1. Confirm the protected-tree trigger
30.5 cm, 61 cm Use the exact municipal measurement method and protected-tree definition.
Municipal tree source checked
Reviewed Sep. 13, 2026Private/public scope checked against the municipal source
Tree removal rules in Burnaby, BC
A plain-English guide to what Burnaby publishes about tree removal and protection. The first question is whether the rule covers your private tree at all—not every City tree bylaw is a private-yard permit bylaw.
CITY-SPECIFIC SUMMARY
What Burnaby actually regulates
Burnaby’s published tree and bylaw rules, in plain English:
Protected-tree sizes
On non-development properties, Burnaby protects conifers 30 cm+ and deciduous trees 45 cm+. On development properties, trees 20 cm+ are protected.
Replacement
Replacement requirements scale with the size of the removed tree: 1, 2 or 3 replacement trees across the published size bands.
Permit reasons
The City publishes examples of reasons that can support removal—such as poor health, structural unsoundness, serious property damage or development conflict—and examples that normally do not, such as shade or leaf drop.
Development sites
Tree protection and replacement are integrated into development review; a separate tree permit may be generated through that process.
Regional context
Burnaby uses its own tree-protection rules within British Columbia. See the BC tree-rule overview; this page keeps the local diameter, ownership, development and replacement details separate.
LOCAL QUICK READ
Burnaby at a glance
These are the main signals in the Burnaby municipal source: who the rule covers, whether a permit path is identified, any published diameter signal, and extra requirements that can change the answer.
Rule scopePrivate-tree rules are identified in the municipal source
Permit signalA permit or authorization process is identified
Diameter numbers found30.5 cm, 61 cm
Extra requirements namedReplacement planting, Development / protected-area rules
LOCAL DECISION PATH
What to verify before removing a tree in Burnaby
Burnaby publishes private-tree controls, so the first job is to identify whether this specific tree is protected before booking removal.
2. Separate private, public and boundary trees
The Burnaby source identifies private-tree rules; boulevard, City-owned and shared-boundary trees can follow a different process.
3. Plan for replacement conditions
For Burnaby, replacement planting, security or cash-in-lieu may be part of approval where the local rule says so. Read the actual permit conditions before scheduling removal.
General guidance lives separately
For general tree-law concepts, use these guides:
Public vs. private trees · Construction near trees · Tree-removal permits · Replacement trees ·CONSTRUCTION NEAR TREES
Construction and tree protection in Burnaby
Burnaby’s local material identifies development, construction or tree-protection-zone issues. Before excavation, grading, a driveway, utility trench, retaining wall, pool or building work near a tree, check whether the municipal rule treats root/soil disturbance as regulated injury.
Private tree
Local source detailBurnaby regulates removal of protected trees on private property and directs owners to determine whether a tree-cutting permit is required before removal.
Open Burnaby’s rule ↗City / boulevard tree
Do not self-authorizeIf the trunk is on Burnaby municipal land, a boulevard or road allowance, do not self-authorize pruning or removal. Confirm ownership and use the municipality’s tree process.
Check ownership rules ↗Boundary tree
Ownership mattersIf the trunk sits on or very near a property line in Burnaby, confirm ownership before work. Municipal tree rules do not replace private-law rights involving a co-owned or neighbouring tree.
Check local application rules ↗Development site
Local source detailFor development projects, retained/proposed trees and protection areas need to be integrated into the site plan and tree-permit processing can be tied into the development application.
Check development-tree rules ↗SOURCE TRACE
What we verified for Burnaby
Private-tree regulation is identified in the Burnaby source. Primary source checked September 13, 2026. This page keeps that local rule separate from general arborist advice and does not import another city’s threshold.
Open primary Burnaby source ↗How Tree Rules Canada fact-checks pages →OFFICIAL LINKS
Go straight to Burnaby
Use Burnaby’s current municipal source before booking removal or construction near a tree. That source controls the current threshold, exceptions, forms, fees and any replacement conditions.
Burnaby tree sources checked September 13, 2026. Re-check the linked municipality for current fees, protected-tree definitions and permit steps; Tree Rules Canada is independent.