Tree Protection Bylaw Review

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The third and final phase of engagement concluded on May 12, 2024. Thank you to everyone who participated. See below ("What we heard: past engagement opportunities") to find out what we heard from the community. The feedback collected will inform staff’s recommendations to Council as well as Council’s consideration of the proposed Tree Protection Bylaw updates later this year.

The Tree Protection Bylaw currently regulates tree protection on public lands and private lands in some circumstances, including lands located within an environmentally sensitive area (ESA) or Riparian Management Zones. Proposed updates to the bylaw relate to tree protection only and do not seek to make any changes to the boundaries of ESAs or the development permit area guidelines for ESAs found in the Official Community Plan.

Our residents take great pride in their community and the natural environment. Trees are an important part of our local environment because they contribute to our health and well-being, and they help us respond to the effects of climate change.

Canopy cover (the proportion of land area covered by tree crowns as seen from the sky) is one way to keep track of the benefits we get from trees – for example, a dense canopy cover can lower temperatures in the area and reduce the negative effects of heavy rainfall and strong winds. Port Moody has lost canopy cover in recent decades as neighbourhoods have been redeveloped and the community has evolved.

What is the Tree Protection Bylaw?

Port Moody’s current Tree Protection Bylaw (PDF) was adopted in 1999 and last updated in 2015. It protects trees and regulates the removal of trees with a diameter of 10 centimetres or greater that are:

  • on City lands;
  • located in an environmentally sensitive area or streamside protection and enhancement area;
  • on a multi-unit property (e.g. condo, townhouse, duplex);
  • on a property with a covenant registered on the Certificate of Title that relates to trees and landscaping; or
  • on a property subject to a development approval.

The Tree Protection Bylaw also offers protection to any tree identified, and approved by Council, as significant because of its importance to the community, including for heritage or landmark values or as wildlife habitat.

Why are we doing a review?

Responding to Port Moody’s strong environmental stewardship values and the climate emergency, the City is reviewing its bylaw to ensure it is aligned with best management practices and community values.

The Tree Protection Bylaw Review will seek to:

  • confirm community values, goals, and concerns related to the management of trees on private property;
  • identify challenges and opportunities with the current bylaw; and
  • recommend bylaw updates reflecting Council direction, best management practices, municipal tools available, and community input.

Community engagement on the Tree Protection Bylaw Review was conducted in three phases. In the first phase of engagement (May/June 2022), we sought input from the public via our community survey on urban forest management. In phase two (May/June 2023), we gathered input on community values and preferences for tree protection requirements and tree removal in Port Moody. In Phase 3 (April/May 2024), we shared proposed key directions for bylaw updates and asked for feedback. The feedback collected will inform the development of draft updates to the Tree Protection Bylaw which will be presented to Council for approval.

What we heard: past engagement opportunities

Phase 3: read City staff's Report to Council and the Phase 3 Engagement Summary (agenda item 7.6), to be shared at the July 9, 2024 City Council meeting, to find out what we heard from the community. We asked for input on proposed updates to the Tree Protection Bylaw via:

  • Information session: we hosted an in-person information session on April 25, 2024
  • Community survey: we invited community members to fill out a survey in April/May 2024

Phase 2: read City staff's Report to Council and the Phase 2 Engagement Summary, shared at the September 12, 2023 City Council meeting (agenda item 7.4), to find out what we heard via our community survey.

  • Community survey (May/June 2023): we asked participants to share their values and preferences for tree protection requirements and tree removal in Port Moody. Thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts with us! Input collected will inform the development of key directions for bylaw updates.

Phase 1: read City staff's Report to Council and the Phase 1 Engagement Summary shared at the November 22, 2022 City Council meeting to find out what we heard from the community at our pop-up events and via our community survey.

