­Environmental Protection and Requirements

Toxic substances may be present in the soil vapour, sediment, surface water, and groundwater of industrial and commercial properties. Properties may be deemed contaminated if substances occur at concentrations that pose a hazard to human health or the environment, or exceed levels specified in provincial policies and regulations.

Under the Environmental Management Act (EMA) and the Contaminated Sites Regulation (CSR), applicants seeking zoning, subdivision, development, or building permits that involve land with a history of commercial or industrial use, are required to submit a Site Disclosure Statement (SDS) to the municipality.

The City’s policy requires the submission of an SDS as part of any development application, even if there is no history of commercial or industrial use at the site, for documentation and risk management purposes. Additional studies are required where contamination is possible.

If a site is contaminated, the CSR mandates that it needs to be cleaned up or remediated before it can be redeveloped and used for another purpose. This process ensures the property is suitable and safe for the proposed use. The City of Port Moody must confirm that the necessary provincial documents are in place, valid, and appropriate for the proposed land use before final approvals for development or construction are granted.

Below are some links to information from the Ministry of Environment on the site disclosure process, standards, legislation, and guidance in assessment and remediation of contaminated sites. 

• Site identification
• Site disclosure statement
• Site registry user's guide
• Site information request process

Under the Stream and Drainage Bylaw, an ESC permit must be issued prior to any planned ground disturbance occurring, such as clearing/grubbing, excavation, or grading. Visit Erosion and Sediment Control for more information.

ESAs are natural areas where City works and development must proceed with care. The Environmental Sensitive Areas Development Permit (DPA4) guides development in and near to ESAs. The DPA4 restricts tree removal, vegetation removal, and site grading. 

To learn if DPA4 applies to your property, you can view OCP Map 13, or use the interactive ViewPort map by turning on the “ESA & Watercourses” layers in the legend. If you are unsure if DPA4 applies to your project, please contact us.

Your development permit application may include the following reports and plans:

• Environmental impact assessment
• Fish habitat assessment report
• Arborist report
• Invasive plant assessment report
• Invasive plant management plan
• Erosion and sediment control plan
• Construction environmental management plan

The City’s Zoning Bylaw also identifies riparian management zones which are intended to keep development activities away from sensitive environments around streams and watercourses. These setbacks regulate the distance from which certain development activities must be located away from watercourses.

The City’s Urban Forest Management Strategy helps us preserve and maximize the benefits that trees provide and respond to the impacts of climate change and urban growth and development. With this strategy in mind, you must obtain a tree removal permit prior to removing trees on a development site. Arborist reports are also required in the format outlined in the Arborist Report Terms of Reference. The documents below further outline tree requirements for developments:

• Tree protection barrier fact sheet
• Tree replacement 
  

Port Moody is home to many bird species, both resident migratory. The general bird nesting period is March 1 to August 31, when bird activity is high. Nests, eggs, and young are protected under the BC Wildlife Act and federal Migratory Birds Convention Act. Bird nests in Port Moody occur in trees, on the ground, or in shrubs at waist height. 

Avoid tree and brush clearing activities during the general nesting period wherever possible, and ensure that you comply with the City's Bird Nest Protection Policy. If you are removing a tree anytime between March 1 and August 31, you may need to have a 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.

The City recognizes the importance of Burrard Inlet and surrounding forested areas for providing habitat for migratory bird species. The City will require the evaluation and use of mitigative design strategies to reduce the potential for bird strikes as a result of proposed developments, depending on the location and scale. The Port Moody Sustainability Checklist includes a set of bird-friendly design guidelines for new development. A qualified environmental professional may be required to submit a report that recommends strategies to mitigate risk of bird window collisions, through building design, landscaping, and light pollution.

Naturescape principles and native plants are required on re-developed private property that is located adjacent to or within the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Development Permit Area. Learn more about our Naturescape Policy.

For guidance on increasing climate resiliency through horticultural practices, read our Climate Resilient Landscaping Standards (PDF).

The City’s network of parks, greenways, forests, and riparian areas plays a vital role in the health and well-being of our environment and community. In addition to providing habitat for plants, fish and wildlife, these natural assets also provide important ecosystem services including stormwater management, shading/cooling (reducing the urban heat island effect), improved air quality, climate change mitigation, and providing space for recreation. Developments should incorporate on and off-site green infrastructure features such as rain gardens, bioswales, green roofs, absorbent landscaping, integration of pervious surfacing for walkways and driveways, tree trench swales, and/or spaces for tree stands to reach full maturity.

In 2024, the City was declared a Bear Smart Community. In support of this status, developments must undertake measures to reduce human-wildlife conflicts. This can be done by incorporating the City's Preferred Plant List into their Landscape Plans. The guide includes lists of plants that are recommended and plants to avoid.   

Developers must also incorporate the City’s Bear-Resistant Design Guidelines for Solid Waste, Organics, and Recycling Enclosures and Containers into their projects.