---
title: Saanich tree removal rules and permits
question: "Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property in Saanich?"
place: Saanich, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/saanich
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Saanich
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/tree-removal/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/tree-removal.json"
---

# Saanich tree removal rules and permits

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

**Short answer:** Yes, in Saanich for protected trees. These include Arbutus, Garry oak, Pacific dogwood and Pacific yew, other large trees, and any tree 60 cm or more across. You need a tree cutting permit from the District. A bylaw notice for cutting a protected tree is $500 per tree.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Saanich, https://www.saanich.ca)  
**Cost:** No fee for hazard, utility, foundation, unsuitable-tree, fire-hazard, agricultural or rural allowance removals. For building footprint, driveway, parking, septic or services removals: $50 plus $30 per additional tree, or $100 plus $30 if a rezoning or development permit is also needed.  
**How long:** The sources read do not state a processing time. Contact Parks.  
**Where:**
- Online: Application for Tree Cutting Permit, https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/natural-environment/trees/application-for-tree-cutting-permit.html
- Phone: Saanich Parks (tree permit fees), 250-475-5522
- Phone: Bylaw Enforcement, 250-475-5456

## Key facts

- **When a permit is needed:** Yes, for protected trees: Arbutus, Garry oak, Pacific dogwood and Pacific yew (2 m tall or 4 cm thick); Douglas-fir, grand fir, bigleaf maple and western red cedar 30 cm or more across; any tree 60 cm or more; streamside-area, replacement, nest and Saanich-owned trees. Also any tree whose removal needs an OCP development permit; over 2 trees a year on steep-slope parcels.
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw, 2014, No. 9272, s. 1 definition of Protected Tree](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/tree-protection-bylaw-2014-no-9272.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Arbutus (Arbutus menziesii);" … "Garry Oak (Quercus garryana);" … "any tree having a D.B.H. that is 60 centimetres or more;" … "any tree growing on Saanich-owned property." … "No person shall alter, cut, damage or remove any tree, the removal of which requires a" … "development permit under the Saanich Official Community Plan, prior to the issuance of a" … "No person shall cut down more than 2 trees in any one calendar year growing on"
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw, 2014, No. 9272, ss. 7, 9](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/tree-protection-bylaw-2014-no-9272.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No person shall alter, cut, damage or remove any protected tree" … "No person shall cut down more than 2 trees in any one calendar year growing on"
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw, Tree Protection Bylaw page](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/natural-environment/trees/tree-protection-bylaw.html)
  - Official wording: "Yes - even protected trees that are dead or dying require a permit."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Exemptions:** Not covered by the bylaw: Saanich and CRD park operations, federal or provincial land cut by that body, and ALR land cut for farming. Trees below the protected sizes need no permit (but see s. 8). Pruning to sound practice needs no permit (not Significant Trees). Hazard trees need a permit (s. 19), except imminent natural danger: cut, report next business day.
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw, 2014, No. 9272, ss. 4, 5, 10, 17](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/tree-protection-bylaw-2014-no-9272.pdf)
  - Official wording: "ALR Land that are altered, damaged, cut or removed for the purpose of agricultural" … "A tree cutting permit is not required for the pruning of a protected tree, other than a Significant Tree" … "the owner may cut the tree or have it cut, but shall report the cutting to the Director of Parks and Recreation within the next business day" … "the owner may cut the tree or have it cut, but shall report the cutting to the" … "Where the applicant has demonstrated that the protected tree is a hazardous tree or"
  - Source: [Application for Tree Cutting Permit, Application page](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/natural-environment/trees/application-for-tree-cutting-permit.html)
  - Official wording: "You generally do not need a permit to perform basic pruning on a protected tree"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** No fee for permits on hazard, utility, foundation, unsuitable-tree, fire-hazard, agricultural or rural-allowance grounds. For trees removed for a building footprint, driveway, parking, septic or services: $50 plus $30 per additional tree, or $100 plus $30 if a rezoning or development permit is also needed. Amending a permit $40.
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw, 2014, No. 9272, ss. 30, 31, 32, 34](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/tree-protection-bylaw-2014-no-9272.pdf)
  - Official wording: "There will be no permit fee for tree cutting permits issued pursuant to s. 18, 19 a), b), c)," … "$50.00" … "$100.00" … "$30.00 per" … "non-refundable administration fee in the amount of $40.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Replacement trees:** Replacement trees are required: 1 per tree for hazard, utility, foundation, unsuitable-tree and rural-allowance removals; 2 for building footprint, driveway or septic removals; 3 for road or subdivision services. Min. size 4 cm (deciduous) or 3 m tall (conifer). Security deposit $300 per tree (first group), $700 (others). None for fire-hazard or agricultural removals.
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw, 2014, No. 9272, ss. 40-45](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/tree-protection-bylaw-2014-no-9272.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No replacement trees are required for protected trees permitted for removal under s. 19 e)" … "For each tree altered, cut, damaged or removed under sections 19 a), b), c), d) or g)," … "one (1) replacement tree is required;" … "two (2)" … "three (3)" … "$300.00 per" … "$700.00 per" … "not less than 3 metres in height"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **City trees:** Trees on Saanich-owned land are protected trees. You cannot prune a tree on municipal land, including boulevards and parks; contact Parks for any tree work on public property.
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw, 2014, No. 9272, s. 1](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/tree-protection-bylaw-2014-no-9272.pdf)
  - Official wording: "any tree growing on Saanich-owned property."
  - Source: [Application for Tree Cutting Permit, Application page](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/natural-environment/trees/application-for-tree-cutting-permit.html)
  - Official wording: "You cannot prune a tree growing on municipally owned land, including trees on boulevards or in parks."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Cutting a protected tree: Bylaw notice $500 per tree ($450 if paid within 14 days). Municipal ticket: $1,000 per tree. On conviction in court: not less than $1,000 first offence, $2,000 after. Significant tree: $5,000 minimum on conviction.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, Schedule 21](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/bylawnoticeenforcementbylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Cutting down a protected tree 7 $500.00 $50.00"
  - Source: [Ticket Bylaw, 2010, No. 9029, Schedule 21](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/ticket-bylaw-2010-no-9029.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Cutting down a protected tree 7 $1,000 per tree"
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, s. 3.1](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/bylawnoticeenforcementbylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "if received by the District within 14 days of the person receiving or being presumed to" … "if received by the District more than 28 days after the person received or is"
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw, 2014, No. 9272, s. 65](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/tree-protection-bylaw-2014-no-9272.pdf)
  - Official wording: "is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than $1,000 for a first" … "a fine of not less than $5,000."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Tree Protection Bylaw, 2014, No. 9272
  - Source: [Tree Protection Bylaw, 2014, No. 9272, title](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/tree-protection-bylaw-2014-no-9272.pdf)
  - Official wording: "TREE PROTECTION BYLAW, 2014, NO. 9272"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The [Tree Protection Bylaw, 2014, No. 9272](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/tree-protection-bylaw-2014-no-9272.pdf) requires a permit to cut a protected tree. Protected trees include:

