{"title":"West Vancouver tree removal rules and permits","question":"Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property in West Vancouver?","slug":"tree-removal","place":{"path":"ca/bc/west-vancouver","name":"West Vancouver","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"building-and-renovating","name":"Building, renovating and your property"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"District of West Vancouver","url":"https://westvancouver.ca"},"short_answer":"West Vancouver generally protects private trees 75 centimetres or more in diameter at breast height, including combined stems. The threshold drops to 20 centimetres for specified new-building or subdivision projects. Check the District’s full protected-tree list before removal.","aliases":[],"cost":"In 2026 the private-tree permit costs $330 for pruning or removal of one protected tree and $120 for each additional tree removed.","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"phone","label":"The planning office","value":"604-925-7055"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Tree Cutting Permit: Private Property","url":"https://westvancouver.ca/climate-environment/trees/tree-cutting-permits/tree-cutting-permits/tree-cutting-permit-private-property"}],"related":[{"slug":"fence-rules","title":"West Vancouver fence rules: permits and height limits","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-vancouver/fence-rules/"},{"slug":"secondary-suite","title":"West Vancouver secondary suite and carriage house rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-vancouver/secondary-suite/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"West Vancouver zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-vancouver/zoning-lookup/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/bowen-island","name":"Bowen Island","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/bowen-island/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lions-bay","name":"Lions Bay","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lions-bay/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/north-vancouver-district","name":"District of North Vancouver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/north-vancouver","name":"North Vancouver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/vancouver","name":"Vancouver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/tree-removal/"},{"place":"ca/bc/richmond","name":"Richmond","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/tree-removal/"}],"topic":{"title":"Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tree-removal/"},"facts":{"permit_needed":{"label":"When a permit is needed","value":"West Vancouver generally protects private trees 75 centimetres or more in diameter at breast height, including combined stems.","short":"Yes, for trees 75 centimetres or more in DBH","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://westvancouver.ca/climate-environment/trees/tree-cutting-permits/tree-cutting-permits/tree-cutting-permit-private-property","title":"Tree Cutting Permit: Private Property","section":"Tree Cutting Permit: Private Property","quotes":["A permit is required to cut protected trees. Protected trees are: * Any tree 75 cm Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) or greater, or in the case of a tree with multiple stems, a combined stem DBH of 75 cm or more; * On a parcel being developed with at least one new residential or commercial building, or subdivided to create at least one additional parcel for a new residential building, any tree 20 cm DBH or greater, or in the case of a tree with multiple stems, a combined stem DBH of 20 cm or more."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-09"}},"exemptions":{"label":"Exemptions","value":null,"status":"unknown","reason":"not_found","note":"Checked Tree Cutting Permit: Private Property; not found there.","sources":[]},"fee":{"label":"Fee","value":"In 2026 the private-tree permit costs $330 for pruning or removal of one protected tree and $120 for each additional tree removed.","short":"$330 for one tree ($120 each additional)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://westvancouver.ca/sites/default/files/media/documents/5383-fees-and-charges-bylaw-5383-2025-consolidated-to-amendment-5422-2025.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5383, Schedule A for 2026 (PDF)","section":"Schedule A, development and permits, 2026 fees, PDF p. 17","quotes":["SCHEDULE A - DEVELOPMENT & PERMITS 2026 FEE DETAILS","Private Property Private Tree Cutting Permit $330.00 $330.00 for any pruning work or removal of one tree, applies to protected trees under the Tree Bylaw, on private lands. $120.00 for each additional tree removal."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-09"}},"replacement":{"label":"Replacement trees","value":"One replacement tree is required per protected tree removed. The District Arborist may require a security deposit.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://westvancouver.ca/climate-environment/trees/tree-cutting-permits/tree-cutting-permits/tree-cutting-permit-private-property","title":"Tree Cutting Permit: Private Property","section":"Application process, step 7","quotes":["5. The review of a completed application usually takes two to three weeks. 6. If your application is approved, the District Arborist will inform you by email. 7. Following approval, a security deposit may be required for replacement trees. Note: a replacement tree is required for every protected tree removed. The District Arborist will request a security deposit amount and provide payment instructions for the security deposit. Note: security deposits can not be paid online."