New Westminster tree rules for developers and project managers
The detail behind the project tree check: what the City requires at each stage, with the bylaw or guide section for every rule.
How New Westminster's tree bylaw affects development
The same 20 cm limit applies before and during development, but development brings the paperwork: every development application needs an arborist report, and the barrier sign-off gates your demolition and building permits.
| Project | What the City needs |
|---|---|
| Addition, renovation or accessory building near trees | Small Projects stream tree permit. Arborist report if there are 3 or more protected trees, a specimen tree, off-site trees affected or significant digging near roots. Owner-occupiers can have it waived on simple lots. |
| New house, laneway or carriage house, infill, demolition | Development Projects stream. Arborist report, tree survey, tree protection plan and replacement plan, with building plans, site plan, site service plan and topographical survey. |
| Rezoning, subdivision, development permit, variance, fill permit | Arborist report with every application, plus the tree protection and replacement plans. Retained trees carry a security. |
| Work near trees with nothing removed | A CRZ work authorization for any work within 4 m of a protected tree's drip line. |
Retention comes first
The City expects arborists to focus on keeping trees and to recommend design changes that make that possible. It can suggest changes to your site plan, and if you accept, your retained tree security is cut by 50% and a variance to fit the redesign is available.
Removal is narrow
A healthy tree can only come out for development if it's in the footprint of something the zoning allows and the plan can't be changed to keep it, as the City decides.
From survey to security refund: the New Westminster tree timeline
The stages most development projects with protected trees go through. The gold stages are gates: nothing moves on site until they're done.
- Before you apply
Survey every tree, including the neighbours'
A BC land surveyor's tree survey of every protected tree on site, and on neighbouring lots and City land within 4 m of the property line, with base elevations and utilities.
- Before you apply
Arborist report, tree protection plan and replacement plan
Prepared by a TRAQ-qualified arborist with a New Westminster business licence. The City may also ask for a root mapping report along the excavation lines.
- Application
Apply through the Development Projects stream
With a title search under 72 hours old, consent for any off-site trees, and the $75 application fee.
- Review
City review, usually 4 to 6 weeks
The City Arborist reviews the reports and plans and returns comments for revision if anything is missing.
- Gate
Barriers built and signed off
Schedule B barriers around every kept tree, and your arborist's letter with photos approved by the City Arborist.
- Gate
Fees and securities paid, permit issued
Then paint-mark the trees and post the green placard at least 24 hours before cutting.
- Permit
Demolition, building or fill permit
Not issued until the barriers have been approved. The tree permit expires 6 months after it's issued.
- Construction
Barriers stay up, arborist supervises
Any work inside a barrier needs a letter of undertaking and your arborist on site, with a supervision report afterwards.
- Replanting
Plant the replacements
Within 6 months of the permit unless the City sets another date. 40% of the replacement security comes back on planting.
- Afterwards
Final inspection and security refunds
Retained tree security after final building inspection; the rest of the replacement security after 12 months.
New Westminster arborist report and plan requirements
The City's April 2025 requirements and its technical guidebook set out exactly what each document must show. Missing items send the submission back.
| Document | Prepared by | What it must show |
|---|---|---|
| Tree survey | BC land surveyor | Location and DBH of every protected tree on site, and on neighbouring lots and City land within 4 m; base elevations; utilities, easements, building footprints and grades; metric, legible at 11 x 17 |
| Arborist report | ISA Certified Arborist with TRAQ and a City or intermunicipal business licence | Credentials, licence and insurance; Level 2 assessment of every tree in a table (species, DBH to 1 cm, condition, risk rating, CRZ, nests); impact assessment and mitigation; reasons for each removal and retention options; photos; signed, valid 12 months |
| Tree protection plan | ISA Certified Arborist or landscape architect | Surveyed trees with tags, separate symbols for kept, moved and removed trees, critical root zones, Schedule B barrier locations and dimensions, utilities, hardscape, grades and access |
| Tree replacement plan | Arborist or landscape architect | Number, species, caliper and location of replacements, clear of utilities, buildings and existing trees |
| Root mapping report | ISA Certified Arborist | When the City asks: hand-dug trenches along excavation lines, with each root's position, depth and diameter, photos and a section |
| Letter of undertaking | Your arborist, signed by owner and contractor | When barriers must move: the works the arborist will supervise, marked on the tree protection plan |
| Arborist site supervision report | Your arborist | After each supervision period: dates, works, impacts, mitigation and dated photos |
| Engineer's report | Professional engineer | In hazardous conditions development permit areas: slope stability, flooding and erosion |
Not sure which of these your project needs? Your free project tree check points you to them, and we can prepare the arborist report, tree protection plan and replacement plan for a fixed fee.
