Tree Management Permits

Street trees lining the sidewalk of some townhouses

Port Moody’s Tree Protection Bylaw preserves and enhances our urban forest by regulating tree removal, requiring replacement planting, and supporting long-term canopy cover targets. The Bylaw provides policies for tree management permitting. Permits are required for the removal of trees on private property and for the protection of retained trees on developing properties. The type of permit you submit will depend on the type of removal or retention that is taking place.

The following applies to trees on private property. For inquiries about trees on City-owned lands, contact the Operations Division by phone at 604.469.4574 or by email.

Do I need a Tree Management Permit?

Tree Management Permits are required for most trees in Port Moody. You must apply for a permit if the tree is:

  • ≥30 cm DBH (diameter at breast height);
  • ≥10 cm DBH and located in an Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) or Riparian Management Zone (RMZ);
  • ≥10 cm DBH and is one of the following protected native species: arbutus, cascara, pacific dogwood, pacific yew, shore pine, western white pine;
  • ≥10 cm DBH on developing properties; or
  • a replacement tree, a retained tree, or protected by covenant.

On developing properties, a permit may also be required for trees that are not being removed but need retention and protection.

You can use the City's interactive map to check for ESA or RMZ locations.

Unauthorized tree removal may result in fines, doubled fees, forfeiture of securities, and additional replacement.

When permits are not required

You do not need a permit if you are:

  • pruning your tree in accordance with best arboricultural practices;
  • removing an invasive species listed by the province or Invasive Species Council of BC;
  • removing a tree under the authority of BC Hydro or a provincial/federal agency;
  • a City crew or agent performing work under an approved City operational plan; or
  • removing a tree due to a documented emergency, such as imminent tree failure (you must apply for a permit the next business day and provide evidence).

The City adopted a new Tree Protection Bylaw in March 2026. For helpful summaries of key changes, please read:

Tree management permit applications

The accordions below outline permit requirements for each type of tree removal and link to the corresponding application form. Please select the application that is relevant to the trees on your property.

This permit is required if you are proposing to remove one or more protected trees on your property and the property is not associated with a development permit, subdivision, or building permit application. A permit is required if the trees meets any of the following:

  • ≥30 cm DBH on any lot
  • ≥10 cm DBH in a Riparian or Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA)
  • ≥10 cm DBH and a protected native species (e.g., arbutus, pacific dogwood, yew)

Required documents

  • Arborist report
  • Site plan showing tree location
  • Tree replacement plan
  • Letter of Authorization (PDF) if you are submitting an application on behalf of the property owner(s)
  • Letter of Authorization for Strata Properties (PDF) if the property is within a strata
  • Letter and supporting documentation from a qualified expert
  • Bird nesting survey prepared by a qualified environmental professional for tree removal between March-August

Apply for a non-development Tree Removal Permit.

For lots subject to a development approval (e.g., zoning amendment, subdivision, development permit, variance permit, temporary use permit, demolition permit, or building permit), you need a permit if removing any protected tree on a site with:

  • a valid building, development, or demolition permit
  • approved servicing, rezoning, or subdivision

Required documents

  • Letter of intent
  • Letter of Authorization (PDF) if you are submitting an application on behalf of the property owner(s)
  • Letter of Authorization for Strata Properties (PDF) if the property is within a strata
  • Arborist report
  • Tree replacement plan
  • Tree management plan
  • Letter of assurance
  • Post construction impact report (if applicable, submitted after construction)
  • Bird nesting survey prepared by qualified environmental professional for tree removal between March-August

Permit conditions

Confirmation of tree protection fencing installation is required before the permit is issued. Learn more in the Tree Protection Barriers fact sheet.

Once issued, the permit must be posted visibly on site.

Work must comply with the approved tree permit and construction plans.

Post-construction arborist memo must be submitted, with supervision records if applicable.

Apply for a development-related Tree Management Permit for a single detached residential dwelling or for all other uses. 

This permit is for trees posing imminent risk, confirmed by a TRAQ-certified arborist.

