Port Moody tree removal rules and permits

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

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

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.

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.Tree Management Permits, Do I need a Tree Management Permit?; Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3531, s. 3.1 Protected Tree · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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; a Tree with a DBH equal to, or greater, than 30cm a Tree with a DBH equal to or greater than 10cm located:
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.Tree Management Permits, When permits are not required; Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3531, s. 7.1 and 8.1; Fees Bylaw, 2025, No. 3524 (consolidated), Tree Protection Bylaw Permit Fees · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 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. Tree Permit for Hazard Tree removal $0
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.Fees Bylaw, 2025, No. 3524 (consolidated), Tree Protection Bylaw Permit Fees · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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
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).Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3531, s. 13.1-13.2; Fees Bylaw, 2025, No. 3524 (consolidated), Tree Protection Bylaw Permit Fees; Tree Management Permits, Application process · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 Replacement tree security and case-in-lieu for properties not subject to development $370 Cash-in-lieu may be considered only if planting is not feasible.
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.Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3531, s. 3.1, 6.2, 13.4(c); Trees, Trees on public property · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 Trees on public property are maintained by the City. call Public Works at 604.469.4574.
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.Municipal Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 3218, Schedule 2, Tree Protection Bylaw; Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3531, s. 17.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 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
Bylaw	City of Port Moody Tree Protection Bylaw, 2026, No. 3531Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3531, s. 1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording City of Port Moody Tree Protection Bylaw, 2026,

How it works

Port Moody's Tree Protection Bylaw 3531 (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

Measure the trunk's diameter 4.5 feet above the ground.
Apply through the City's Tree Management Permits page; staff give payment instructions.
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

The same question in other places

Anmore · Coquitlam · New Westminster · Port Coquitlam · Burnaby · North Vancouver

Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Tree Management Permits, City of Port Moody (read 2026-11-05)
Trees, City of Port Moody (read 2026-11-05)
Tree Protection Bylaw No. 3531 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Fees Bylaw, 2025, No. 3524 (consolidated) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Municipal Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 3218 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)

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