  • Pop-up events: we hosted pop-up events in Rocky Point Park (May 27, 2022) and Bert Flinn Park (May 28, 2022). Thank you to everyone who joined us to review our information boards and provide input. If you weren't able to join us, you can read the Trees in Port Moody display boards (PDF) that were posted in the parks during the pop-ups.
  • Community survey: thank you to everyone who provided their input via our survey in May/June 2022.

The Phase 1 pop-up events and survey included general information and questions related to tree removal and tree protection requirements. The input that was collected will inform both the Urban Forest Management Strategy and the Tree Protection Bylaw Review.

>> Go back to the Trees in Port Moody landing page. Visit the linked Urban Forest Management Strategy project.

The third and final phase of engagement concluded on May 12, 2024. Thank you to everyone who participated. See below ("What we heard: past engagement opportunities") to find out what we heard from the community. The feedback collected will inform staff’s recommendations to Council as well as Council’s consideration of the proposed Tree Protection Bylaw updates later this year.

The Tree Protection Bylaw currently regulates tree protection on public lands and private lands in some circumstances, including lands located within an environmentally sensitive area (ESA) or Riparian Management Zones. Proposed updates to the bylaw relate to tree protection only and do not seek to make any changes to the boundaries of ESAs or the development permit area guidelines for ESAs found in the Official Community Plan.

Our residents take great pride in their community and the natural environment. Trees are an important part of our local environment because they contribute to our health and well-being, and they help us respond to the effects of climate change.

Canopy cover (the proportion of land area covered by tree crowns as seen from the sky) is one way to keep track of the benefits we get from trees – for example, a dense canopy cover can lower temperatures in the area and reduce the negative effects of heavy rainfall and strong winds. Port Moody has lost canopy cover in recent decades as neighbourhoods have been redeveloped and the community has evolved.

What is the Tree Protection Bylaw?

Port Moody’s current Tree Protection Bylaw (PDF) was adopted in 1999 and last updated in 2015. It protects trees and regulates the removal of trees with a diameter of 10 centimetres or greater that are:

  • on City lands;
  • located in an environmentally sensitive area or streamside protection and enhancement area;
  • on a multi-unit property (e.g. condo, townhouse, duplex);
  • on a property with a covenant registered on the Certificate of Title that relates to trees and landscaping; or
  • on a property subject to a development approval.

The Tree Protection Bylaw also offers protection to any tree identified, and approved by Council, as significant because of its importance to the community, including for heritage or landmark values or as wildlife habitat.

Why are we doing a review?

Responding to Port Moody’s strong environmental stewardship values and the climate emergency, the City is reviewing its bylaw to ensure it is aligned with best management practices and community values.

The Tree Protection Bylaw Review will seek to:

  • confirm community values, goals, and concerns related to the management of trees on private property;
  • identify challenges and opportunities with the current bylaw; and
  • recommend bylaw updates reflecting Council direction, best management practices, municipal tools available, and community input.

Community engagement on the Tree Protection Bylaw Review was conducted in three phases. In the first phase of engagement (May/June 2022), we sought input from the public via our community survey on urban forest management. In phase two (May/June 2023), we gathered input on community values and preferences for tree protection requirements and tree removal in Port Moody. In Phase 3 (April/May 2024), we shared proposed key directions for bylaw updates and asked for feedback. The feedback collected will inform the development of draft updates to the Tree Protection Bylaw which will be presented to Council for approval.

What we heard: past engagement opportunities

Phase 3: read City staff's Report to Council and the Phase 3 Engagement Summary (agenda item 7.6), to be shared at the July 9, 2024 City Council meeting, to find out what we heard from the community. We asked for input on proposed updates to the Tree Protection Bylaw via:

  • Information session: we hosted an in-person information session on April 25, 2024
  • Community survey: we invited community members to fill out a survey in April/May 2024

Phase 2: read City staff's Report to Council and the Phase 2 Engagement Summary, shared at the September 12, 2023 City Council meeting (agenda item 7.4), to find out what we heard via our community survey.

