Definitions
Arborist
An Arborist is an individual trained in the study of trees and certified by the International Society of Arboriculture.
Boulevard Trees
Boulevard Trees are the City owned and maintained trees which border the streets, lanes, and boulevards of the city. They are not to be pruned without the express permission of the Park Board. Boulevard trees are to be protected during any development on a property.
Building Envelope, existing
The existing building envelope is the “footprint” which any existing buildings has on the property. It usually extends 1 metre from actual building walls or overhangs. When applying for a permit to remove a tree, the building envelope must be shown on the application sketch. (Click here for an example)
Building Envelope, proposed
The proposed building envelope is the “footprint” that any proposed development (whether it is new construction or renovation of existing buildings) will encompass after completion. Trees which are within the proposed building envelope require a tree permit to remove.
Carbon Sink
A carbon sink is an area which stores and traps carbon dioxide. Trees and tree groves are excellent carbon sinks in that they absorb the carbon dioxide from the air and replenish the air with oxygen. Cutting, burning, or killing a tree releases the carbon dioxide into the air which affects the environment in many ways, including damaging the ozone layer. The more trees there are, the better the air remains.
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D.B.H.
“D.B.H.” refers to how high off the ground you should measure the diameter of a tree trunk. 1.4 metres (4'6") from the ground is the accepted height.
D.B.I.
The District Building Inspector (D.B.I.) is a City of Vancouver employee who inspects all development sites to ensure compliance with building codes and by-laws as well as replacement trees on development sites. The DBI can be reached at 604.873.7601.
Development Services Enquiry Centre
The Development Services Enquiry Centre at City Hall can answer your questions about development requirements, applications for new construction, and zoning information. Contact them at 604.873.7613. This centre does not inspect your sites for tree permits. Contact the Landscape Review staff at 604.873.6379 for tree permits.
Development
Development means a change in the use of land and building or the carrying out of any construction, engineering or other operations in, or, over or under land or land covered by water, or an existing building or group of buildings.
Drip Line
This refers to a circle drawn on the ground around a tree directly under the tips of the outermost branches of the canopy of the tree.
Property Line Trees
While your construction and development may be limited to your own
property, the construction may still have an impact on adjacent properties. All trees within 2 metres of your property lines must be illustrated
on all site plans and be properly dimensioned.
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Property Plan
A property plan, or SITE PLAN, for the tree by-law shows a top-down view of a site including all existing buildings, all proposed building(s), all hard surfaces (such as brick walkways, walls, cement drives, patios, stone walls, retaining walls, etc.), utility lines above and below the ground, tree grades for all trees (except those less than 20 cm D.B.H.), the drip line of all trees (except those less than 20 cm D.B.H.), and the location, dimensions, common name, botanical names, and minimum replacement size of all trees to be retained, removed, relocated or replaced. (Click here for an
example.)
Retained Tree
A retained tree is an existing tree that will not be removed, relocated,
or damaged during any construction or development of a site.
Relocated Tree
A relocated tree is an existing tree on a site that is moved to another
location on the same site to accommodate development or to be moved
outside an existing or proposed building envelope.
Replacement Tree
A replacement tree is a tree which is planted on a property after
the removal of an existing tree on the same site. A replacement
tree is generally required on a one-to-one basis with any removed tree.
Street Trees
A street tree is another name for a BOULEVARD TREE.
Tree Permit
A tree permit issued by the Director of Planning is required prior to the removal of any trees covered under the By-law. Generally, any tree (except trees with a D.B.H. of less than 20 cm) requires a tree permit for removal.
Tree Plan
A tree plan is a SITE PLAN which identifies all trees on a property
and is part of an approved development permit or building permit or
application for a development permit.
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