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

# Port Moody tree removal rules and permits

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

**Short answer:** Usually yes. In Port Moody a Tree Management Permit is needed for a tree 30 cm or more across (diameter at breast height), 10 cm or more in a sensitive area or on a lot with a development application, and certain native species. The fee is $75 for a property without a development approval.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Port Moody, https://www.portmoody.ca)  
**Cost:** $75 for a property not subject to a development approval; $300 for RS and RT zoned residential properties (the schedule states no condition, probably with a development approval; confirm with the City); $720 for other properties with a development approval; $0 for hazard trees. Tree Removal Review $155. Replacement tree security $370 per tree on most lots ($740 for non-RS/RT lots with development approval).  
**How long:** Not stated on the City's tree pages or in the bylaw.  
**Where:**
- Online: Non-development tree removal permit form, https://eforms.portmoody.ca/Environment/Non-Development-Tree-Removal-Permit
- Phone: Planning Division (tree permits), 604-469-4540
- Email: Emergency tree removals, treepermits@portmoody.ca

## Key facts

- **When a permit is needed:** A permit is needed for a tree 30 cm DBH or larger; 10 cm or larger in an environmentally sensitive area or riparian zone; 10 cm or larger of arbutus, cascara, Pacific dogwood, Pacific yew, shore pine or western white pine; or 10 cm or larger on a lot with a development application. Replacement and covenant trees too.
  - Source: [Tree Management Permits, Do I need a Tree Management Permit?](https://www.portmoody.ca/business-development-and-planning/development/development-application-process/tree-management-permits/)
  - Official wording: "You must apply for a permit if the tree is:" … "≥30 cm DBH (diameter at breast height);" … "≥10 cm DBH and is one of the following protected native species: arbutus, cascara, pacific dogwood, pacific yew, shore pine, western white pine;"
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3531, s. 3.1 Protected Tree](https://www.portmoody.ca/eDocs/Get?docnumber=669735)
  - Official wording: "a Tree with a DBH equal to, or greater, than 30cm" … "a Tree with a DBH equal to or greater than 10cm located:"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Exemptions:** Exempt: pruning to best arboricultural practices, invasive species, work under BC Hydro or provincial/federal authority, City crews, and emergency removal of a tree in imminent danger (report next business day and apply for a permit). Hazard trees need a permit but pay $0.
  - Source: [Tree Management Permits, When permits are not required](https://www.portmoody.ca/business-development-and-planning/development/development-application-process/tree-management-permits/)
  - Official wording: "pruning your tree in accordance with best arboricultural practices;" … "removing an invasive species (PDF) listed by the province or Invasive Species Council of BC;" … "removing a tree due to a documented emergency, such as imminent tree failure"
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3531, s. 7.1 and 8.1](https://www.portmoody.ca/eDocs/Get?docnumber=669735)
  - Official wording: "pursuant to the Hydro and Power Authority Act or the Pipeline Act;" … "if the Tree is in imminent danger of falling and injuring persons or property."
  - Source: [Fees Bylaw, 2025, No. 3524 (consolidated), Tree Protection Bylaw Permit Fees](https://www.portmoody.ca/eDocs/Get?docnumber=669753)
  - Official wording: "Tree Permit for Hazard Tree removal $0"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** $75 for a property not subject to a development approval; $300 for RS and RT zoned residential properties (no condition stated, likely with a development approval; confirm with the City); $720 for other properties with a development approval; $0 for hazard trees.
  - Source: [Fees Bylaw, 2025, No. 3524 (consolidated), Tree Protection Bylaw Permit Fees](https://www.portmoody.ca/eDocs/Get?docnumber=669753)
  - Official wording: "Tree Permit for properties not subject to a development approval $75" … "Tree Permit for RS and RT zoned residential properties $300" … "Tree Permit for all properties (other than RS and RT zoned residential properties) subject to $720" … "Tree Permit for Hazard Tree removal $0"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Replacement trees:** Replacement trees are planted on the same lot: under 50 cm DBH, 1 medium or large (or 2 small); 50 cm or more, 2 (or 4 small); a protected tree on a lot with development approval, 2 (or 4 small); hazard tree, 1 (or 2). Security is $370 per tree on most lots ($740 for non-RS/RT lots with development approval).
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3531, s. 13.1-13.2](https://www.portmoody.ca/eDocs/Get?docnumber=669735)
  - Official wording: "the Owner must plant and maintain Replacement Trees on the same lot" … "Less than 50cm DBH 1 2" … "Equal to or greater 2 4 than 50cm DBH" … "A Protected Tree on a 2 4 property subject to Development Approval"
  - Source: [Fees Bylaw, 2025, No. 3524 (consolidated), Tree Protection Bylaw Permit Fees](https://www.portmoody.ca/eDocs/Get?docnumber=669753)
  - Official wording: "Replacement tree security and case-in-lieu for properties not subject to development $370"
  - Source: [Tree Management Permits, Application process](https://www.portmoody.ca/business-development-and-planning/development/development-application-process/tree-management-permits/)
  - Official wording: "Cash-in-lieu may be considered only if planting is not feasible."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **City trees:** Trees on parks, boulevards and street rights-of-way are City trees. Only City staff or agents may prune them without written approval. Removing one requires a permit and paying the City its cash value. Call Public Works at 604.469.4574.
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3531, s. 3.1, 6.2, 13.4(c)](https://www.portmoody.ca/eDocs/Get?docnumber=669735)
  - Official wording: "any Tree(s), including those Trees within a Hedge, on City owned, occupied, or leased property, including parks, greenspaces, walkways, medians, boulevards, and road rights of-way" … "No person other than a person employed by the City or its authorized agent shall Prune a City Tree, except if such a person received written approval from the City." … "the Tree Permit holder shall compensate the City with the cash value in accordance with Schedule"
  - Source: [Trees, Trees on public property](https://www.portmoody.ca/home-and-property/trees/)
  - Official wording: "Trees on public property are maintained by the City." … "call Public Works at 604.469.4574."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Municipal ticket: $1,000 for cutting, damaging or removing a protected tree without a permit (also for landmark or shared trees; $500 for disturbance in the root zone). In court: $1,000 to $50,000 per tree under 50 cm DBH, $3,000 to $50,000 for 50 cm or more.
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 3218, Schedule 2, Tree Protection Bylaw](https://www.portmoody.ca/eDocs/Get?docnumber=514329)
  - Official wording: "Protected Tree, a Protected Hedge," … "Cut, Damage, or Remove a 6.1, 10.1 $1,000" … "Disturbance within the Protected 6.4 $500"
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3531, s. 17.3](https://www.portmoody.ca/eDocs/Get?docnumber=669735)
  - Official wording: "a penalty of at least $1,000.00, and not more than $50,000.00, for each offence arising from the Removal, loss, or death of a Tree, Protected Tree, or Protected Hedge with a DBH of less than 50cm" … "a penalty of at least $3,000.00, and not more than $50,000.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** City of Port Moody Tree Protection Bylaw, 2026, No. 3531
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3531, s. 1.1](https://www.portmoody.ca/eDocs/Get?docnumber=669735)
  - Official wording: "City of Port Moody Tree Protection Bylaw, 2026,"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Port Moody's [Tree Protection Bylaw 3531](https://www.portmoody.ca/eDocs/Get?docnumber=669735) (replacing Bylaw 2961, adopted March 2026) requires a permit to remove:

