Tree Bylaw

On November 2, 2020, the Tree Bylaw (formerly the Interim Tree Bylaw) was adopted. In addition to housekeeping amendments, the following is a summary of the approved changes to the bylaw:

Clarification of the definition of the term “tree cutting” to improve understanding of when a permit is required.
Definitions of acceptable pruning practices that will not compromise the health of the tree.
Addition of Pacific yew, Pacific dogwood, Yellow cedar, and Shore pine tree (greater than 20 cm DBH) to the Protected Tree list.
Addition of trees (greater than 10 cm DBH) within the watercourse protection area (i.e., 15 m of the top of bank of a watercourse) to the Protected Tree list.
Addition of heritage trees, replacement trees, and retained trees to the Protected Tree List.
Restrictions on tree work during the nesting season of wildlife species that are protected under senior levels of government.
Permitting requirements for tree work related to wildfire hazard risk.
Replacement tree requirements and recommended species for removal of Protected Trees are outlined in the Recommended Replacement Trees resource linked below.
Updated permitting process for tree removals when trees are certified as dead by an Arborist, including a reduced arborist report and expedited process.
Updated tree protection barrier requirements during construction activities.
Updated expiry date for a tree removal permit from six months to one year.

The complete Tree Bylaw is provided here:

Tree Bylaw

- trees of any species 75 cm in diameter or larger
- Arbutus, Garry oak, Pacific yew, Pacific dogwood, yellow cedar, and shore pine 20 cm in diameter or larger
- trees greater than 10 cm diameter or larger within 15 metres of the top of a watercourse bank or natural boundary of the ocean, through an Environmental Development Permit or Foreshore Development Permit
- heritage trees (as part of the Community Heritage Register)
You cannot cut a protected tree unless you are redeveloping your property or the tree is deemed hazardous by a professional arborist.

Where you are proposing construction on your property, protected trees outside the permitted building envelope would have to be retained except to allow for necessary driveway access and garage locations.

Other buildings and structures such as swimming pools must be located to avoid protected trees.

If building a house, how do I find out where my property lines and principal building envelope are?

These can be established by a professional surveyor. Contact one of the many companies that provide this service.
It's the area on a lot that a house can be built and has been approved under a building permit. It is calculated by applying the required setbacks to a lot as per the Zoning Bylaw.

Requirements may vary due to lot configuration, watercourses on or adjacent to the lot or the presence of covenants, easements, or right-of-ways registered against the property. The Zoning Bylaw must always be consulted for exact interpretation and additional information.

Background information

With the rapid pace of development and re-development, local trees are being removed at a fast pace. Balanced and informed tree management is needed to maintain West Vancouver’s urban forest in the short and long term. The District adopted an interim tree bylaw to protect trees on private land in July 2016, which was updated in 2020, to allow more time to develop a thoughtful and balanced approach to tree management. In 2024, the District adopted the Urban Forest Management Plan, which provides a unified 15-year vision to guide future actions to protect and enhance West Vancouver’s urban forest.

The Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP) ties together years of studies, reports, and community feedback into a cohesive plan with specific goals and strategies to support the District’s guiding policies related to urban forest management in order to maintain the health and maximize the benefits of our urban forest over the long term.

The Plan includes the adoption of a 52% canopy cover target by 2039 and five goals with a total of 59 associated actions that aim to address issues of:
- Competing uses: Protecting and growing tree canopy will continue to require careful planning and trade-offs amid development on private property, transportation routes, and infrastructure on public lands.
- Inequitable canopy distribution: Closing gaps between West Vancouver’s lowest and highest canopy cover neighbourhoods will support an equitable distribution of urban forest benefits.
- Views: Views and trees both provide benefits to many property owners and visitors that sometimes can overlap and be perceived as detrimental to one another.
- Climate change: Urban forests are a critical community natural asset that support climate change mitigation (e.g., carbon storage, rainwater management, air quality) and adaptation (e.g., shading and cooling). Climate change strain can also pose a risk to urban forest health (e.g., wildfires, storm and wind events, drought, pests, and disease susceptibility) which result in hazardous or dead trees that need to be managed.
- Increased demand for municipal urban forest management: In recent years, the municipality has processed a growing number of tree permits and work orders for tree issues on public land.
- Lack of data on assets in highest-use areas: The District is creating an inventory of its urban tree assets’ (e.g., number, diversity, and condition) to help plan for, budget, and maintain its urban trees more proactively over the coming years.
- Infrastructure conflicts: Trees can pose significant issues for infrastructure maintenance (roads, culverts, watercourse blockages, tree root damage to pipes, buildings, pavements, power lines), which can impact service levels, require immediate response during storm events, and pose challenges for planting trees.
View the Urban Forest Management Plan.

