The City of North Vancouver has come into line with the other municipalities across the North Shore, enacting a new tree bylaw which seeks to protect and expand its tree canopy well into the future.
The new bylaw regulates the management of trees on private property, in multi-family residential, commercial, civic, industrial and mixed employment areas across the city.
Here’s everything you need to know about the new bylaw, which came into effect March 2022:
Any tree at or greater than 20 cm diameter at breast height (1.4 metres) will require a permit for removal, even if there is no active development taking place.
A tree removal permit may be obtained if one of the reasons below are met:
- Located within a permitted building envelope, or area required for supportive infrastructure and on a parcel for which a rezoning, development permit or building permit application has been lodged;
- Located within an area required to provide access during the construction of a permitted building or structure on the land;
- Dead, dying, or high risk, as confirmed in writing by a certified arborist;
- Directly interfering with utility wires, and not amenable to pruning to address the interference without compromising the health of the tree, all as certified by an arborist, and
- Directly blocking or interfering with sewer or drainage systems, as certified by an accredited plumber or civil engineer.
There are three ways in which a removal permit can be obtained:
Tree removal as part of a proposed development
- Submit a pre-consultation application.
- Hire a certified arborist to assess the trees on private property.
- Provide a site plan or survey, arborist report, tree protection plan, and tree replacement plan.
- Submit a Tree Removal Permit Application form at the time of building permit application, after a development permit has been issued or rezoning approval has been granted.
- Pay the required fees.
- Begin work after tree removal permit issuance, in accordance with the conditions of the permit.
Tree removal without development application
- Hire a certified arborist to assess the trees on private property.
- Provide a site plan or survey, arborist report, tree protection plan, and tree replacement plan.
- Submit a Tree Removal Permit Application form.
- Pay the required fees.
- Begin work after tree removal permit issuance, in accordance with the conditions of the permit.
Hazardous Tree Removal
- You may cut the tree without first obtaining a tree removal permit only if it poses an imminent risk to life or property.
- Submit evidence within 24 hours after tree cutting that it was hazardous (e.g. photographs, written confirmation of imminent hazard by a certified tree risk assessor).
- Wait to remove the felled tree from private property until staff confirm receipt of required evidence.
- Pay the security deposit for the required replacement tree (to be refunded upon confirmation of planting).
- Remove felled tree after retroactive issuance of tree removal permit.
The city suggests hiring a professional arborist to manage trees on private property, as they are able to write arborist reports, conduct tree risk assessments, perform tree removals, and perform hazardous tree removals.
According to the new bylaw, those who choose to remove trees illegally are subject to fines of up to $50,000 and/or imprisonment for up to six months.
More information regarding the city’s new tree bylaw can be found on the city’s climate and environment page.
