that is hazardous or dead. with a diameter of at least 15 cm measured 1.4 metres above natural grade or a height of at least 5 metres; but does not include a hedge. No person shall cut or remove a tree (tree other than a significant or heritage tree) without a tree cutting permit.
Exemptions	No permit to prune per ISA guidelines or to remove dead or dying branches or a dead or broken stem of a multi-stemmed tree. A tree in imminent danger of falling from natural causes may be cut first if reported the next business day with a photo, then permitted within ten business days. Plants under 15 cm across and under 5 m tall are not trees.Tree Bylaw 4108, s. 4.2 and 6.2; Tree Removal and Protection, Do I need a Tree Permit? · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording to prune a tree in accordance with ISA guidelines; or owner shall apply for a tree cutting permit within ten business days of the tree cutting. 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. injuring persons or property due to natural causes and it is not possible to obtain a tree with a diameter of at least 15 cm measured 1.4 metres above natural grade or a height of at least 5 metres; but does not include a hedge. The owner shall not remove the tree from the lot until the City has attended at the site. Permits are not required to prune dead or dying branches, or to remove a dead or broken stem of a multi-stemmed tree.
Fee	$100 per tree cut. No charge for a tree the City deems hazardous. The application fee is non-refundable. A security deposit of $500 per required replacement tree is also taken (may be waived for single residential use).Fees and Charges Bylaw 4415, Schedule B (Engineering and Public Works); Tree Bylaw 4108, s. 6.3(d), 8.2, 8.6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Tree cutting permit $100 per cut tree Tree cutting permit for a tree deemed hazardous N/C - requires approval from the Parks a non-refundable application fee set out in the Fees and Charges Bylaw The amount of security shall be $500 per required replacement tree. waive the requirement to post security under this section 8 if the owner carries on an institutional or single residential use
Replacement trees	One replacement tree per tree cut; two for each significant tree 60 cm or more across; none if the cut tree is within 5 m of another tree on the property. Replacements: deciduous at least 5.0 cm caliper, conifers at least 2.0 m tall. If an arborist report shows planting is not feasible and the City approves, $500 is paid in lieu of each tree not planted.Tree Bylaw 4108, s. 3.1(w), 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording A tree replacement plan shall provide for one replacement tree to be planted for each tree proposed to be cut A tree replacement plan shall provide for two replacement trees to be planted for each significant tree 60 cm DBH or greater proposed to be cut. No replacement tree shall be required where the largest stem of the tree to be replaced is within a 5 metre radius of the largest stem of another tree on the subject property. a minimum caliper diameter of 5.0 cm if deciduous, or a minimum height of 2.0 m if coniferous, owner shall be required to contribute $500 in lieu of each replacement tree not planted.
City trees	A private individual needs a tree permit to cut a tree on City-owned property. Under the Boulevard Maintenance Bylaw, no adjacent owner or occupier may cut down a boulevard tree without the Director's prior written consent. The City maintains park and boulevard trees; report problems to Public Works at 604.927.5496 (Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.), or 604.543.6700 after hours.Tree Removal and Protection, Tree Permits and Fees; Reporting Trees of Concern; Boulevard Maintenance Bylaw 3965, Boulevard Maintenance Bylaw No. 3965, s. 7(j) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording A tree on City-owned property, if proposed to be cut by a private individual The City is responsible for maintaining trees on public property, such as park land or on a boulevard. To report a problem, call Public Works at 604.927.5496 (Monday-Friday, 7am to 3pm). For after-hours emergencies, call 604.543.6700. 7. No owner or occupier of real property adjacent to a boulevard shall: cut down any tree, any portion of the trunk of which is located on a boulevard; without prior written consent of the Director, which consent is within the Director
Fine	$500 for cutting or removing a tree without a permit (a $400 ticket applies to damaging a non-significant tree; $500 for a significant tree). No early-payment discount; $500 if paid late (after 90 days). Each tree is a separate offence. Schedule A of Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 3814.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 3814, Schedule A, Tree Bylaw No. 4108; Tree Bylaw 4108, s. 11.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Cutting or removing tree without 5.1 (a) 500 N/A 500 N/A Damaging or allowing tree to be 5.1 (b) 400 N/A 500 N/A 5.1 (c) 500 N/A 500 N/A a separate offence is committed in respect of each tree.
Bylaw	Tree Bylaw, 2019, No. 4108Tree Bylaw 4108, s. 1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording This bylaw is cited as “Tree Bylaw, 2019, No. 4108 ”

How it works

Under the City of Port Coquitlam's Tree Bylaw 4108, you need a permit to cut, remove or damage a tree on private property that is at least 5 m tall or at least 15 cm across, measured 1.4 m above ground (10 cm for some rare species). Hazardous or dead trees also need one, though the fee is waived. A hedge is not a tree.

Steps

Photograph the trunk with a ruler at 1.4 m, and the tree in its surroundings.
Complete the online Tree Cutting Permit Application with a replacement plan.
Pay the $100 fee and any security deposit. The application fee is not refundable.
Plant the replacements: one per tree cut, two for each significant tree 60 cm or more across, none if the cut tree is within 5 m of another tree on the property. Deciduous trees must be at least 5.0 cm caliper and conifers at least 2.0 m tall. Keep them healthy for one year.

Good to know

No permit is needed to prune per ISA guidelines or to remove dead or dying branches or a dead or broken stem of a multi-stemmed tree.
A tree in imminent danger of falling may be cut first if you report it the next business day with a photo; a permit then follows within ten business days.
Permits are generally not issued March 15 to August 31 (bird nesting season) without a biological survey, per the City page.
Fine: $500 for cutting or removing a tree without a permit ($400 for damaging a non-significant tree), with no early-payment discount. Each tree is a separate offence, and you must plant 3 replacement trees per tree cut.
A private person needs a permit to cut a tree on City land. Boulevard trees need the Director's prior written consent under the Boulevard Maintenance Bylaw. Report City tree problems to Public Works at 604-927-5496.

What you'll need

Photo of the trunk with a ruler or tape at 1.4 m above ground
Photo of the tree in its surroundings and any hazard
Tree replacement plan

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Coquitlam · New Westminster · Port Moody · Anmore · Burnaby · Surrey

Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Tree Removal and Protection, City of Port Coquitlam (read 2026-11-05)
Tree Cutting Permit Application, City of Port Coquitlam (read 2026-11-05)
Tree Bylaw 4108 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Fees and Charges Bylaw 4415 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Boulevard Maintenance Bylaw 3965 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 3814 (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. How answers are checked.