Urban Forest management plan timeline
- Completed: State of the Forest Report and Tree Canopy Study presentation to Council | Spring 2022
- Completed: Public engagement | Spring 2022
- Completed: Completion of Draft Urban Forest Management Plan | Fall/Winter 2022
- Completed Public engagement on the draft plan | Spring 2023
- Completed: Finalization of Urban Forest Management Plan for Council consideration | Summer/Fall 2023
- Completed: Adoption of Urban Forest Management Plan | Winter 2023
- We are Here: Public engagement on implementation priorities | Spring 2024
The management of trees in the District is an ongoing process to ensure that the regulations are adaptive to changes due to climate change, development, or any other events that arise in the future. Through the implementation of the Urban Forest Management Plan, staff will continue to review and update bylaws and other policies related to trees in the District to ensure their continued protection.

The following actions from the Urban Forest Management Plan have already been completed or are in progress to protect existing trees and plant new trees to reach our canopy cover target.

Completed Work
- Adoption of a 52% canopy cover target by 2039
- Recommended replacement tree list for climate suitability and resiliency
- Recommended tree replacement list for properties in the Wildfire Hazard Development Permit Area
- New Resources for residents including:
  
  native soil conservation and management guidelines
  
  best practices for spacing, width, soil volume, tree spacing, permeability for planting trees
  
  educational information about value of trees, how to choose the right species, and how to improve bird and pollinator habitat
  
  International Society of Arboriculture’s Trees are Good materials to help residents choose, plant, and maintain the right tree for their yard
- Plant-A-Tree program with schools
- District public tree inventory assessment and database development
Ongoing Work
- Expanding tree planting program on public lands
- Continuing to encourage use of wildfire risk reduction treatments that minimize tree removals where possible
- Tracking annual tree planting on public lands and private property (where possible)
- Working with tree nurseries to grow diverse tree species suited for West Vancouver’s urban forest and climate
- Pursuing external funding for District tree planting and maintenance and community planting initiatives
- Providing stewardship opportunities for the community to participate to tree planting and forest restoration events
Spring 2017: The District appointed a 12-member citizen’s group to review options, engage the community, and make recommendations regarding the development of a bylaw to regulate trees on private property that balances tree management best practices with community interests. The working group's draft recommendations are featured in Appendix A of this report: February 28, 2018, Council Report including Appendix A.

March to April 2018: A period of public review followed the presentation of the draft recommendations to Council providing the community with an opportunity to provide further feedback on the working group’s proposed recommendations. The working group hosted four education sessions and accepted comments online. The results are discussed in the working group’s final report. Staff Report on the Interim Tree Bylaw Working Group's Final Recommendations.

May 2019: Council directed staff to:
- use LiDAR data to establish a tree canopy baseline and prepare an Urban Forest Management Plan;
- report back to Council regarding the efficacy of the Interim Tree Bylaw in maintaining tree canopy cover and propose policy recommendations for any adjustments to the bylaw as required to maintain canopy cover;
- update the Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 4989, 2018 to add a fee for a tree removal permit for protected trees on private property; and
- prepare educational guidelines for tree protection and management on private property based on Interim Tree Bylaw Working Group recommendations.
On November 2, 2020, the proposed amendments to the Interim Tree Bylaw, based on recommendations from the Interim Tree Bylaw Working Group, resident concerns, and the results of the Tree Canopy Cover Study, were approved by Council. Staff Report on the Proposed Amendments to the Interim Tree Bylaw.