Arborist Reports and Permit Applications in Vancouver
Arborist Reports and Permit Applications in Vancouver
Ironclad works with ISA-certified environmental specialists to deliver reports that municipalities accept with minimal pushback.
Ironclad works with ISA-certified environmental specialists to deliver reports that municipalities accept with minimal pushback.
Arborist Reports and Permit Applications in Vancouver
Ironclad works with ISA-certified environmental specialists to deliver reports that municipalities accept with minimal pushback.
How it works
Most people don't even know what an arborist report is
Most people don't even know what an arborist report is
We handle it all start to finish with certified environmental and compliance experts.
We handle it all start to finish with certified environmental and compliance experts.
Site Assessment
Site Assessment
Ironclad visits, inspects the tree, and determines exactly what's needed.
Arborist Report
Arborist Report
Prepared by ISA certified, TRAQ qualified arborists. Completed within 5-10 business days.
Permit Application
Permit Application
Our certified partners handle the submission and any municipal follow-up.
Next Steps
Next Steps
Once permits are in place, Ironclad completes the job correctly and timely.
Why choose us
Compliance handled by trusted arborists on the North Shore
Jeff and Ironclad assess the site, Sylva Environmental prepares every report and permit application.
Our partnership is a shared commitment to doing right by the tree, the property, and the process.
Trusted by industry leaders across British Columbia
BC Forest Safety Certified Fallers
ISA Certified Arborist
ISA #: PN10411A
ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified
$2 Million Liability Insurance
Worksafe BC
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in North Vancouver?
It depends on where your property is. The District of North Vancouver and the City of North Vancouver have different bylaws. In the District, a permit is required for trees over 75cm in diameter, trees near watercourses, on slopes greater than 30%, or protected species including Arbutus, Garry Oak, and Yellow-cedar. In the City of North Vancouver, Tree Bylaw No. 8888 protects trees with a trunk diameter of 20cm or more at 1.4m above ground — significantly stricter than the District. West Vancouver updated its bylaw in December 2025, lowering the protected tree size to 20cm DBH for properties undergoing new residential or commercial development. If you're not sure which jurisdiction applies to your property, that's exactly what Jeff's site assessment determines first.
What is an arborist report and what does it include?
An arborist report is a document that assesses the condition of a tree and makes recommendations for its care. It includes an assessment of the tree's health, structure, and potential hazards. Reports submitted to North Vancouver municipalities are required to convey current tree inventory details and recommendations made for tree management or removals. For permit applications they also include tree location, diameter measurements, species identification, and condition ratings. Sylva Environmental prepares every report Ironclad coordinates to ISA Best Management Practice standards — the format North Shore municipalities require.
How much does an arborist report cost?
In Vancouver, you can expect to pay between $300 and $500 for a basic single-tree report, while more complex reports can cost upwards of $1,000 or more. Construction reports involving multiple trees typically cost $400 to $1,000 depending on municipality requirements. The best way to get an accurate number is to call Jeff — after the site assessment he'll give you a clear quote with no obligation.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in North Vancouver?
It depends on where your property is. The District of North Vancouver and the City of North Vancouver have different bylaws. In the District, a permit is required for trees over 75cm in diameter, trees near watercourses, on slopes greater than 30%, or protected species including Arbutus, Garry Oak, and Yellow-cedar. In the City of North Vancouver, Tree Bylaw No. 8888 protects trees with a trunk diameter of 20cm or more at 1.4m above ground — significantly stricter than the District. West Vancouver updated its bylaw in December 2025, lowering the protected tree size to 20cm DBH for properties undergoing new residential or commercial development. If you're not sure which jurisdiction applies to your property, that's exactly what Jeff's site assessment determines first.
What is an arborist report and what does it include?
An arborist report is a document that assesses the condition of a tree and makes recommendations for its care. It includes an assessment of the tree's health, structure, and potential hazards. Reports submitted to North Vancouver municipalities are required to convey current tree inventory details and recommendations made for tree management or removals. For permit applications they also include tree location, diameter measurements, species identification, and condition ratings. Sylva Environmental prepares every report Ironclad coordinates to ISA Best Management Practice standards — the format North Shore municipalities require.
