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CITY OFVANCOUVER

Trees and Development

Development Site Review

Development Site Graphic and Checklist

General Info: All property development, whether it is renovation or new building, requires you to try to retain all the existing trees located on your property. All permits require a property plan which indicates all the trees on the site, and identifies those to be removed and those to be retained. You may be required to relocate or replace trees that are to be removed for the construction.

You also need to provide protection during construction for all of the property, property line and boulevard trees which will be retained, and the barrier must be inspected and approved by the District Building Inspector prior to beginning demolition or construction.

Submission requirements to obtain permits for new construction vary from zone to zone and depend on the nature and scope of the work. Applicants should inquire with the Landscape Review staff (604.871.6378) who can assist in determining the requirements from the outset. Checklists of submission requirements are also available from the Development Inquiry and Application Centre (D.I.A.C.) counter 604.873.7613.

Note: The new Protection of Trees By-law [pdf] now requires you to post your tree permit in a location visible from an adjacent street during the removal, relocation, or replacement of a tree.

Retention of Trees

Development applicants must try to retain trees outside the proposed building envelope during development. Retained trees add to the quality of the development, and help improve the environment not only with their beauty, but also by acting as a carbon sink and air filter, reducing water runoff, acting as a windbreak, and providing a habitat for wildlife such as birds and squirrels.

Identifying trees to be retained should be completed in the early stages of the development planning. For any development, a surveyor must be hired to outline the existing building envelopes and location of trees in and adjacent to the site, including city boulevard trees and trees on adjoining properties. All trees to be retained must be protected with barriers.

Prior to receiving a demolition or building permit, trees to be retained (including all street trees and trees on adjacent property) are required to pass the tree and root protection inspection carried out by the District Building Inspector (DBI). Call the DBI for your tree barrier inspection at 604.873.7601.

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Relocation of Trees

In cases where tree retention is not practical or desirable, transplanting trees should be considered as an alternative. It is important to consider the special conditions required to relocate trees. Size and species of tree, time of year, preparation and post-transplanting care are critical to ensure a higher survival rate.

Generally, a 10 cm diameter tree can be moved without special equipment. A tree spade can be used to move trees up to 30 cm in diameter. For more information consult the Landscape Review staff at 604.871.6378. Click here to see a list of trees which the City Arborists suggest for location under utility lines.

Replacement Trees

Trees located within building envelopes will have to be removed. If an applicant wishes to retain a significant tree that is within the building envelope, please contact the Landscape Review staff to discuss relaxation possibilities for the building permit.

Trees located too close to a building envelope may also have to be removed. Generally, trees removed must be replaced. Refer to the Protection of Trees By-law [pdf] for replacement tree requirements for determining the total minimum number of trees (based on site size and number of existing trees on site), species selection, minimum acceptable size of replacement trees, and siting restrictions.

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Questions or Comments? E-mail: csg.enquiry.centre@vancouver.ca