Port Moody's New Tree Protection Bylaw: What Changed and What Homeowners Should Know

Port Moody has updated its Tree Protection Bylaw, and the change matters for homeowners, strata properties, builders, developers, and anyone thinking about removing a tree.

The biggest practical change is this:

More private-property trees now require a permit before they can be removed.

Under the old rules, Port Moody's tree bylaw mostly applied to specific situations, such as environmentally sensitive areas, riparian areas, development sites, protected covenants, significant trees, and city-owned trees. Under the new 2026 bylaw, many larger trees on ordinary private residential lots are now protected too.

This article explains what changed, what the new rules mean in plain language, and how different tree removal scenarios may be handled.

This is a general homeowner guide, not legal advice or a permit decision. Always confirm your exact situation with the City of Port Moody before removing a protected tree. You can also review our Tri-Cities tree bylaw guide for a side-by-side of the local rules.

The Short Version

Port Moody's new Tree Protection Bylaw was adopted in March 2026. It replaces and expands the previous bylaw, which was first adopted in 1999 and last updated in 2015.

The key changes are:

• Trees 30 cm DBH or larger are now protected on all private properties.
• Some smaller trees, 10 cm DBH or larger, are also protected in specific situations.
• Dead and hazardous trees generally still require a permit.
• Replacement tree rules are now more flexible in some homeowner situations.
• Development sites face stricter protection and replacement requirements.
• Harmful activities such as topping, excessive pruning, and disturbing protected tree roots are prohibited.
• Homeowner and strata permit fees are lower than builder/developer fees.

DBH means "diameter at breast height." In Port Moody, this is measured at about 1.4 metres above the base of the tree.

Old Bylaw vs New Bylaw

What Counts as a Protected Tree Now?

For most homeowners, the most important threshold is:

30 cm DBH or larger on any private lot.

That means if you have a cedar, fir, maple, spruce, hemlock, cherry, birch, or other tree that measures 30 cm or more across the trunk at about chest height, you should assume it may require a Tree Management Permit before removal.

A permit may also be required for smaller trees if the tree is:

• 10 cm DBH or larger and located in an Environmentally Sensitive Area
• 10 cm DBH or larger and located in a Riparian Management Zone
• 10 cm DBH or larger and one of the protected native species listed by the City
• 10 cm DBH or larger on a property with a development application
• A replacement tree from a previous permit
• A retained tree from a previous permit
• Protected by covenant

The protected native species listed by the City include arbutus, cascara, pacific dogwood, pacific yew, shore pine, and western white pine.

How to Measure DBH

DBH stands for diameter at breast height.

To estimate DBH:

1. Measure around the trunk at about 1.4 metres above the ground.
2. That gives you the circumference.
3. Divide the circumference by 3.14.
4. The result is the approximate diameter.

For example, if the trunk is about 94 cm around, the DBH is about 30 cm.

That means the tree is likely in the new protected size range.

Scenario 1: A Homeowner Wants to Remove a Large Cedar in the Yard

A homeowner has a western red cedar in the backyard. It is not dead, not obviously hazardous, and the property is not under development. The tree measures 42 cm DBH.

Under the old bylaw, if the property was not in an ESA, RMZ, covenant area, or development process, the tree may not have triggered the same permit requirement.

Under the new bylaw, this tree is 30 cm DBH or larger on private property. A Tree Management Permit is likely required before removal.

The homeowner should expect to provide a site plan, tree information, photos, and a replacement tree plan. Depending on the tree condition and reason for removal, an arborist report may be required.

Scenario 2: A Small Tree in a Normal Yard

A homeowner has a 16 cm DBH ornamental tree in a typical residential yard. It is not a protected native species, not a replacement tree, not in a riparian area, not in an ESA, and the property is not under development.

In this case, a Tree Management Permit may not be required under the 30 cm rule.

However, homeowners should still be careful. Property-specific restrictions matter. A tree can be protected because of a covenant, previous permit, strata rule, development condition, or environmental area that is not obvious from the street.

If there is any doubt, check with the City before cutting.

Scenario 3: A Dead Tree

A homeowner has a dead tree in the backyard. The tree is 38 cm DBH.

A common assumption is that dead trees can simply be removed. Under Port Moody's new rules, that is not a safe assumption.

Dead trees generally still require a permit if they meet the protected tree criteria. The difference is that the application may be simpler than a regular removal. Clear photos are often useful, and an arborist report may not always be required, although the City can still ask for one.

This is a good scenario for documenting everything before work begins. Take photos of the entire tree, the crown, the trunk, the base, and any obvious signs of death or decay.

Scenario 4: A Hazardous Tree After a Storm

A windstorm damages a large hemlock. It is cracked, leaning toward a structure, and appears to pose an immediate risk.

Port Moody's rules recognize documented emergencies, such as imminent tree failure. However, this does not mean homeowners should ignore the permit process entirely.

For emergency tree removal, the City says evidence is required and a permit must be applied for the next business day. For hazardous tree removal, the City generally requires an arborist report and tree risk assessment.

If a tree is an immediate danger, safety comes first. But take photos, document the condition, keep records, and contact the City as soon as possible. For active hazards, our emergency tree service in Port Moody can respond quickly.

Scenario 5: A Tree Near a Creek, Ravine, or Sensitive Area

A homeowner has a 15 cm DBH tree near a creek or ravine.