Bylaw 7799, s.2.1(d), (yy), (aaa) and (bbb), s.5.2(m), s.8.6; Arborist Report Requirements, April 2025; UFMS Technical Guidebook (2018), s.2.1 to 2.7; Root Mapping Report handout (2019).Tree protection barriers (Schedule B)
Barriers go up before any work starts and stay until the City approves their removal. The minimum distance from the trunk is 6 times the trunk diameter.
| Trunk diameter | Minimum distance from trunk |
|---|---|
| 20 cm | 1.2 m |
| 30 cm | 1.8 m |
| 40 cm | 2.4 m |
| 50 cm | 3.0 m |
| 60 cm | 3.6 m |
| 75 cm | 4.5 m |
| 90 cm | 5.0 m |
| 100 cm | 6.0 m |
How it's built
50 x 100 mm wood posts with bracing, staked 450 mm into finished grade and no more than 2 m apart, with plastic mesh fixed to a wood frame. A 900 x 450 mm weatherproof Tree Protection Area sign. Set 300 mm back from paving and 600 mm from curbs.
Boulevard trees
See-through fencing at least 0.6 m from the curb and 0.3 m from a sidewalk, leaving pedestrians, hydrants, driveways and crosswalks clear.
The 4 m rule and CRZ work authorizations
Most construction conflicts come from this rule, and it covers neighbours' and City trees too.
- The rule. No excavation, demolition, construction, fill or engineering works within 4 m of a protected tree's drip line until a barrier is around its critical root zone and you hold a tree permit that covers it.
- Nothing being removed? You need a CRZ work authorization instead, with a tree protection plan and your arborist's barrier sign-off. Owner-occupiers can have the City inspect the barrier for a fee. It expires after 6 months, and the yellow placard is posted 24 hours before work.
- Inside the barrier. No grading, storage of soil or materials, toxic materials, vehicles or heavy equipment, amenity space, or using trunks as winch anchors or power poles.
- Moving a barrier. Only with your arborist's report on why and for how long, and a signed letter of undertaking that they'll be on site supervising.
Tree securities
Two securities, held in cash or a letter of credit from a Canadian financial institution, with no interest paid.
- Replacement tree security. 40% back when your arborist or landscape architect confirms the planting, and the rest after 12 months of maintenance with their follow-up report. Stakes and wrap must be off and trees in leaf.
- Retained tree security. For trees kept through a subdivision, development, variance, building, demolition, fill or tree permit, or a CRZ work authorization. Held until final building inspection, then released with your arborist's letter and photos confirming the trees weren't damaged.
- 50% off for redesign. If the City suggests changes to keep specific trees and you make them, the retained tree security on those trees is halved.
- Hedges. Every 4 m of hedge counts as one tree for security.
- Amounts. Set in Schedule E of the Climate Action, Planning & Development Fees and Rates Bylaw No. 7683.
Replacement plans on development sites
2 trees for each healthy protected tree removed, 1 for each hazardous or heavily diseased one, and 1 per 4 m of hedge.
Species
From the City's 2025 climate-adapted replacement list, following the 30-20-10 diversity rule. No Japanese maples; dogwoods and magnolias need approval. Drought-tolerant species unless irrigated.
Placement
At least 1 m from property lines and underground utilities, 3 m from dwellings, clear of existing trees and overhead lines. Spacing, stock and planting to the Canadian Landscape Standard.
On City land
For replacement trees on City property, the City picks the species and location, supplies the stock and plants it at the project owner's cost. The owner prepares the soil and tree pit to City standards.
When they won't fit
At least one goes on the lot. If your arborist confirms the rest won't fit, you pay cash-in-lieu at the fee schedule rate.
What holds New Westminster tree approvals up
Each of these comes straight from the City's rules, and any one can stop a permit.
The wrong arborist
Reports need TRAQ and a New Westminster or intermunicipal business licence, or they aren't accepted.
An old report
Arborist reports older than 12 months aren't accepted.
Missing neighbour trees
Protected trees on neighbouring lots and City land within 4 m belong on the survey and plan.
No barrier sign-off
The arborist's barrier letter with photos must be approved before the tree permit and before demolition, building or fill permits.
A stale title search
It must be from the Land Title Office within 72 hours of applying.
No retention options
Reports that jump to removal without retention options come back for revision.
See what this means for your project
Answer a few quick questions and see whether New Westminster will want an arborist report, tree protection plan and tree permit. If you'd like help, send your site plan and we'll quote a fixed fee for your arborist report, tree protection plan or construction supervision.
Start the project tree check