West Vancouver Tree Removal Permits (Plain-English Guide from a Crew Who Actually Does This)

Paperwork isn’t glamorous, but in British Columbia its how you keep projects moving and neighbors happy. I’m Jeff Kinney—30+ years in the canopy, and here’s the no-drama version of how West Vancouver tree removal permits really work.

Do you even need a permit?

In West Van, a “protected tree” triggers permits. Protected can mean:

• 75 cm DBH or larger, or multi-stem trees totaling 75 cm DBH, (DBH= Diameter at Breast Height)

• certain native species over 20 cm (Arbutus, Garry oak, Pacific yew, Pacific dogwood, Yellow-cedar, Shore pine in defined shoreline areas),

• trees within 15 m of a watercourse bank or in foreshore protection areas,

• or trees with active nests (or raptor/heron nests, active or not) or other protected wildlife habitat.

There’s also a true-emergency carve-out: if a tree is an imminent danger and a qualified arborist confirms it, you can act—but you must report it to the District within one business day and leave the wood in place until they authorize removal.

What the District expects (and what we do for you)

Private property permits are straightforward when you sequence them right:

1. Arborist report that explains the work under the Tree Bylaw.

2. Application submitted via the District’s Document Upload Centre (PDFs only).

3. Fees at submission: $325 for the first tree, $120 for each additional (as of 2025).

If you’re near a stream/watercourse, expect a different intake (environmental permit stream); timelines depend on volume and season.

Pro tip: West Van updated several rules—permits now expire after 1 year (used to be six months), and there’s an expedited path for trees classified as dead by an arborist.

Replacement trees (so you’re not surprised later)

Most removals of protected trees require replanting: 1 replacement tree with 5 cm caliper (deciduous) or 3 m height (conifer), maintained to survive. The District may take security: $1,000 per replacement up to $10,000, returned when the tree establishes.

What we handle vs. what you sign

We take care of the arborist report, photos, tagging, and a realistic method statement (rigging/sectioning plan). You handle the application upload and fees. On development sites, we’ll also coordinate the tree survey, protection fencing, and ESC/traffic control so the site stays compliant during demo/excavation.

FAQ (what West Van homeowners keep asking)

• “Can I remove a dead tree without the full report?” If an arborist certifies it’s dead, the reduced report path applies; the District created an expedited process.

• “What if a storm drops it at 2 a.m.?” If it’s imminent danger, we can stabilize and make safe, then report within one business day; don’t haul material off-site until the District authorizes it.

• “How much will the permit cost me?” As of 2025: $325 + $120 per additional tree on private property. (Municipal lands and boulevards are separate processes.)

• “Will I have to replant?” Usually yes—1 replacement tree to District specifications.

Citations:

westvancouver.ca

West Van: Tree Bylaw No. 4892, 2016