New Westminster · homeowners and property managers
Do you need a permit to remove a tree in New Westminster?
Tap your answer and leave your details. A certified arborist will call you within one business day.
Reports by an ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist® who is also an ISA Certified Arborist® with Tree Risk Assessment Qualification. Fixed fees, never tied to what the report concludes.
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New Westminster tree permit questions
Do I need a permit to cut down a tree in New Westminster?
If it's a protected tree, yes. That's any tree 20 cm or more in diameter measured 1.3 m above its base (or whose two largest trunks add up to 20 cm), any tree or shrub on City land, specimen trees over 60 cm, hedges 5 m or taller, trees with evidence of bird nesting, and trees planted as replacements or kept on a tree protection plan.
Do I need a permit to prune a tree in New Westminster?
No, as long as the pruning follows the ANSI A300 standard and ISA best practices. It doesn't count as pruning if it raises the crown so less than half the tree has live branches, removes more than 25% of the crown in a season, tops the tree, or cuts structural roots inside the critical root zone. Boulevard and City trees can't be pruned without the City's approval.
What reasons will the City accept for removing a healthy tree?
The bylaw allows three: the tree is hazardous, as identified in writing by an arborist; it's in the footprint of a building, service, driveway or parking area the zoning allows and the plan can't be changed to keep it; or its roots are damaging sewers, drains, water lines, septic fields or power lines, confirmed by an engineer and your arborist. Dead and declining trees have their own application stream.
How much does a New Westminster tree permit cost?
The City's 2025 development guide lists a $75 non-refundable application fee. Permit fees, securities and cash-in-lieu are set in Schedule E of the City's Climate Action, Planning & Development Fees and Rates Bylaw No. 7683, and the City calculates them during its review, which usually takes 4 to 6 weeks.
My tree is dead or looks dangerous. What do I do?
Dead trees have a Dead Tree Removal stream where the City can waive the arborist report if your photos show the tree is dead or declining and you sign a commitment letter to replant. Hazardous trees need an arborist's written assessment. If a tree is about to fall from natural causes and there's no time for a permit, it can be cut, but you must report it with a photo by the next business day and leave the wood on site until the City confirms.
How many replacement trees will I need?
Under the bylaw, 1 for a hazardous or heavily diseased tree and 2 for any other protected tree, or 1 per 4 m of hedge. They must be 3 to 5 cm caliper, from the City's replacement list, and planted within 6 months of the permit. At least one goes on your lot; cash-in-lieu covers any that won't fit. The City's 2025 guides quote 1:2 for all removals, so confirm your number.
Can you write the arborist report?
Yes. Reports are written and signed by an ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist who is also an ISA Certified Arborist with Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ), to the City's April 2025 requirements. The fee is fixed before the site visit and never depends on what the report concludes. Reports recommend work by certified, insured and licensed professionals, and never tell you who to hire.
Do you do the tree work?
We have a network of vetted, insured local companies who can visit and quote, and you're always free to get your own quotes. If you book one of our crews, you pay the deposit through our payment system and they're the contractor for your job.