White Rock tree removal rules and permits

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

White Rock, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

How it works

The Tree Protection Bylaw 2407 protects trees on all private land in White Rock. Protected means a trunk 20 cm or more across (measured 1.4 m above ground), any Arbutus, Garry Oak or Pacific Dogwood of any size, a replacement tree planted under a permit, or a tree with raptor or listed-bird nests. Cutting roots in the critical root zone of a protected tree also needs a permit.

Permit types: Type 1 for a dead or high-risk tree; Type 2 for an unwanted tree (roots destroying property or completely obstructing views); Type 3 for tree removal tied to a building or demolition permit.

Steps

1. Decide which type applies (see above). Staff can confirm no protected trees are on your lot, in which case no permit is needed.
2. Apply through Planning and Development Services, using the application on the City's Tree Management Permits page.
3. Do not cut until the permit is issued.
4. For Types 2 and 3, plant the replacement trees on time: within one year for Type 2 and three years for Type 3, or the security is forfeited.

Good to know

• Replacement: Type 1 needs none. For Types 2 and 3, two replacement trees for a tree under 50 cm across, rising to six for one over 85 cm. Security is $1,500 per replacement tree. Retained trees also need security deposits of $3,000, $4,500 or $10,000 per tree by size. Cash-in-lieu is possible where planting is impractical.
• No permit is needed to prune a protected tree following sound arboricultural practice: no topping, no removing over 25% of the crown in a season, no raising the crown below 65% live crown, no structural root pruning.
• A tree in imminent danger of falling from natural causes may be cut, but report it the next business day and leave it on site until the City inspects.
• Bird-nest surveys may be required from March 1 to August 31. Pileated woodpecker nest trees must be kept 36 months.
• Fines: a ticket is $500 for a first offence and $1,000 for a second or later one for cutting, removing or damaging a protected tree without a permit. A court fine can be up to $10,000 or six months in jail. Each tree and each day is a separate offence.
• Any tree, hedge or shrub on City-owned property is protected. Get separate approval from Engineering and Municipal Operations, 604-541-2181, operations@whiterockcity.ca.