--- title: Richmond tree removal rules and permits question: "Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property?" place: Richmond, British Columbia, Canada place_path: ca/bc/richmond category: Building, renovating and your property owner: municipal owner_body: City of Richmond sources_read: 2026-11-05 review: machine_checked canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/tree-removal/" json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/tree-removal.json" --- # Richmond tree removal rules and permits **Question:** Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property? **Short answer:** Usually yes. Richmond's Tree Protection Bylaw 8057 requires a City permit to cut or remove a tree with a trunk 20 cm or more across at 1.4 m high, and any tree in an environmentally sensitive area. The application fee is $70 for one tree. Replacement trees are required. **Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Richmond, https://www.richmond.ca) **Cost:** $70 for one tree per lot in 12 months; $84.25 per tree for two or more; no fee for a hazard tree; $70 to renew, extend or modify. All application fees are non-refundable. **How long:** The City's pages do not state a processing time. **Where:** - Online: MyPermit (Private Tree Removal), https://www.richmond.ca/business-development/e-plan/mypermit.htm - Phone: Tree Protection, 604-276-4158 - Email: Tree Protection, TreeProtection@richmond.ca ## Key facts - **When a permit is needed:** A permit is needed to cut or remove a tree with a trunk diameter of 20 cm or more at 1.4 m height, capable of reaching 4.5 m, on private or City land. Any tree in an environmentally sensitive area needs a permit regardless of size. Topping is also prohibited. - Source: [Bulletin Tree-01 Tree Protection Bylaw 8057, Restrictions and Exemptions](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/Bulletin_Tree_115118.pdf) - Official wording: "To cut or remove a tree having a trunk diameter at breast height (dbh) measuring 20 centimetres" … "or larger, and capable of reaching a height of 4.5 meters" … "To cut or remove any tree within an environmentally sensitive area, regardless of size, unless an exemption applies." - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw](https://www.richmond.ca/services/climate/environment/treeremoval.htm) - Official wording: "prohibits the topping of trees on both Private and City property" - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 - **Exemptions:** No permit for trees under 20 cm outside environmentally sensitive areas, emergency removal of a tree severely damaged by natural causes and in imminent danger of falling, normal pruning, hedge pruning, farm operations under the Right to Farm Act, or where an approved development permit or rezoning covers the tree. Hazard trees need no application fee. - Source: [Bulletin Tree-01 Tree Protection Bylaw 8057, A permit is not required](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/Bulletin_Tree_115118.pdf) - Official wording: "For any tree under 20 centimetres (7 ⅞ inches) dbh unless it is in an environmentally sensitive area." … "For the normal pruning of trees or hedges following ANSI A300 pruning standards." … "For necessary farm operations under the Farm Practices Protection (Right to Farm) Act." - Source: [https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL805762699.pdf, s. 3.2.1](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL805762699.pdf) - Official wording: "a development permit and/or rezoning has been approved which addresses the removal of the tree" … "poses an imminent danger" … "A permit is not required for the pruning of a hedge." - Source: [Consolidated Fees Bylaw 8636 (PDF, Tree Protection schedule), Schedule - Tree Protection, Permit Fees](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_8636_Consolidated_with_ABLs_10699__10702_and_10720_11102578073.pdf) - Official wording: "To remove a hazard tree No Fee" - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw 8057 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 10715, November 10, 2025), s. 3.2.1](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_8057_Consolidated_with_ABL_1071578098.pdf) - Official wording: "the tree cutting or removal is necessary for the purposes of farm operations as defined in the Farm Practices Protection (Right to Farm) Act" … "poses an imminent danger of falling and injuring persons or property" - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 - **Fee:** Non-refundable application fee: $70 for one tree per lot in a 12-month period, or $84.25 per tree for two or more. Renewal, extension or modification: $70. No fee to remove a hazard tree. - Source: [Consolidated Fees Bylaw 8636 (PDF, Tree Protection schedule), Schedule - Tree Protection, Permit Fees (ss. 4.2, 4.6)](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_8636_Consolidated_with_ABLs_10699__10702_and_10720_11102578073.pdf) - Official wording: "One (1) tree per parcel during a 12 month period $70.00" … "Two (2) or more trees $84.25 per tree" … "Permit renewal, extension or modification fee $70.00" … "To remove a hazard tree No Fee" - Source: [Bulletin Tree-01 Tree Protection Bylaw 8057, Application Process](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/Bulletin_Tree_115118.pdf) - Official wording: "A non-refundable fee per permit application." - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 - **Replacement trees:** Not tied to development on a one-family lot: 1:1, 6 cm caliper deciduous or 3.5 m high, conifers 3.5 m. Development-related permits and other parcels: 2:1, 8 cm caliper or 4 m high, conifers 4 m. Significant tree (92 cm dbh or more): 3:1. Planted on the same lot unless the City directs otherwise. Security deposit $0 per tree, $750 for subdivision. - Source: [Bulletin Tree-01 Tree Protection Bylaw 8057, Replacement Trees](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/Bulletin_Tree_115118.pdf) - Official wording: "A required minimum replacement tree size of 6.0 cm caliper deciduous and 3.5 m high coniferous for" … "A required minimum replacement tree size of 8.0 cm caliper deciduous and 4.0 m high coniferous for" … "Replacement trees are to be planted on the same lot as the tree removal" - Source: [Consolidated Fees Bylaw 8636 (PDF, Tree Protection schedule), Schedule - Tree Protection, Permit Fees (s. 4.4.1)](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_8636_Consolidated_with_ABLs_10699__10702_and_10720_11102578073.pdf) - Official wording: "- not related to works $0 per replacement tree" … "- related to subdivision $750 per replacement tree" - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw 8057 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 10715, November 10, 2025), Schedule A](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_8057_Consolidated_with_ABL_1071578098.pdf) - Official wording: "the replacement trees shall be provided at a ratio of 3:1 and planted in compliance with the type and size requirements in Section 1 or 2 above, as applicable." … "means any tree with a dbh of 92.0 cm caliper" - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 - **City trees:** Trees on City land are protected whatever their size, and cutting or removing one needs a permit. Topping is prohibited on private and City property. The City or its agents may remove trees on public property without a permit. - Source: [https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL805762699.pdf, s. 1 definition of TREE](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL805762699.pdf) - Official wording: "regardless of height or dbh, where located on land that is in the ownership or possession of the City" - Source: [https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL805762699.pdf, s. 3.2.1 e)](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL805762699.pdf) - Official wording: "the tree cutting or removal is carried out by the City or its agents on public property" - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw](https://www.richmond.ca/services/climate/environment/treeremoval.htm) - Official wording: "prohibits the topping of trees on both Private and City property" - Source: [MyPermit Application Portal, Building Applications](https://www.richmond.ca/business-development/e-plan/mypermit.htm) - Official wording: "Public Tree Removal Permit" - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw 8057 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 10715, November 10, 2025), s. 1 TREE (c); s. 3.2.1 e)](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_8057_Consolidated_with_ABL_1071578098.pdf) - Official wording: "regardless of height or dbh, where located on land that is in the ownership or possession of the City" … "the tree cutting or removal is carried out by the City or its agents on public property" - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 - **Fine:** Municipal ticket: $1,000 for cutting or removing a tree without a valid permit; $750 for damaging a tree within the drip line. On court conviction, $1,000 to $50,000, plus replanting. - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw 7321, Schedule B 13](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_7321_Consolidated_with_ABL_10667_06092577123.pdf) - Official wording: "Cutting or removing any tree or replacement tree without a 3.1.1 $1,000" … "Causing physical damage to any tree within the dripline 3.1.3 $750" - Source: [https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL805762699.pdf, s. 7.3](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL805762699.pdf) - Official wording: "not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) and not more than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00)" - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 - **Bylaw:** Tree Protection Bylaw No. 8057 (consolidated to Bylaw 10715, November 10, 2025) - Source: [https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL805762699.pdf, title](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL805762699.pdf) - Official wording: "TREE PROTECTION BYLAW NO. 8057" - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw 8057 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 10715, November 10, 2025), consolidation table](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_8057_Consolidated_with_ABL_1071578098.pdf) - Official wording: "Bylaw 10715 November 10, 2025" - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 ## How it works The City of Richmond's [Tree Protection Bylaw 8057](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_8057_Consolidated_with_ABL_1071578098.pdf) protects trees on private and City land. A permit is needed to cut or remove a tree with a trunk diameter of 20 cm or more at 1.4 m height that can reach 4.5 m. Any tree in an environmentally sensitive area needs a permit whatever its size. Topping is also prohibited. ## Steps 1. Measure the trunk 1.4 m above the ground. If it is 20 cm or more across, or the tree is in a sensitive area, you need a permit. 2. Apply on MyPermit (Private Tree Removal) and pay the non-refundable fee: $70 for one tree per lot in 12 months, or $84.25 per tree for two or more. 3. For a hazard tree, there is no fee, but you need a report from a certified tree risk assessor. 4. Plant the replacement trees on the same lot unless the City directs otherwise. Where removal is not tied to development on a one-family lot, replacement is 1:1 (6 cm caliper deciduous or 3.5 m high conifer). For development permits and other parcels it is 2:1 (8 cm caliper or 4 m high conifer). For a significant tree (92 cm or more), it is 3:1. ## Good to know - No permit is needed for trees under 20 cm outside sensitive areas, an emergency removal of a tree severely damaged by natural causes and in imminent danger of falling, normal or hedge pruning, farm operations under the Right to Farm Act, or where an approved development permit or rezoning covers the tree. - Trees on City land are protected whatever their size. Replacement trees are themselves protected. No replacement is required for a hazard tree. - Fine: a municipal ticket is $1,000 for cutting or removing a tree without a valid permit and $750 for damaging a tree within its drip line. On court conviction the fine is $1,000 to $50,000, plus replanting. ## Official forms and pages - [Tree Protection Bylaw page and application forms](https://www.richmond.ca/services/climate/environment/treeremoval.htm) - [Tree Protection Bylaw 8057 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 10715)](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_8057_Consolidated_with_ABL_1071578098.pdf) - [Bulletin Tree-01, Tree Protection Bylaw 8057 (PDF)](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/Bulletin_Tree_115118.pdf) ## Related questions - [Richmond building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/building-permit.md) - [Richmond fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/fence-rules.md) ## The same question elsewhere - [Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tree-removal.md) - [Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/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) - [New Westminster](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/tree-removal.md) - [Delta](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/delta/tree-removal.md) - [District of North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/tree-removal.md) ## Sources - [Tree Protection Bylaw 8057 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 10715, November 10, 2025), City of Richmond](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_8057_Consolidated_with_ABL_1071578098.pdf) (read 2026-11-05) - [Tree Protection Bylaw, City of Richmond](https://www.richmond.ca/services/climate/environment/treeremoval.htm) (read 2026-11-05) - [Bulletin Tree-01 Tree Protection Bylaw 8057 (PDF), City of Richmond](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/Bulletin_Tree_115118.pdf) (read 2026-11-05) - [Consolidated Fees Bylaw 8636 (PDF, Tree Protection schedule), City of Richmond](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_8636_Consolidated_with_ABLs_10699__10702_and_10720_11102578073.pdf) (read 2026-11-05) - [Municipal Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw 7321 (PDF), City of Richmond](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_7321_Consolidated_with_ABL_10667_06092577123.pdf) (read 2026-11-05) - [MyPermit Application Portal, City of Richmond](https://www.richmond.ca/business-development/e-plan/mypermit.htm) (read 2026-11-05) - [https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL805762699.pdf](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL805762699.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 Richmond. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/tree-removal/_