  • Community survey (May/June 2023): we asked participants to share their values and preferences for tree protection requirements and tree removal in Port Moody. Thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts with us! Input collected will inform the development of key directions for bylaw updates.

Phase 1: read City staff's Report to Council and the Phase 1 Engagement Summary shared at the November 22, 2022 City Council meeting to find out what we heard from the community at our pop-up events and via our community survey.

  • Pop-up events: we hosted pop-up events in Rocky Point Park (May 27, 2022) and Bert Flinn Park (May 28, 2022). Thank you to everyone who joined us to review our information boards and provide input. If you weren't able to join us, you can read the Trees in Port Moody display boards (PDF) that were posted in the parks during the pop-ups.
  • Community survey: thank you to everyone who provided their input via our survey in May/June 2022.

The Phase 1 pop-up events and survey included general information and questions related to tree removal and tree protection requirements. The input that was collected will inform both the Urban Forest Management Strategy and the Tree Protection Bylaw Review.

>> Go back to the Trees in Port Moody landing page. Visit the linked Urban Forest Management Strategy project.

  • Intent of the proposed bylaw changes

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    The Tree Protection Bylaw currently regulates tree protection on public lands and private lands in some circumstances, including lands located within an environmentally sensitive area (ESA) or Riparian Management Zones. Proposed updates to the bylaw relate to tree protection only and do not seek to make any changes to the boundaries of ESAs or the development permit area guidelines for ESAs found in the Official Community Plan.

    If approved by Council, the proposed updates to the Tree Protection Bylaw would:

    - apply everywhere in the City, specifically:

    • continue to protect any tree 10 centimetres (cm) in diameter or greater on developing properties or environmentally sensitive areas (ESA; this is unchanged);

    • protect any tree 30 cm in diameter or greater equally on all other properties, including on existing strata and single detached properties (this is new).

    - continue to prioritize tree retention (except when removal is necessary for safety reasons or to mitigate infrastructure damage);

    - continue to plant replacement trees for every bylaw-protected tree removed, but adjust the number of replacement trees required based on:

    • the replacement tree species’ canopy cover potential at maturity, i.e.: one replacement tree per tree removed if the replacement species is medium or large at maturity, or two if the replacement species is small at maturity;

    • the size of the tree removed, with trees with a 50 cm diameter or greater requiring twice as many replacement trees as other trees; and

    • flexibility to waive replacement requirements for properties that exceed the City’s canopy cover targets after tree removal.

    - on construction sites, require property owners to pay a refundable tree protection security deposit for trees near site disturbance (to be refunded if tree(s) were protected adequately); and

    - require property owners to pay permit fees to cover the bylaw’s administrative costs and adjust these based on the application type (i.e., lower for non-development applications).

    If the bylaw updates are approved, they will also provide improved and clarified definitions and structure, align with current best practices, and standardize the information required with permit applications.

  • Proposed bylaw updates by property type

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    The bylaw categorizes properties by type, with slightly different application depending on the property.

    Properties undergoing development

    The current Tree Protection Bylaw applies to all properties subject to development approval.

    What stays the same – properties undergoing development still need to:

    - obtain a permit to remove trees 10 centimetres (cm) in diameter or greater;

    - modify proposed buildings and structures when possible to retain a tree, with emphasis on protecting large diameter trees (50 cm in diameter or greater), environmentally sensitive areas, rare/slow-growing native species (Pacific dogwood, Arbutus, Pacific yew, cascara, shore pine, and Western white pine), and heritage/landmark trees;

    - replace every tree removed with two replacement trees (or pay cash-in-lieu if there is insufficient space to replant on the property; the City will plant the tree elsewhere);

    - pay a refundable security deposit of $740 for every replacement tree to guarantee planting; and

    - comply with applicable regulations such as the provincial Wildlife Act, federal Fisheries Act, federal Species at Risk Act, and federal Migratory Birds Convention Act.

