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Tree Bylaw

The City of Port Coquitlam's Tree Bylaw aims to protect our City’s natural heritage and acknowledges the value of maintaining our trees. It applies to all land in Port Coquitlam except properties within the Agricultural Land Reserve.

Under the bylaw, a Tree-Cutting Permit is required for the removal of more than one tree per calendar year per property lot.

Tree-damaging activities are not permitted, including:
  • cutting, undermining or damaging roots;
  • placing fill, building materials or other structures over the roots;
  • operating trucks, backhoes, excavators or other heavy equipment over the roots;
  • denting, gouging or damaging the trunk;
  • removing or scraping bark;
  • depositing concrete washout or other harmful substances near the roots;
  • adding or removing soil to change the original soil grade; and
  • tree topping (cutting off the top portion of a tree).
For the purposes of the bylaw, a tree is defined to have a diameter of at least 20 cm [8"] measured at 1.4 m [4.5'] above the ground.

Downloads:

Tree-Cutting Permits

Parks and Recreation Department staff review requests for Tree-Cutting Permits and inform applicants of the decision, and if approved, any conditions to be met and the permit cost.

Additional documents may be required:
  • a letter and/or an arborist’s report explaining the reasons for the removal of more than one tree;
  • a copy of a Development Permit, if applicable; and
  • a letter of authorization from the property owner, if the applicant is not the owner.
 
Bylaw Exemptions

There are some general exemptions in the Tree Bylaw.
  • Trees may be removed without a Tree-Cutting Permit under these circumstances:
  • surveyors cutting survey lines having a width less than 2 metres (7');
  • removal or pruning of dead, diseased and damaged trees (an arborist’s report may be required);
  • emergency removal of dangerous or hazardous trees and branches – the City may require such trees to be replaced;
  • pruning and/or removal of hedges; and
  • cutting one tree within a calendar year per property lot (see tree definition above) – as long as it is not a significant tree (see below) and not located in a watercourse protection area.

Significant Trees

Significant trees are defined in four categories:

Native Tree Species:
  • Pacific Dogwood – diameter at least 10 cm (4")
  • Douglas Fir – diameter at least 70 cm (28")
  • Sitka Spruce – diameter at least 70 cm (28")
  • Grand Fir – diameter at least 70 cm (28")
  • Western Red Cedar – diameter at least   70 cm (28")
  • Arbutus – diameter at least 70 cm (28")
  • Western Yew – diameter at least 10 cm (4")
Wildlife Trees:
  • Any tree currently being used for bird nesting.
  • Any dead standing snag or hazardous trees being used as wildlife habitat.
Heritage Trees:
  • Any tree designated and registered by size, age or cultural significance on a list of heritage trees.
Specimen Trees:
  • Any unusual specimen tree as designated and registered by a Certified Arborist upon inspection.
Removing Significant Trees
Permits to remove significant trees may only be obtained if necessary to:
  • construct a building, an addition to a building, or a driveway;
  • install roads or services shown on an approved engineering drawing; or
  • provide required off-street parking or underground or above-ground utilities.

Appeals

Property owners who do not agree with a decision regarding the Tree Bylaw are entitled to present their case in person or in writing to the next scheduled Parks and Recreation Committee meeting.

Property owners who are not satisfied with that decision may present their case to City Council, which will provide a final ruling.


More Information:

Parks and Recreation Department
Phone 604.927.7900
Fax 604.927.7910
Email parksrec@portcoquitlam.ca
#1100-2253 Leigh Square
Port Coquitlam, BC, V3C 3B8