- Arbutus, Garry oak, Pacific dogwood and Pacific yew (2 m tall or 4 cm thick).
- Douglas-fir, grand fir, bigleaf maple and western red cedar 30 cm or more across.
- Any tree 60 cm or more across.
- Streamside-area, replacement, nest and Saanich-owned trees.
- Any tree whose removal needs an Official Community Plan development permit. Do not cut it before the permit.

On steep-slope parcels, more than 2 trees a year need a permit.

Not covered: Saanich and CRD park operations, federal or provincial land cut by that body, and ALR land cut for farming. Trees below the protected sizes need no permit. Pruning to sound practice needs no permit, except for Significant Trees.

## Steps

1. Check whether your tree is protected, using the sizes above.
2. Apply for a tree cutting permit through the District.
3. If a replacement is required, plant it and pay the security deposit.

## Good to know

- Replacement trees: 1 per tree for hazard, utility, foundation, unsuitable-tree and rural-allowance removals; 2 for building footprint, driveway or septic removals; 3 for road or subdivision services. Minimum size is 4 cm (deciduous) or 3 m tall (conifer). The security deposit is $300 per tree (first group) or $700 (others). None are required for fire-hazard or agricultural removals. Cash-in-lieu of $300 or $700 per tree applies where the lot cannot fit the replacements.
- Hazard trees need a permit. The exception is imminent natural danger: cut it, then report the next business day. Dead or dying protected trees still need a permit.
- Trees on Saanich-owned land are protected. You cannot prune a tree on municipal land, including boulevards and parks. Contact Parks.
- Amending a permit costs $40.
- Fines for cutting a protected tree: a bylaw notice is $500 per tree ($450 if paid within 14 days); a municipal ticket is $1,000 per tree. On conviction in court, the fine is not less than $1,000 for a first offence and $2,000 after. For a Significant Tree it is at least $5,000. Replacement trees may also be required.

## Official forms and pages

- [Application for Tree Cutting Permit](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/natural-environment/trees/application-for-tree-cutting-permit.html)
- [Tree Protection Bylaw, 2014, No. 9272 (PDF)](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/tree-protection-bylaw-2014-no-9272.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Saanich bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/bylaw-fines.md)
- [Saanich zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Saanich building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/building-permit.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tree-removal.md)
- [Oak Bay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/tree-removal.md)
- [Esquimalt](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/tree-removal.md)
- [Victoria](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/tree-removal.md)
- [View Royal](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/tree-removal.md)
- [Central Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/tree-removal.md)
- [Colwood](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/tree-removal.md)

## Sources

- [Tree Protection Bylaw, 2014, No. 9272 (PDF)](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/tree-protection-bylaw-2014-no-9272.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Tree Protection Bylaw, District of Saanich](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/natural-environment/trees/tree-protection-bylaw.html) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Application for Tree Cutting Permit, District of Saanich](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/natural-environment/trees/application-for-tree-cutting-permit.html) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw (PDF)](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/bylawnoticeenforcementbylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Ticket Bylaw, 2010, No. 9029 (PDF)](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/ticket-bylaw-2010-no-9029.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)

_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 District of Saanich. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/tree-removal/_