    Proposed changes – if the bylaw updates are approved, properties undergoing development will need to:

    - adjust the replacement requirements based on canopy cover potential at maturity, meaning that permit holders will need to plant more replacement trees if they choose replacement tree species that will be small at maturity; and

    - pay a refundable tree protection security deposit for trees retained on construction sites (this will be refunded after construction if the tree(s) were protected adequately).


    Properties within an environmentally sensitive area (ESA)

    The current Tree Protection Bylaw applies to all properties within an environmentally sensitive area (ESA).

    What stays the same – developed/existing properties within environmentally sensitive areas need to:

    - obtain a permit to remove trees 10 centimetres (cm) in diameter or greater; and

    - comply with applicable regulations such as the provincial Wildlife Act, federal Fisheries Act, federal Species at Risk Act, and federal Migratory Birds Convention Act.

    Proposed changes – if the bylaw updates are approved, developed/existing properties within environmentally sensitive areas will need to:

    - adjust the replacement requirements based on canopy cover potential at maturity, meaning that permit holders will need to plant more replacement trees if they choose replacement tree species that will be small at maturity;

    - pay lower permit fees or refundable security deposits than properties undergoing development:

    • a $75 permit fee (no permit fee for removing hazardous trees); and

    • a refundable security deposit (or cash-in-lieu if replacement trees cannot be planted on the property) of $370 per tree (reduction from current $740 per tree).

    All other properties

    Outside of properties undergoing development or properties located within an Environmentally Sensitive Area, the current Tree Protection Bylaw applies to existing strata properties.

    What stays the same – all existing strata properties need to:

    - obtain a permit to remove trees 30 cm in diameter or greater.

    Proposed changes – if the bylaw updates are approved, all other developed/existing properties, including strata and single detached properties, will need to:

    - obtain a permit to remove trees 30 cm in diameter or greater:

    • strata properties will no longer need a permit to remove trees 10-29 cm in diameter except within environmentally sensitive areas or for smaller native species.

    - Adjust the replacement requirements based on canopy cover potential at maturity, meaning that permit holders will need to plant more replacement trees if they choose replacement tree species that will be small at maturity; and

    -pay lower permit fees or refundable security deposits than developing properties:

    • a $75 permit fee (no permit fee for removing hazardous trees); and

    • a refundable security deposit (or cash-in-lieu if replacement trees cannot be planted on the property) of $370 per tree (reduction from current $740 per tree).

  • About Port Moody’s existing Tree Protection Bylaw

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    Port Moody's Tree Protection Bylaw currently includes the following elements:


    Requirement to submit an arborist report

    An application for a tree removal permit must be accompanied by an arborist report that includes:

    • details of the proposed practices and procedures for tree and vegetation protection during removal and replanting;
    • a map identifying and documentation confirming any existing tree retention areas, streamside protection and enhancement areas, and environmentally sensitive areas within or adjacent to the subject land
    • a description of predominant species, approximate age, size, condition, location, and number of trees within the subject land;
    • a map identifying and documentation confirming any significant trees or wildlife trees located within the subject land;
    • a Tree Removal Plan, complete with a map locating all trees and vegetation proposed to be removed;
    • a Tree Retention Plan; and
    • a Tree Replanting Plan, complete with a map identifying proposed replacement trees, and showing the replanting of two or more replacement trees for each tree removed from the land.


    Requirements to replace trees removed

    • For every bylaw-protected tree removed, two replacement trees are required
    • The replacement trees must be of the same species as the tree removed
    • Where space is insufficient to plant trees on site, a cash-in-lieu option is available for the applicant to fund the planting of replacement trees on public land


    Protection of retained trees

    • An arborist must make recommendations on tree protection and ensure that these recommendations are considered throughout the construction process.
    • The owner must ensure that all tree retention areas are protected from disruption, injury, or damage.


    To read more about trees on private property and the full Tree Protection Bylaw, visit portmoody.ca/trees.

Page last updated: 22 Jul 2024, 03:02 PM