How much does an arborist report cost?
Everything gets cleaned up before we leave. Branches and debris are chipped on site, and larger wood can be left in rounds for firewood if you'd like it, or hauled away completely. Stumps are ground down below surface level. You choose what stays and what goes — we handle the rest.
Do I need a permit?
It depends on where your property is. The District of North Vancouver and the City of North Vancouver have different bylaws. In the District, a permit is required for trees over 75cm in diameter, trees near watercourses, on slopes greater than 30%, or protected species including Arbutus, Garry Oak, and Yellow-cedar. In the City of North Vancouver, Tree Bylaw No. 8888 protects trees with a trunk diameter of 20cm or more at 1.4m above ground — significantly stricter than the District. West Vancouver updated its bylaw in December 2025, lowering the protected tree size to 20cm DBH for properties undergoing new residential or commercial development. If you're not sure which jurisdiction applies to your property, that's exactly what Jeff's site assessment determines first.
What is an arborist report?
An arborist report is a document that assesses the condition of a tree and makes recommendations for its care. It includes an assessment of the tree's health, structure, and potential hazards. Reports submitted to North Vancouver municipalities are required to convey current tree inventory details and recommendations made for tree management or removals. For permit applications they also include tree location, diameter measurements, species identification, and condition ratings. Sylva Environmental prepares every report Ironclad coordinates to ISA Best Management Practice standards — the format North Shore municipalities require.
How much does one cost?
In Vancouver, you can expect to pay between $300 and $500 for a basic single-tree report, while more complex reports can cost upwards of $1,000 or more. Construction reports involving multiple trees typically cost $400 to $1,000 depending on municipality requirements. The best way to get an accurate number is to call Jeff — after the site assessment he'll give you a clear quote with no obligation.
How do I get a tree permit approved in Vancouver?
TRAQ assessments are required for tree removal permits in North Vancouver and West Vancouver municipalities. Sylva Environmental's arborists hold both ISA Certification and TRAQ Qualification — the specific credentials these municipalities look for. Their reports are prepared to the format the City and District of North Vancouver require. The District of North Vancouver requires reports to be prepared by a Certified Professional Arborist. Reports from uncertified or improperly formatted sources are regularly rejected — it's worth getting it done right the first time.
Can you remove a protected species?
Protected status means you need a permit — not that removal is impossible. Municipalities regularly grant removal permits for trees that present documented hazards, have significant disease or structural failure risk, or are in direct conflict with permitted construction. A thorough arborist report making the arboricultural case is the key to a successful application. Jeff assesses the tree first and tells you honestly what the path forward looks like before any report is commissioned.
Can Ironclad handle both the report and the removal?
Yes — that's exactly the point. we handle the site assessment, Sylva Environmental prepares the report and manages any permit submissions, and once permits are in place Ironclad does the physical work. One call, one point of contact, start to finish. You don't need to find a separate arborist for the report and a separate company for the removal.
How does it get approved?
TRAQ assessments are required for tree removal permits in North Vancouver and West Vancouver municipalities. Sylva Environmental's arborists hold both ISA Certification and TRAQ Qualification — the specific credentials these municipalities look for. Their reports are prepared to the format the City and District of North Vancouver require. The District of North Vancouver requires reports to be prepared by a Certified Professional Arborist. Reports from uncertified or improperly formatted sources are regularly rejected — it's worth getting it done right the first time.
What does protected mean?
Protected status means you need a permit — not that removal is impossible. Municipalities regularly grant removal permits for trees that present documented hazards, have significant disease or structural failure risk, or are in direct conflict with permitted construction. A thorough arborist report making the arboricultural case is the key to a successful application. Jeff assesses the tree first and tells you honestly what the path forward looks like before any report is commissioned.
Do you handle removal too?
Yes — that's exactly the point. we handle the site assessment, Sylva Environmental prepares the report and manages any permit submissions, and once permits are in place Ironclad does the physical work. One call, one point of contact, start to finish. You don't need to find a separate arborist for the report and a separate company for the removal.
Need an arborist report?
Need an arborist report?
Need an arborist report?