View Royal tree removal rules and permits
Do I need a permit to cut down a tree on my property?
Short answer
Often yes. In the Town of View Royal you need a Tree Permit to cut or alter a Protected Tree: listed native species, any tree over 20 cm DBH, any tree on Town land, and trees on a steep slope or within 30 m of a watercourse. A regular request has no fee, but you usually plant 2 replacements per tree.
Key facts
| When a permit is needed | A Tree Permit is needed to cut or alter a Protected Tree: garry oak, arbutus, dogwood, yew, Douglas and grand fir, bigleaf maple, Sitka spruce, red cedar, shore pine, nest trees, trees on Town land, any tree over 20 cm DBH; also trees on steep slopes or within 30 m of a watercourse. In OCP watercourse, shoreline and sensitive ecosystem areas, removing vegetation needs a development permit.Sources differ: The Town's Tree Removal page lists 30 cm DBH for large trees; the bylaw text (consolidated, as amended by Bylaw 1145) says 20 cm. The bylaw is followed here. Roots inside a Protected Root Zone are also covered (s. 4.1.2). The Tree Protection Bylaw page describes the watercourse setback as 30 m.Tree Protection Bylaw 1069, 2022 (PDF, consolidated, as amended by Bylaw 1145), ss. 2.2, 4.1, 4.3, 4.4; Tree Removal or Alterations, Tree Removal or Alterations page; Official Community Plan Bylaw 1180, 2026, Development Permit Areas: Natural Watercourse and Shoreline; Sensitive Terrestrial Ecosystems · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingany Tree having a diameter greater than 20 centimeters D.B.H.; and No person shall carry out any of the following activities without first obtaining a Tree Permit issued Alter or Cut any Tree growing on a Steep Slope; or No person shall Cut or Alter a Tree within 30 meters of a Watercourse without a Tree Permit. Tree Permits are required for the removal or alteration of trees designated as a Protected Tree. any tree having a diameter greater than 30cm D.B.H.; and Alter lands, including soil disturbing activities and removing or altering vegetation; DEVELOPMENT PERMIT AREA: SENSITIVE TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS |
|---|---|
| Exemptions | No permit is needed for a tree that is not a Protected Tree, for cutting a branch under 10 cm in diameter, or for pruning a Protected Tree done by a Certified Arborist. Also exempt: Town work on its own trees, trees described in s. 50(1)(a)-(c) of the Community Charter, and utility work under provincial law. An owner may cut a Protected Tree severely damaged in the past 24 hours and in imminent danger of injuring people or property, but must contact the Director within one business day with photos.Tree Protection Bylaw 1069, 2022 (PDF, consolidated, as amended by Bylaw 1145), ss. 4.5, 4.6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordinga Tree Permit is not required under this Bylaw if the tree is not a Protected Tree; Cutting of a Branch of a Protected Tree that is less than 10 centimeters in diameter; Pruning of a Protected Tree if completed by a Certified Arborist. Trees described in s. 50 (1) (a), (b) and (c) of the Community Charter; has been severely damaged within the preceding 24-hour period; and contact the Director within one Business Day of the Alteration or Cutting; and |
| Fee | No fee for a regular tree removal or alteration request ($0). Priority processing is $100 and a re-inspection is $100. If two replacement trees per removed tree cannot be planted, the Director may accept $700 per replacement tree.Fees and Charges Bylaw 958, consolidated to September 2026, Schedule A, Application for Permit - Tree Removal/Alteration; Tree Protection Bylaw, Tree Protection Bylaw page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAs per Section 5.8.1 of Bylaw $0.00 tree No. 1069 Priority Processing Fee $100.00 applicant cannot comply with $700.00 per As per Section 5.21 of Bylaw Re-inspection Fee $100.00 The replacement tree cost for cash-in-lieu (i.e. where a replacement tree cannot be accommodated on a property) has been increased from $500.00 to $700.00 per replacement |
| Replacement trees | Two replacement trees must be planted for each Protected Tree removed, within one year of the permit (or before occupancy if required by a development permit). The Town may require security of 120% of the cost of buying, planting and maintaining them for one year. If there is not room on the lot, a fee per tree may be accepted instead, or trees may be planted on Town property at the Director's discretion.Tree Protection Bylaw 1069, 2022 (PDF, consolidated, as amended by Bylaw 1145), ss. 5.10, 5.17, 5.18, 5.20, 5.21; Tree Protection Bylaw, Tree Protection Bylaw page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingFor each one Protected Tree removed by a Tree Permit holder, two Replacement Trees shall be security in the amount of 120% of the total cost of the purchase, planting and one within one (1) year of Tree Permit issuance, or If there is insufficient area on a Parcel to accommodate the required Replacement Trees The replacement tree exemption for protected trees located within the building envelope, as approved under building plans/permits, has been removed |
