The City of Abbotsford has a
bylaw in place to preserve the tree canopy in Abbotsford. The City also has measures in place to ensure that all trees are healthy and viable and contribute positively to the natural environment. Tress are important in our community to help us sustain a healthy, natural environment.
Before cutting down any trees on your property, it is important to contact the Urban Forestry Section to ensure that you are in compliance with the bylaw. The minimum tree size that requires a tree cutting permits 20 cm or 8" in diameter, measured at 1.4 metres from the ground.
There is a fee for the cutting permit. The current fee is indicated on the tree cutting application form. Permits are valid one year from the date of issue.
Permits
ARE REQUIRED for:
- Cutting down of any trees on all properties in Abbotsford, with the exception of ALR lands (Agricultural Land Reserve)
- Topping a tree
Permits will NOT BE issued for:
- Cutting down a tree under covenant
- Cutting down a registered significant tree
- Cutting down a tree in a tree retention area
If the tree is registered under covenant or is a "significant tree" as defined in the bylaw, or the tree is located in a tree retention area, on a slope of 30% or more, near a watercourse, or is host to wildlife that is subject to the Migratory Birds Convention Act, Species at Risk (Canada), the Wildlife Act, or any other federal, provincial, or local government enactments pertaining to the removal of trees, the City will NOT issue a cutting permit.
Permits are NOT Required for:
- Removing a dead or hazardous tree. In the case of an emergency tree removal, the City may require that you leave the removed tree on the ground to provide an arborist report or photo for verification prior to cleanup.
- Pruning or trimming a tree. Pruning must be in accordance with the ISA standard arboricultural practices.
- Cutting down tress on ALR lands (Agricultural Land Reserve)
Additionally under the bylaw, the City requires that replacement trees be planted for every tree that is cut down. Schedule A of the Tree Protection Bylaw states:
Any tree requiring approval for removal subject to tree replacement as follows:
- Trees less than 20cm in diameter no replacements required
- 20-30 cm in diameter 2:1 replacements required
- Trees greater than 30cm in diameter 3:1 replacements required
Residents have one year from the date of issue of the permit to plant the replacement trees.
Tree Protection Bylaw 1831-2009Tree Removal Application