Sidney tree removal rules and permits

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

Sidney, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

Short answer

In Sidney you need a permit to cut, remove or damage a protected tree anywhere in the Town, and to prune it beyond set limits. The fee is $250 for the first tree and $50 for each additional tree. Cutting one without a permit can bring a $1,000 municipal ticket.

Key facts

When a permit is needed	A permit is needed to cut, remove or damage a 'Protected Tree' anywhere in the Town, and to prune it beyond the limits in the bylaw. Protected trees: Douglas-fir, Bigleaf Maple, Grand Fir and Western Redcedar 1.2 m tall or more; Arbutus, Cascara, Garry Oak, Pacific Dogwood, Seaside Juniper, Shore Pine and Western Yew 3 cm diameter or more; replacement trees; trees required or retained under a development permit; trees in environmental development permit areas; trees on highways, parks and Town land; and any tree over 60 cm diameter.Tree Preservation Bylaw No. 2138, definitions and s. 4.1, 6.1; Tree Preservation Bylaw, Protected Trees · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Protected Species means Douglas-fir (Pseudotssuga menziesii), Bigleaf Maple (Acer having a Diameter greater than 60cm; This Bylaw applies to all Protected Trees within the Town except as set out in sections 4.2 No person shall Cut, remove or damage any Protected Tree, or allow any Protected Tree to Any tree having a diameter greater than 60 cm
Exemptions	The bylaw does not apply to protected trees cut for airport navigational safety or under the Railway Safety Act, Hydro and Power Authority Act or Oil and Gas Activities Act, or to trees on Town land cut by the Town. In an emergency (imminent danger of falling) a tree may be cut without a permit, but a permit must be applied for by the next business day and the tree stays until a Town employee confirms it. Hazardous or unsound trees may get the fee waived.Tree Preservation Bylaw No. 2138, s. 4.2, 4.3, 7, 8.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording This Bylaw does not apply to Protected Trees that are altered, Cut, damaged or removed to In the event that a Protected Tree or any part thereof is in imminent danger of falling and but shall retroactively apply for a Tree Permit within the next business day. structurally unsound may request to have their Tree Permit fee waived
Fee	$250 to cut or remove the first protected tree and $50 for each additional tree; $50 to prune the first protected tree (outside the free pruning in s. 6.3) and $10 for each additional. Fees are non-refundable and paid before the permit is issued.Tree Preservation Bylaw No. 2138, s. 11.7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording To Cut (other than Prune) or remove first Protected Tree To Cut (other than Prune) or remove each additional Tree
Replacement trees	Replacement trees are required: Garry Oak, Arbutus, Dogwood, Yew, Juniper, Cascara and Shore Pine: 0 under 3 cm, 1 for 3 to 20 cm, 2 for 20 to 40 cm, 3 over 40 cm; Douglas-fir, Grand Fir, Redcedar and Bigleaf Maple: 0 under 1.2 m tall, 1 for 1.2 to 6 m, 2 for 6 to 12 m, 3 over 12 m; others 2 (1 in a hedge). Security is $750 per replacement tree. $750 may be paid instead of planting only if space or soil conditions would not let a tree survive.Tree Preservation Bylaw No. 2138, s. 10.1, 10.2, 11.8 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Every person who Cuts, removes, or damages or suffers or permits the Cutting, removal or All other Protected Trees except those forming part of a Hedge seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) in lieu of each in the amount of seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) for every will only be allowed in cases where, in the judgement of the Director, space or soil conditions on a Lot do not permit a reasonable chance of replacement tree survival.
City trees	The Parks Department authorizes removal of any tree on public property, including parks and boulevards. Owners unsure whether a tree is on their property should contact Parks (250-656-1034, engineeringservices@sidney.ca).Tree Removal and Pruning Permits, Trees on Public Property · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording The Parks Department is also responsible for authorizing the removal of any tree on public property including parks and boulevards. 250-656-1034
Fine	Municipal ticket: $1,000 for removing, damaging or pruning a protected tree without a permit (s. 6.1, 6.4, 6.5). Bylaw notice: $500 ($400 if paid early). On court conviction the bylaw sets a fine of $1,000 to $50,000.Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2180, Schedule 14; Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2239, Schedule C; Tree Preservation Bylaw No. 2138, s. 12.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Protected Tree Without 6.1 $1000.00 $1000.00 Remove or 6.1 $500.00 $400.00 N/A a fine of not less than $1,000, and not greater than $50,000;
Bylaw	Tree Preservation Bylaw No. 2138Tree Preservation Bylaw No. 2138, title; Tree Preservation Bylaw, page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording of Bylaws must be obtained from the Municipal Clerk. TOWN OF SIDNEY BYLAW NO. 2138 (CONSOLIDATED) Amendment Bylaws incorporated as listed at the end of the document. Town of Sidney Tree Preservation Bylaw No. 2138 regulates the cutting, pruning, and removal of trees and sets

How it works

Under the Tree Preservation Bylaw No. 2138 a permit is needed to cut, remove or damage a Protected Tree anywhere in the Town, and to prune it beyond the bylaw's limits. Protected trees are:

Douglas-fir, Bigleaf Maple, Grand Fir and Western Redcedar 1.2 m tall or more.
Arbutus, Cascara, Garry Oak, Pacific Dogwood, Seaside Juniper, Shore Pine and Western Yew 3 cm diameter or more.
Replacement trees, trees required or retained under a development permit or in environmental development permit areas, trees on highways, parks and Town land, and any tree over 60 cm diameter.

Diameter is measured 1.4 m above ground. Pruning without a permit is allowed up to 20% of the crown a season, and not for branches over 5 cm (2.5 cm for Arbutus, Dogwood, Garry Oak).

Steps

Check whether your tree is protected and on your property. If unsure, contact Parks (250-656-1034, engineeringservices@sidney.ca), which authorizes removal of any tree on public property, including parks and boulevards.
Apply for the permit and pay the fee before it is issued. Fees are non-refundable.
Plant replacement trees. Replacement counts: for Garry Oak, Arbutus, Dogwood, Yew, Juniper, Cascara and Shore Pine, 0 under 3 cm, 1 for 3 to 20 cm, 2 for 20 to 40 cm, 3 over 40 cm; for Douglas-fir, Grand Fir, Redcedar and Bigleaf Maple, 0 under 1.2 m tall, 1 for 1.2 to 6 m, 2 for 6 to 12 m, 3 over 12 m; others 2 (1 in a hedge). Security is $750 per replacement tree. You may pay $750 instead of planting only if space or soil conditions would not let a tree survive.

Good to know

If a tree is in imminent danger of falling you may cut it without a permit, but you must apply by the next business day and the tree stays until a Town employee confirms it. Hazardous or unsound trees may get the fee waived.
The bylaw does not apply to trees cut for airport navigational safety, under certain railway, hydro or oil and gas Acts, or by the Town on Town land.
Fines: a municipal ticket is $1,000 for removing, damaging or pruning a protected tree without a permit; a bylaw notice is $500 ($400 if paid early). On court conviction the bylaw sets a fine of $1,000 to $50,000.

Official forms and pages

Tree Preservation Bylaw No. 2138 (PDF)

The same question in other places

North Saanich · Central Saanich · Highlands · Saanich · View Royal · Langford

Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Tree Preservation Bylaw No. 2138 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
Tree Preservation Bylaw, Town of Sidney (read 2026-11-06)
Tree Removal and Pruning Permits, Town of Sidney (read 2026-11-06)
Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2180 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2239 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)

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