West Vancouver tree removal rules and permits
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.
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.Tree Cutting Permit: Private Property · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wordingA 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. |
|---|---|
| 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.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5383, Schedule A for 2026, Schedule A, development and permits, 2026 fees, PDF p. 17 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wordingSCHEDULE 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. |
| Replacement trees | One replacement tree is required per protected tree removed. The District Arborist may require a security deposit.Tree Cutting Permit: Private Property, Application process, step 7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wording5. 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. |
| 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.Consolidated Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 4368, 2004, Bylaw Notice Schedule A, Tree Bylaw sections 5.1 and 6.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wordingTree 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 |
| Bylaw | Tree Bylaw No. 4892, 2016.Consolidated Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 4368, 2004, Schedule A, Tree Bylaw identification and section 6.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wordingTree 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 |
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
- For the local removal or planning process, consult 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.
- 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) and Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5383, Schedule A for 2026 (PDF).
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Bowen Island · Lions Bay · District of North Vancouver · North Vancouver · Vancouver · Richmond
Sources
- Tree Cutting Permit: Private Property (read 2026-11-09)
- Online Services (read 2026-11-09)
- Consolidated Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 4368, 2004 (PDF) (read 2026-11-09)
- West Vancouver municipal office contact information (read 2026-11-09)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5383, Schedule A for 2026 (PDF) (read 2026-11-09)
- Submitting a Development Application | District of West Vancouver (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. How answers are checked.