Tree Protection

Diameter at breast height, or DBH, is the standard for measuring trees. DBH refers to the tree diameter measured at 1.4 metres (4.5 feet) above the ground. Trees less than 20 centimetres DBH are exempt from the Tree Protection Bylaw.

Arborist reports following the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) model as outlined by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) must be completed by ISA certified arborists who currently hold the TRAQ certification and submitted with all tree removal applications for trees deemed to be inappropriate for their species, size, or location.

The guidelines below provide an outline of what to include in the report. While requirements below are not comprehensive, failure to include the following information will result in the report being rejected.

The following must be included in the report:

• Name of company and the risk assessor, including ISA Certification Number
• An unbiased approach in report writing
• Location of assignment: Provide the address, parcel ID
• Date of the assessment
• Date of the report
• Table of contents
• Clear statement of the purpose of the report: details of the assignment, who the report is for, a site overview including site conditions, inventory, and maps
• Method of assessment: provide technical details of the level and type of assessment and any equipment used
• Detailed analysis:
  • ISA TRAQ Risk Matrix
  • Table providing description of trees assessed (i.e. the tree inventory table)
  • Appropriate tree identification; scientific name and common name
  • Observations, findings
  • Clear photos that identify the trees and any defects
  • Include maps indicating the location of trees
• Detailed summary and recommendations
  • Actions are recommended/required
  • Provide the overall risk rating (TRAQ), including likelihood of failure, severity of impact and the consequences
  • Provide the time frame when actions need to occur
  • Inspection interval: the time period required for retaining and monitoring trees based on the risk rating given
• Appendices and limitations

No, removal of standard hedges and shrubbery does not require a permit, unless the hedge is comprised of large conifers or deciduous species 10 metres in height or greater. Call 604-533-6018 to initiate a request for staff to investigate if you are unsure whether your hedge removal (individual trees or the entire hedge) requires a permit.

If you would like to remove hedging on the boundary of your property, you may wish to double check that it does not reside on your neighbour’s property or on shared land.

If your property is stratified and less than 5 years old, the trees on your property may have been planted as a requirement of development. In these cases, tree removal may not be permitted. To determine if the tree you wish to remove is governed by development guidelines, call Development Services at 604-533-6034.

Additionally, depending on the type of strata, you may have to submit the following:

• For multi-family stratas, you will need to speak with your Strata Council and receive their approval to remove any trees from your property. Any application for tree removal must be submitted by the Strata Council.
• For industrial or commercial stratas, or single family bare land stratas, you will need approval from all property owners. This can be achieved by having all owners sign the application form, or having owners authorize the applicant as their agent. If any owners are a numbered company, a corporate company search must also be provided showing authorization to act on behalf of the company as a principle or director.

If a windstorm or other event severely damages a tree on your private property, please refer to the following guidelines.

• If you feel the tree is an imminent threat to life or property and requires urgent removal, take pictures of the tree showing its proximity to the threat and call the Permits, Licenses, and Inspections Division to report your concern before attempting to remove the tree.
  • During regular business hours, call 604-533-6018.
  • For concerns taking place on an evening or weekend, call the after-hours emergency line at 604-543-6722.
• If the tree is damaged but you feel it is not an urgent threat, do not remove the tree. Email your removal enquiry, with photos and a completed Tree Removal form, to trees@tol.ca. Staff will prioritize your request accordingly.

Please note: removal of all trees, including fallen trees due to weather events, requires a valid Tree Removal permit. Before removing any trees from your property, take photos of the fallen tree and the surroundings. Staff will help you work toward the permit process and document the situation.

Trees near watercourses fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, regardless of size. Township staff can review your request and determine if tree removal is allowed.  Please email cdinfo@tol.ca or call 604-533-6034, where our support team can receive your request and refer it to appropriate staff for review.

Property owners are reminded that no person shall cause, or permit another person to cause, sediment or sediment-laden water to be discharged, either directly or indirectly, into creeks and streams or the Township drainage system.

As outlined in the Tree Protection Bylaw, if your property has a significant slope, you may be required to submit additional reports before the application can be processed. For more information, call the 604-533-6018.

Tree parts and wood waste must be properly disposed of in accordance with municipal bylaws and provincial regulations. Acceptable disposal methods include chipping, contracting a private hauler, or bringing it to a transfer station. You may retain tree parts such as larger branches or stems for personal use (e.g. firewood) on your property, provided they are stored in a safe, orderly manner and do not create a nuisance or hazard. All other debris should be removed from the site.

Wood waste cannot be placed in the Green Cart or disposed of via municipal curbside collection. Additionally, any burning requires a separate Burning Permit and must follow all requirements as outlined in the permit. Please note, burning is not allowed and permits will not be issued for the urban areas of Aldergrove, Brookswood, Fort Langley, Murrayville, Walnut Grove, and Willoughby, and are restricted to specific times of year. 

Properties with a valid permit to remove or cut trees are required to display a permit tag at their property, visible from the roadway. If you cannot see the permit tag, you may wish to search the Tree Permit Activity WebApp to see if the property has a valid permit.

If you believe a tree has been cut without a permit please call 604-533-6018 Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm.  If you are observing an active tree removal evenings after 4:30 pm or on weekends or holidays call 604-543-6722.

Note that properties under an active development application are subject to tree protection and replacement requirements of the Subdivision & Development Servicing Bylaw and are exempt from the Tree Protection Bylaw.

The online Tree Permit Activity Map plots data from valid tree removal permits. A red square on the map indicates an active permit and outlines the number of trees that have been approved for removal. 

Data on the map remains live until the permit expires one year from the date of issuance. The information is automatically updated on a regular basis.