Confirm eligibility

An arborist must confirm high or extreme TRAQ risk rating and recommend removal as the only feasible mitigation option

Gather required documents

Documents required for this permit include:

Apply for a hazardous tree removal permit.

This permit is for trees that are confirmed dead or have >50% crown dieback.

Required documents

Note: An arborist report is typically not required for requests to remove dead trees. The City may request one in certain circumstances.

Apply for a dead tree removal permit.

This permit applies to any construction, excavation, or site activity within 10m of a Protected Tree trunk or Tree Protection Zone (TPZ), even if tree removal is not proposed, including:

  • City boulevard trees
  • Protected trees on or adjacent to the construction zone

Required documents

 Permit conditions

  • Confirmation of tree protection fencing installation is required prior to permit issuance
  • Post permit visibly on-site
  • Arborist supervision required for excavation or work inside TPZ

After work completion

  • Arborist must submit post-construction memo confirming:
    • Compliance with protection measures
    • No damage to retained trees

Apply for tree protection during site disturbance near retained trees.

Owner authorization

Make sure you include authorization letters if:

  • you are submitting an application on behalf of the property owner(s), you must provide a Letter of Authorization (PDF) signed by all registered owner(s);
  • the property is within a strata, upload a completed Letter of Authorization for Strata Properties (PDF); or 
  • the owner is an incorporated company/society, attach a current corporate/society search or "notice of directors."

Application process

Applications are submitted online. Before starting your application, make sure you have the required documents for your permit type. Additional documentation may be required based on the specific conditions and context of the site. Once you have confirmed which permit you need, the process is as follows:



  1. Prepare your application and gather documents
  2. Submit application online
  3. Staff review and decision (typically two to four weeks)
    • If approved, a Tree Management Permit will be issued and must be posted onsite and visible from the street before work begins.
  4. Replacement and securities deposit
    • Tree species, spacing, and soil volume must comply with City standards.
    • Cash-in-lieu may be considered only if planting is not feasible.
  5. Security release
    • If trees fail to establish, the owner may be required to replant and maintain them for an additional two years. If replanting does not occur, the City may draw from the security to plant trees elsewhere.

Once the application is confirmed complete, staff will provide payment instructions for the permit fee and any required tree replacement securities. See section 15 of the Bylaw for further detail.

Frequently asked questions

You must still apply for a permit.

  • For hazardous trees, an arborist report is required (ISA-certified with TRAQ).
  • For dead or declining trees (more than 50% crown dieback), an arborist report may be requested. Permits are generally granted for these scenarios.

Yes. Replacement planting is required in nearly all cases. Standard requirements are listed in section 13 of the Tree Protection Bylaw.

View the replacement tree species list.

You must pay a refundable security to ensure trees are planted and maintained. These are returned in two parts:

  • 50% after planting
  • 50% after two years if the tree is healthy

Securities may also apply for retained trees on development sites to protect them during construction.

See the Fees Bylaw for costs by permit type.

DBH is a standard method of measuring the diameter of a tree's trunk at 4.5 feet above the ground. To measure DBH, wrap a measuring tape around the tree trunk at this height to find the circumference. Then, divide the circumference by 3.14 to calculate the diameter. 

You do not need a tree management permit if you wish to prune trees on your own property. Consult the best management practices of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) to ensure the pruning will not damage the tree or that you are not contravening the bylaw.  To ensure proper pruning methods, hire an ISA certified arborist to ensure you are following best practices and the tree is not being damaged.

If you are removing a tree anytime between March 1 and August 31, you may need to have a bird nesting survey done by a Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP) in order to get a tree removal permit. The QEP will survey the tree and surrounding area for any active nests. This is to ensure the protection of wildlife within Port Moody. Learn more on the Environmental Protection and Requirements page.

For emergency tree removals contact treepermits@portmoody.ca.

Additional resources 

Key documents and links

map icon  View your property on the interactive map

Contact Us

Planning Division
Second Floor
100 Newport Drive
Port Moody, B.C.
V3H 5C3
604.469.4540
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