- a tree 30 cm DBH (diameter at breast height, measured 4.5 feet above the ground) or larger;
- a tree 10 cm or larger in an environmentally sensitive area or riparian zone;
- an arbutus, cascara, Pacific dogwood, Pacific yew, shore pine or western white pine 10 cm or larger;
- a tree 10 cm or larger on a lot with a development application.

Replacement and covenant trees are also covered, and dead or dying trees need a permit check. The bylaw's wording of "Tree" is narrower than the City's page, which states the 30 cm rule for any lot.

## Steps

1. Measure the trunk's diameter 4.5 feet above the ground.
2. Apply through the City's Tree Management Permits page; staff give payment instructions.
3. Plant replacement trees on the same lot: under 50 cm DBH, 1 medium or large tree (or 2 small); 50 cm or more, 2 (or 4 small); a protected tree on a lot with development approval, 2 (or 4 small); hazard tree, 1 (or 2).

## Good to know

- Exempt: pruning to best arboricultural practices, invasive species, work under BC Hydro or provincial or federal authority, City crews, and emergency removal of a tree in imminent danger (report the next business day and apply for a permit).
- A hazard tree (rated high or extreme risk by a TRAQ-qualified arborist) needs a permit but costs $0.
- Replacement may be reduced or waived on lots with 35 to 45% or over 45% canopy cover.
- Trees on parks, boulevards and street rights-of-way are City trees. Removing one needs a permit and payment of its cash value; call Public Works at 604-469-4574.
- Unauthorized removal may mean doubled fees. A municipal ticket is $1,000 for cutting, damaging or removing a protected tree without a permit ($500 for root zone disturbance); in court the fine is $1,000 to $50,000 per tree under 50 cm DBH and $3,000 to $50,000 for 50 cm or more.

## What you'll need

- Arborist report, site plan and tree replacement plan (non-development removal)
- Photos and letter of intent only (dead tree)
- Letter of authorization if applying for the owner
- Bird nesting survey for removals from March to August (may be needed)

## Official forms and pages

- [Tree Management Permits](https://www.portmoody.ca/business-development-and-planning/development/development-application-process/tree-management-permits/)
- [Guide to Tree Management Permits for Homeowners (PDF)](https://api.ghdcdn.com/portmoody-edocs/v1/eDocs/Get?docnumber=668143)
- [Tree Protection Bylaw 3531 (PDF)](https://www.portmoody.ca/eDocs/Get?docnumber=669735)

## Related questions

- [Port Moody building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/building-permit-fees.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tree-removal.md)
- [Anmore](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/anmore/tree-removal.md)
- [Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/tree-removal.md)
- [New Westminster](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/tree-removal.md)
- [Port Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/tree-removal.md)
- [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/tree-removal.md)
- [North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/tree-removal.md)

## Sources

- [Tree Management Permits, City of Port Moody](https://www.portmoody.ca/business-development-and-planning/development/development-application-process/tree-management-permits/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Trees, City of Port Moody](https://www.portmoody.ca/home-and-property/trees/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3531 (PDF)](https://www.portmoody.ca/eDocs/Get?docnumber=669735) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees Bylaw, 2025, No. 3524 (consolidated) (PDF)](https://www.portmoody.ca/eDocs/Get?docnumber=669753) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 3218 (PDF)](https://www.portmoody.ca/eDocs/Get?docnumber=514329) (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 Port Moody. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/tree-removal/_