---
title: West Vancouver tree removal rules and permits
question: "Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property in West Vancouver?"
place: West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/west-vancouver
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of West Vancouver
sources_read: 2026-11-09
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-vancouver/tree-removal/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-vancouver/tree-removal.json"
---

# West Vancouver tree removal rules and permits

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

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of West Vancouver, https://westvancouver.ca)  
**Cost:** In 2026 the private-tree permit costs $330 for pruning or removal of one protected tree and $120 for each additional tree removed.  
**Where:**
- Phone: The planning office, 604-925-7055

## Key facts

- **When a permit is needed:** West Vancouver generally protects private trees 75 centimetres or more in diameter at breast height, including combined stems.
  - Source: [Tree Cutting Permit: Private Property](https://westvancouver.ca/climate-environment/trees/tree-cutting-permits/tree-cutting-permits/tree-cutting-permit-private-property)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Exemptions:** Not confirmed. Checked Tree Cutting Permit: Private Property; not found there.
- **Fee:** In 2026 the private-tree permit costs $330 for pruning or removal of one protected tree and $120 for each additional tree removed.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5383, Schedule A for 2026, Schedule A, development and permits, 2026 fees, PDF p. 17](https://westvancouver.ca/sites/default/files/media/documents/5383-fees-and-charges-bylaw-5383-2025-consolidated-to-amendment-5422-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Replacement trees:** One replacement tree is required per protected tree removed. The District Arborist may require a security deposit.
  - Source: [Tree Cutting Permit: Private Property, Application process, step 7](https://westvancouver.ca/climate-environment/trees/tree-cutting-permits/tree-cutting-permits/tree-cutting-permit-private-property)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **City trees:** Not confirmed. Checked Tree Cutting Permit: Private Property, JANUARY 2026; not found there.
- **Fine:** Cutting without a permit carries $500, $475 early or $500 late. The same amounts apply to damaging a tree.
  - Source: [Consolidated Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 4368, 2004, Bylaw Notice Schedule A, Tree Bylaw sections 5.1 and 6.1](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)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Bylaw:** Tree Bylaw No. 4892, 2016.
  - Source: [Consolidated Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 4368, 2004, Schedule A, Tree Bylaw identification and section 6.1](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)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09

## How it works

Identify 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.

## Steps

1. 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.
2. 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.

## Good to know

- In 2026 the private-tree permit costs $330 for pruning or removal of one protected tree and $120 for each additional tree removed.
- Use West Vancouver’s property information search.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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).

## Official forms and pages

- [Tree Cutting Permit: Private Property](https://westvancouver.ca/climate-environment/trees/tree-cutting-permits/tree-cutting-permits/tree-cutting-permit-private-property)

## Related questions

- [West Vancouver fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-vancouver/fence-rules.md)
- [West Vancouver secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-vancouver/secondary-suite.md)
- [West Vancouver zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-vancouver/zoning-lookup.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tree-removal.md)
- [Bowen Island](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/bowen-island/tree-removal.md)
- [Lions Bay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lions-bay/tree-removal.md)
- [District of North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/tree-removal.md)
- [North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/tree-removal.md)
- [Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/tree-removal.md)
- [Richmond](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/tree-removal.md)

## Sources

- [Tree Cutting Permit: Private Property](https://westvancouver.ca/climate-environment/trees/tree-cutting-permits/tree-cutting-permits/tree-cutting-permit-private-property) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Online Services](https://westvancouver.ca/services/online-services) (read 2026-11-09)
- [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) (read 2026-11-09)
- [West Vancouver municipal office contact information](https://westvancouver.ca/contact) (read 2026-11-09)
- [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) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Submitting a Development Application | District of West Vancouver](https://westvancouver.ca/business-development/building-development/submitting-development-application) (read 2026-11-09)

_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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of West Vancouver. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-vancouver/tree-removal/_