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-09"}},"city_trees":{"label":"City trees","value":null,"status":"unknown","reason":"not_found","note":"Checked Tree Cutting Permit: Private Property, JANUARY 2026; not found there.","sources":[]},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Cutting without a permit carries $500, $475 early or $500 late. The same amounts apply to damaging a tree.","short":"$500 ($475 early)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://westvancouver.ca/sites/default/files/media/documents/4368%20BYLAW%20NOTICE%20ENFORCEMENT%20BYLAW%204368%202004%20%28CONSOLIDATED%20UP%20TO%20AMENDMENT%20BYLAW%205315%202024%29.pdf","title":"Consolidated Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 4368, 2004 (PDF)","section":"Bylaw Notice Schedule A, Tree Bylaw sections 5.1 and 6.1","quotes":["Tree Bylaw No. 4892, 2016 5099, 2020      5.1       Damage tree                                 $500.00   $475.00   $500.00               NO","5099, 2020      5.2     Construct without tree barrier                $500.00   $475.00   $500.00             YES 5099, 2020      5.3     Fail to maintain tree barrier                 $500.00   $475.00   $500.00             YES 5099, 2020     5.3.4    Fail to remove tree barrier                   $250.00   $212.50   $287.50             YES 5099, 2020      6.1     Tree cutting without permit                   $500.00   $475.00   $500.00             NO","A2         A3         Compliance A1       Early                  Agreement Amendment Section                   Description                                      Late Bylaw No.                                                        Penalty   Payment   Payment        Available (*Maximum 50% Penalty   Penalty        Reduction in Penalty"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-09"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Tree Bylaw No. 4892, 2016.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://westvancouver.ca/sites/default/files/media/documents/4368%20BYLAW%20NOTICE%20ENFORCEMENT%20BYLAW%204368%202004%20%28CONSOLIDATED%20UP%20TO%20AMENDMENT%20BYLAW%205315%202024%29.pdf","title":"Consolidated Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 4368, 2004 (PDF)","section":"Schedule A, Tree Bylaw identification and section 6.1","quotes":["Tree Bylaw No. 4892, 2016 5099, 2020      5.1       Damage tree                                 $500.00   $475.00   $500.00               NO","5099, 2020      5.2     Construct without tree barrier                $500.00   $475.00   $500.00             YES 5099, 2020      5.3     Fail to maintain tree barrier                 $500.00   $475.00   $500.00             YES 5099, 2020     5.3.4    Fail to remove tree barrier                   $250.00   $212.50   $287.50             YES 5099, 2020      6.1     Tree cutting without permit                   $500.00   $475.00   $500.00             NO"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-09"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":7,"stated":5,"matched":5,"none":0,"unknown":2},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nIdentify the tree and where it stands before arranging its removal. Mark the trunk on a sketch showing lot lines, the street, watercourses and any proposed construction. The applicable approval can depend on the location as well as the tree itself. One replacement tree is required per protected tree removed. The District Arborist may require a security deposit.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. For the local removal or planning process, consult [Tree Cutting Permit: Private Property](https://westvancouver.ca/climate-environment/trees/tree-cutting-permits/tree-cutting-permits/tree-cutting-permit-private-property). Check the local tree or development-permit information for the property. If ownership or the boundary is uncertain, establish that first.\n2. Describe the reason for removal and whether you are applying as part of a building or subdivision project. Ask what evidence is required before relying on an exemption.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- In 2026 the private-tree permit costs $330 for pruning or removal of one protected tree and $120 for each additional tree removed.\n- Use West Vancouver’s property information search.\n- Keep a copy of any plan, assessment and written approval with the project records. If the scope changes from pruning to removal, ask about the work you now propose.\n- For a question about the tree’s size, location and ownership and whether approval is required, call the planning office at 604-925-7055. Identify the trunk on a site plan if the lot line is close.\n- Read the applicable provisions in [Consolidated Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 4368, 2004 (PDF)](https://westvancouver.ca/sites/default/files/media/documents/4368%20BYLAW%20NOTICE%20ENFORCEMENT%20BYLAW%204368%202004%20%28CONSOLIDATED%20UP%20TO%20AMENDMENT%20BYLAW%205315%202024%29.pdf) and [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5383, Schedule A for 2026 (PDF)](https://westvancouver.ca/sites/default/files/media/documents/5383-fees-and-charges-bylaw-5383-2025-consolidated-to-amendment-5422-2025.pdf).","sources":[{"url":"https://westvancouver.ca/climate-environment/trees/tree-cutting-permits/tree-cutting-permits/tree-cutting-permit-private-property","title":"Tree Cutting Permit: Private Property","accessed":"2026-11-09"},{"url":"https://westvancouver.ca/services/online-services","title":"Online Services","accessed":"2026-11-09"},{"url":"https://westvancouver.ca/sites/default/files/media/documents/4368%20BYLAW%20NOTICE%20ENFORCEMENT%20BYLAW%204368%202004%20%28CONSOLIDATED%20UP%20TO%20AMENDMENT%20BYLAW%205315%202024%29.pdf","title":"Consolidated Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 4368, 2004 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-09"},{"url":"https://westvancouver.ca/contact","title":"West Vancouver municipal office contact information","accessed":"2026-11-09"},{"url":"https://westvancouver.ca/sites/default/files/media/documents/5383-fees-and-charges-bylaw-5383-2025-consolidated-to-amendment-5422-2025.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5383, Schedule A for 2026 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-09"},{"url":"https://westvancouver.ca/business-development/building-development/submitting-development-application","title":"Submitting a Development Application | District of West Vancouver","accessed":"2026-11-09"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-09","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 7 facts was matched to the official text; 2 could not be confirmed."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-vancouver/tree-removal/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-vancouver/tree-removal.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-vancouver/tree-removal.json"}}