The City of White Rock I Tree Management

Tree Trimming / Removal
As per the Street and Traffic By-Law No. 1529 no person shall trim, prune or cut down any tree or shrub on City property, pathway, roadway or laneway.

How to apply for a Tree Cutting Permit

Do I Need a Permit?
Refer to the City of White Rock Tree Management Bylaw No. 1567, as amended. By Bylaw only applies to certain lands in the City. The maps attached to the Bylaw will indicate whether or not your property is affected. The Bylaw applies to all trees over 3.65m (12') in height, or with a trunk diameter of 20cm (8") or greater, measured 1.5 (5') above grade.

Tree Cutting Permits will be issued for the following reasons:

If tree removal is necessary in order to accommodate new construction or modification by expansion or addition to an existing building or structure, only if the dripline of the tree (the outer edge of the canopy) is within 2 m of where the proposed building or structure or access to it cannot reasonably be modified to accommodate it; or
If the tree is deemed to be a hazard, or is dead, dying or diseased.

Removed trees are required to be replaced by trees and/or bushes/shrubs and perennial ground cover.

What Information is Required?
If you are proposing to remove one or more trees in order to accommodate new construction, or an addition or modification to an existing building or structure, you will need to submit a site survey or site plan, together with your building permit application plans, which contains the following information:

The location, size and species of all trees within the vicinity of the proposed construction. The extent of the dripline of the tree should also be indicated. All trees which are over 3.65m (12') in height or 20 cm (8") in diameter (measured at 1.5m above grade) should be identified on the plan;
Tree grades (existing tree base elevations) for those trees that are affected by the proposed development, and spot elevations in the vicinity of the proposed development;
Identification of which trees are to be removed, replaced, or retained;
Location, size and species of replacement trees or other planting material;
Location of protective fencing to protect retained trees during construction activity (see Tree Protection Guidelines).

If you are proposing to remove one or more trees for reasons
other than new construction, the following is required:

• A plan or survey, drawn to scale, identifying the location, size and species of tree or trees to be removed, the location, size and species of replacement planting. The plan should also indicate the extent of dripline of trees, and the location of nearby buildings or structures.
• All applicants are required to indicate on the application form the reasons for the proposed tree removal.

Additional Requirements
In ravine lands, a geotechnical report addressing slope stability may be required. This will be confirmed by City staff.

If the tree is to be removed because it is a hazard, dead, dying or diseased, an arborist's report on the condition of the tree may be required.

If the tree to be removed is near an open watercourse, Provincial and/or Federal regulations may apply. This can be confirmed with City staff.

Inspections
City staff may inspect the site to verify the conditions of the tree or the site, or to ensure compliance with the tree protection Bylaw and/or the Tree Cutting Permit.

How much does it Cost?
There is no charge for a tree cutting permit application. The costs of all survey work, arborist's reports, and any other required information will be borne by the applicant.