Richmond tree removal rules and permits
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.
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.Bulletin Tree-01 Tree Protection Bylaw 8057, Restrictions and Exemptions; Tree Protection Bylaw · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingTo 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. prohibits the topping of trees on both Private and City property |
|---|---|
| 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.Bulletin Tree-01 Tree Protection Bylaw 8057, A permit is not required; https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL805762699.pdf, s. 3.2.1; Consolidated Fees Bylaw 8636 (PDF, Tree Protection schedule), Schedule - Tree Protection, Permit Fees; Tree Protection Bylaw 8057 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 10715, November 10, 2025), s. 3.2.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingFor 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. 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. To remove a hazard tree No Fee 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 |
| 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.Consolidated Fees Bylaw 8636 (PDF, Tree Protection schedule), Schedule - Tree Protection, Permit Fees (ss. 4.2, 4.6); Bulletin Tree-01 Tree Protection Bylaw 8057, Application Process · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingOne (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 A non-refundable fee per permit application. |
| 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.Bulletin Tree-01 Tree Protection Bylaw 8057, Replacement Trees; Consolidated Fees Bylaw 8636 (PDF, Tree Protection schedule), Schedule - Tree Protection, Permit Fees (s. 4.4.1); Tree Protection Bylaw 8057 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 10715, November 10, 2025), Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA 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 - not related to works $0 per replacement tree - related to subdivision $750 per replacement tree 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 |
| 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.https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL805762699.pdf, s. 1 definition of TREE; https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL805762699.pdf, s. 3.2.1 e); Tree Protection Bylaw; MyPermit Application Portal, Building Applications; Tree Protection Bylaw 8057 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 10715, November 10, 2025), s. 1 TREE (c); s. 3.2.1 e) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingregardless 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 prohibits the topping of trees on both Private and City property Public Tree Removal Permit 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 |
| 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.Municipal Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw 7321, Schedule B 13; https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL805762699.pdf, s. 7.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingCutting 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 not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) and not more than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) |
| Bylaw | Tree Protection Bylaw No. 8057 (consolidated to Bylaw 10715, November 10, 2025)https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL805762699.pdf, title; Tree Protection Bylaw 8057 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 10715, November 10, 2025), consolidation table · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingTREE PROTECTION BYLAW NO. 8057 Bylaw 10715 November 10, 2025 |
How it works
The City of Richmond's Tree Protection Bylaw 8057 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
- 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.
- 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.
- For a hazard tree, there is no fee, but you need a report from a certified tree risk assessor.
- 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
The same question in other places
Vancouver · Burnaby · North Vancouver · New Westminster · Delta · District of North Vancouver
Sources
- Tree Protection Bylaw 8057 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 10715, November 10, 2025), City of Richmond (read 2026-11-05)
- Tree Protection Bylaw, City of Richmond (read 2026-11-05)
- Bulletin Tree-01 Tree Protection Bylaw 8057 (PDF), City of Richmond (read 2026-11-05)
- Consolidated Fees Bylaw 8636 (PDF, Tree Protection schedule), City of Richmond (read 2026-11-05)
- Municipal Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw 7321 (PDF), City of Richmond (read 2026-11-05)
- MyPermit Application Portal, City of Richmond (read 2026-11-05)
- 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. How answers are checked.