Frank Luba
Province
Cutting down a tree in Vancouver without a permit could result in a fine of as much as $10,000 if a new bylaw being considered by city council is passed.
The bylaw is on the schedule for Thursday morning’s city services and budget committee to get more public input.
While the city has had a tree bylaw with permits and fines since 1994, recent changes to the city charter allow for the stiffer penalty. In addition to requiring the permit for trees with a diameter in excess of 20 centimetres, it also calls for a replacement tree to be planted.
The new bylaw makes it easier for inspectors to access private property, requires the tree permit to be posted during the tree’s removal and raises the fee by $2 to $59 and $168 for each additional tree in the same 12-month period.
Coun. Andrea Reimer backs the heftier fine.
“Trees are a very heated and emotional issue in Vancouver,” said Reimer. “The increase in the fine simply provides, hopefully, a much greater deterrent to people ignoring the bylaw.” There are tree bylaws all around the Lower Mainland with varying penalties.
A permit requirement in the District of North Vancouver, for example, extends to trees that are 75 cm in diameter. The fine for cutting without that permit is $250, but the district has the option of taking offenders to court for a penalty as high as $10,000.
Surrey‘s focus is on trees with a diameter in excess of 30 cm and it also requires permits — $59 for the first tree and $22 for each subsequent tree.
Fines in Surrey range from $1,000 to $2,000 and $10,000 for a significant tree registered with the city. [email protected]
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