Trees on Private Property

Trees on private property in the City may only be cut down under specific conditions based on the property’s zoning. Check your property’s zoning on CityMap.

Single-Family and Duplex Residential Properties 

Single-family and duplex residential properties (RS-1, RS-2, RS- 4B, RT-1, RT-2) are not required to get a tree removal permit unless the property is in a streamside area or some CD zones. 

• If your property is in a streamside area, you must apply for a Streamside Development Permit before removing any trees or landscaping. If you are unsure, contact planning@cnv.org. 
• If your property is in a CD zone, please contact TreeBylaw@cnv.org to confirm if you are required to get a permit before doing any work. 
• If the trunk of the tree is located partially outside your property limit, you must obtain written permission from the neighbouring property owner before cutting the tree. This includes trees partially located on City property. Learn more below under Neighbours and Trees.
• All tree works must comply with federal and provincial legislation for the protection of birds. Learn more below under Tree Removal and Birds.
• We recommend that only tree care professionals such as an ISA Certified Arborist or ISA Qualified Tree Risk Assessor undertake any tree works on your property. 
  
   

All Other Properties 

A tree removal permit is required for the removal or extensive pruning of all trees that are protected by the City’s Tree Bylaw No. 8888. This includes multi-family residential, commercial, civic, industrial, and mixed employment zones. 

A permit is required to remove any protected tree that has a diameter of 20 centimetres or greater, measured at 1.4 metres above the ground. Learn more about how to measure a tree’s diameter. 

A tree removal permit will only be issued under specific conditions, which may include if the tree is:

• Dead, dying, or hazardous.
• Directly interfering with utility wires.
• Directly blocking or interfering with sewer or drainage systems.

For a detailed list of permitted conditions including development-related applications, refer to section 6 of the City’s Tree Bylaw No. 8888. 

• If your property is in a streamside area, you must apply for a Streamside Development Permit before removing any trees or landscaping. If you are unsure, contact planning@cnv.org
• If the trunk of the tree is located partially outside your property limit, you must obtain written permission from the neighbouring property owner before undertaking tree works. This includes trees partially located on City property. Learn more below under Neighbours and Trees.
• All tree works must comply with federal and provincial legislation for the protection of birds. Learn more below under Tree Removal and Birds.

Tree Pruning 

A tree removal permit is generally not required to perform basic pruning on a protected tree when following sound arboriculture practices. Refer to section 4 of the City’s Tree Bylaw No. 8888. 

The following is not permitted: 

• Topping 
• Removing more than 25% of the crown in one season. 
• Raising the crown to less than 50% of the total tree height.
• Pruning or removal of a structural root within the critical root zone.

Before pruning trees on your property, we recommend consulting with a tree care professional such as an ISA Certified Arborist to ensure you are following sound arboriculture practices. Learn more about proper pruning techniques.

When pruning in the spring and summer, take extra care to ensure you are not disturbing any nesting birds. Learn more below under Tree Removal and Birds. 

If you are unsure about your situation or have questions, email Treebylaw@cnv.org.

If your tree is protected under the City’s Tree Bylaw No. 8888, a tree removal permit must be issued before any work begins. 

Steps required for a Tree Removal Permit:

1. Prepare your documents. Refer to the Tree Removal Permit Application and Arborist Guide for more information on the requirements of each of these documents:

• Arborist Report, completed by an ISA Certified Arborist
• Tree Protection Plan
• Tree Replacement Plan
• Site Plan or Survey
• Property Owner(s) Authorization (if relevant)
• Shared Tree Authorization (if relevant)
• Proof of Certification or Accreditation of company undertaking work

2. Submit a Tree Removal Permit Application.
3. Pay the required fees.
4. Sign the permit at City Hall.
5. After receiving a Tree Removal Permit, work may begin in accordance with the conditions on the permit. 

If you are planning to develop your property or are in active development, please refer to the City’s Land Use Approvals webpage for more information on the process, including tree removals.   

If a tree poses an imminent risk to life or property due to natural causes, it may be cut without a tree removal permit.

If you are a property owner and need to remove a hazardous tree, follow these steps.

1. Within 24 hours of cutting the tree, you must submit evidence to confirm that that tree was imminently hazardous. This may include photos of the tree prior to cutting and/or written confirmation by an ISA Qualified Tree Risk Assessor.
2. Wait to remove the felled tree from your property until City staff confirm receipt of the required evidence.
3. Pay the Tree Removal Permit fees, including security deposit for the required replacement tree (to be refunded upon confirmation of planting).
4. Remove the felled tree only after a retroactive permit has been issued.

If your project requires the removal of, or disturbance near, vegetation including trees, it's important to understand your obligations under provincial and federal legislation regarding breeding birds. 

In BC, birds, their nests, and eggs are protected by both the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act and the provincial Wildlife Act. Some species of birds are also protected under the federal Species at Risk Act.

The most active bird nesting season is from approximately March 1 until August 31 every year. We recommend that you plan for any tree removals outside of the active bird nesting season. It is illegal to damage, disturb, destroy or remove an active bird nest. If you're planning to remove a tree during bird nesting season, you'll be required to provide a bird survey by a Qualified Environmental Professional as part of the Tree Removal Permit application.

Nests of some species, including bald eagle, peregrine falcon, osprey, and heron, are protected year-round, whether currently active or not. A full list of species that are protected year round can be found in Schedule 1 of the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022. 

Before undertaking any tree work on your property, whether during nesting season or not, the City recommends that you work with a Qualified Environmental Professional to confirm if there is any nesting on your site. It's the responsibility of the property owner to be in compliance of all federal and provincial regulations.

Environment Climate Change Canada provides guidance on avoiding harm to migratory birds. Questions about federal legislation can be directed to Enviroinfo at Enviroinfo@ec.gc.ca.

Report Violations

To report any violations against the Federal Migratory Bird Convention Act please call 1-800-668-6767 or email Enviroinfo@ec.gc.ca.

To report any violations against the Provincial Wildlife Act please call the Conservation Officer 24-Hour Hotline at 1-877-952-RAPP (7277).

If you have an issue with your neighbour's trees, your first step is to speak with them. The City doesn't mediate disputes between neighbours. 

The City doesn't do tree removals or pruning on private property. Property owners need to hire a tree care professional if they need help with tree work or want to assess the health of a tree on their property.

If the trunk of the tree is located partially outside your property limit, you must obtain written permission from the neighbouring property owner before cutting the tree. This includes trees partially located on City property. For more information about trees on City property, email Eng@cnv.org.

A tree may only be pruned back to your property line, as long as it doesn't have a damaging effect on the health or stability of the tree. 

We recommend following the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) guidelines on pruning trees or have an ISA-certified arborist or tree care professional to undertake tree work on your property. Pruning should also take place outside the bird nesting season as noted above in Tree Removal and Birds.