| City trees | Any tree growing on Town-owned property is a Protected Tree, so private owners need a permit to cut or alter it. An owner whose lot abuts Town land may prune for aesthetic reasons only with the Director's permission, done by a Certified Arborist.Tree Protection Bylaw 1069, 2022 (PDF, consolidated, as amended by Bylaw 1145), ss. 2.2.12, 5.22.8; Tree Removal or Alterations, Tree Removal or Alterations page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingany Tree growing on Town-owned property; Pruning for aesthetic reasons may be performed by an Owner whose Parcel abuts Town-owned land with permission from the Director. This Pruning must be carried out by a Certified Arborist any tree growing on Town-owned property; |
| Fine | Municipal ticket: $1,000 to $50,000 for cutting, altering or damaging a Protected Tree; $1,000 for damaging roots, cutting on a steep slope or in a watercourse; $700 for failing to plant or maintain replacement trees. On conviction the bylaw fine is $1,000 to $50,000, with a separate offence for each tree and each day.Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 643 (PDF, to May 2026), Schedule 5; Tree Protection Bylaw 1069, 2022 (PDF, consolidated, as amended by Bylaw 1145), ss. 7.1-7.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingCut/alter/damage protected tree 4.1.1 $1,000 to $50,000 Fail to plant replacement trees 5.17 – 5.18 $ 700.00 not less than $1,000 and not more than $50,000. a separate offence is committed in respect of each Protected Tree. |
| Bylaw | Tree Protection Bylaw No. 1069, 2022 (as amended by Bylaw No. 1145)Tree Protection Bylaw 1069, 2022 (PDF, consolidated, as amended by Bylaw 1145), title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBYLAW NO. 1069 As amended by Bylaw No. 1145 Tree Protection Bylaw No. 1069, 2022 |
How it works
Under Tree Protection Bylaw 1069, the Town of View Royal requires a Tree Permit to cut or alter a Protected Tree. Protected Trees include garry oak, arbutus, dogwood, yew, Douglas and grand fir, bigleaf maple, Sitka spruce, western red cedar and shore pine, trees with a raptor, osprey or heron nest, any tree on Town land, and any tree over 20 cm DBH. A permit is also needed for a tree on a steep slope or within 30 m of a watercourse.
The Town's Tree Removal page says 30 cm DBH, but the bylaw says 20 cm. The bylaw is followed here; confirm with Engineering & Parks.
Separately, the Official Community Plan (Bylaw 1180) has development permit areas for watercourses and shorelines and for sensitive ecosystems. In those areas, removing or altering vegetation needs a development permit. Ask Planning if your lot is in one.
Steps
- Check whether your tree is protected, and whether it is on a steep slope or within 30 m of a watercourse.
- Fill in the Tree Removal or Alteration Permit Application with a site plan.
- Send it to Engineering & Parks. An arborist report may be required, and a geotechnical engineer's report for steep slopes.
- Plant the required replacement trees within one year of the permit.
Good to know
- No permit is needed for a tree that is not a Protected Tree, for cutting a branch under 10 cm in diameter, or for pruning a Protected Tree done by a Certified Arborist.
- You may cut a Protected Tree that was severely damaged in the past 24 hours and is in imminent danger of injuring people or property. Contact the Director within one business day with photos.
- A boundary tree needs a signed letter of consent from the neighbour.
- If two replacement trees per tree cannot be planted, the Director may accept $700 per replacement tree.
- Fines: a municipal ticket is $1,000 to $50,000 for cutting, altering or damaging a Protected Tree. Damaging roots, cutting on a steep slope or in a watercourse is $1,000. Failing to plant or maintain replacement trees is $700. On conviction the fine is $1,000 to $50,000, with a separate offence for each tree and each day.
- You can ask Council to reconsider a decision on a permit at no charge.
What you'll need
- Tree Removal or Alteration Permit Application
- Site plan showing trees, species, sizes and the reason for removal
- Arborist report if the Director requires one
- Neighbour's signed letter of consent for a boundary tree
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Esquimalt · Colwood · Victoria · Langford · Saanich · Highlands
Sources
- Tree Removal or Alterations, Town of View Royal (read 2026-11-05)
- Tree Protection Bylaw 1069, 2022 (PDF, consolidated, as amended by Bylaw 1145) (read 2026-11-05)
- Tree Protection Bylaw, Town of View Royal (read 2026-11-05)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw 958, consolidated to September 2026 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 643 (PDF, to May 2026) (read 2026-11-05)
- Official Community Plan Bylaw 1180, 2026 (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.