Even though this tree is smaller than 30 cm DBH, it may still require a permit if it is in an Environmentally Sensitive Area or Riparian Management Zone.

This is one of the biggest traps for homeowners. The size threshold is not the only issue. Location matters.

If the property is near water, a ravine, a greenbelt, steep terrain, or mapped environmental features, check the City's mapping and permit requirements before doing any removal.

Scenario 6: A Protected Native Species

A homeowner has a pacific yew or pacific dogwood that is only 12 cm DBH.

Because the new bylaw identifies certain protected native species at the 10 cm DBH threshold, this tree may require a permit even though it is much smaller than 30 cm.

For homeowners, the practical point is simple: tree species matters.

Most people can identify a cedar or maple, but fewer people can confidently identify cascara, pacific yew, shore pine, western white pine, or pacific dogwood. If the tree is small but could be one of the protected native species, get it identified before removal.

Scenario 7: A Builder or Homeowner Planning Construction

A homeowner is planning demolition, renovation, new construction, subdivision, rezoning, or another development-related application.

On development sites, the threshold is much stricter. A Tree Management Permit is required for removing trees 10 cm DBH or larger on properties undergoing development.

This means trees that would not trigger the 30 cm homeowner threshold may still be protected once development is involved.

For builders and homeowners planning construction, tree retention needs to be considered early. Waiting until the design is finished can create expensive problems. Trees may need to be retained where feasible, protected during construction, and replaced according to the City's requirements if removed.

Scenario 8: Pruning Instead of Removing

A homeowner wants to prune a tree for roof clearance, light, deadwood, driveway clearance, or general maintenance.

Port Moody says a Tree Management Permit is not required for pruning your own tree if the pruning follows best arboricultural practices.

That does not mean every cut is allowed.

The updated bylaw specifically highlights harmful activities, including topping, excessive pruning, and disturbing roots of a protected tree. Poor pruning can damage a tree, create long-term hazards, and potentially create bylaw issues.

If a tree is worth keeping, it is worth pruning correctly.

Replacement Trees: What Changed?

Under the previous bylaw, the general rule was two replacement trees for every protected tree removed.

The new bylaw is more nuanced.

For homeowners and strata properties, replacement requirements may be affected by the existing canopy cover on the property. The City has indicated that fewer replacement trees may be required if a private property already has 35 to 45 percent tree canopy, and replacement may be waived if the canopy is above 45 percent.

For development sites, replacement requirements are tied to the size of the removed tree and the type of replacement species. Small replacement species may require more replacement trees than medium or large species.

The practical point is that replacement is no longer just a simple "two for one" rule in every case.

Fees and Deposits

For homeowners, strata managers, and other multi-residential properties, the City's homeowner guide lists:

The important footnote is that permits are still generally required for hazardous or dead trees.

For builders and developers, the fees and securities are higher. The City's builder/developer guide lists a $720 permit fee, $740 replacement tree security per tree, and retained tree securities that may apply during construction.

Bird Nesting Season Still Matters

Tree removal between March and August may require a nesting bird survey prepared by a Qualified Environmental Professional.

This does not mean no tree work can happen during those months. It does mean that removal has to be approached carefully.

If the work is non-urgent, planning outside the main nesting season can simplify the process. If the tree is hazardous, document the hazard and follow the City's process.

What Homeowners Should Do Before Removing a Tree

Before removing a tree in Port Moody, ask these questions:

1. Is the tree 30 cm DBH or larger?
2. Is it 10 cm DBH or larger and in an ESA or RMZ?
3. Is it one of the protected native species?
4. Is it a replacement tree, retained tree, or covenant-protected tree?
5. Is the property part of a strata?
6. Is the property under development, demolition, rezoning, subdivision, or building permit review?
7. Is the tree dead, hazardous, or storm damaged?
8. Is the removal planned between March and August?
9. Will replacement planting be required?
10. Do you have photos and documentation before work begins?

If the answer to any of these is yes or maybe, check before cutting.

Why This Matters for Tree Work

The new Port Moody bylaw changes the first step in many tree removal jobs.

Before, many homeowners could focus mainly on the practical side of removal: access, rigging, cleanup, stump grinding, and cost.

Now, many homeowners also need to confirm whether the tree is protected before arranging removal.

For a tree company, that means the job should start with questions:

• What city is the property in?
• What is the approximate DBH?
• Is the tree dead, hazardous, or healthy?
• Is it near a creek, ravine, slope, or ESA?
• Is it part of a development project?
• Is there a previous permit, covenant, strata rule, or replacement requirement?
• Are birds nesting in or near the tree?

The saw should not be the first tool used. The first tool is information.

Need Help Understanding a Tree on Your Property?

Root Down Tree Company can help Port Moody homeowners assess tree removal, pruning, hazardous trees, storm damage, dead trees, and tight-access removals.

We can help you understand the practical tree work side of the situation, including tree size, access, visible defects, risk concerns, removal difficulty, cleanup, stump options, and whether the job looks like it may require City review before work begins.

If you are unsure whether a tree can be removed, start with photos.

Send clear photos of:

• The full tree
• The trunk
• The base
• The canopy
• Any dead, broken, leaning, cracked, or decayed areas
• Nearby buildings, fences, wires, slopes, or neighbouring property
• A rough trunk measurement at 1.4 metres above ground

From there, we can help you decide the next step.

Root Down Tree Company serves Port Moody, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Anmore, Belcarra, Burnaby, and surrounding areas.