Checked October 14, 2026

Abbotsford tree permits:2026 rules, shared trees and replacement

Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada

Abbotsford’s new tree-management by-law took effect March 1,2026. The city page covers trees outside the Agricultural Land Reserve with diameter greater than 20 cm, or in a tree-retention area.

Key information

Abbotsford’s new tree-management by-law took effect March 1,2026. The city page covers trees outside the Agricultural Land Reserve with diameter greater than 20 cm, or in a tree-retention area. Confirm the permit category before pruning, damaging or removing protected trees.

On this page

Plan your next step

Abbotsford tree permits:2026 rules, shared trees and replacement practical reference
Task or feature	What to know
Before work	Check tree size, retention status and property boundary
Application	$59 plus any report requirement
Replacement	Canopy target and security conditions

Sources: Tree Permit | City of Abbotsford

Which trees and work are covered

The general diameter is measured 1.4 m above ground. The by-law also protects trees in defined retention areas and replacement trees regardless of size. Work can damage roots, trunks, limbs or foliage without felling the tree.

Significant-tree pruning, replacement planting and acts that damage protected trees can require a permit. Trees straddling a property line are shared; owner authorization is required before approval, and the other owner does not have to agree to removal.

Sources: Tree Permit | City of Abbotsford

Application, reports and security

Submit the online application and the non-refundable $59 application fee. An arborist report may be required depending on the tree count and type of application. Replacement work needs a replanting plan. Contact 604-859-3134 if the report requirement is unclear.

The city’s replacement approach targets 40% canopy cover per lot. If the lot remains at that target after removal, replanting may not be needed; otherwise enough trees must be planted. Replacement security is $500 per tree, or $750 on a development property.

Sources: Tree Permit | City of Abbotsford

Replacement ratios and canopy conditions

Replacement-tree ratios published by the city; use the property calculator and approved replanting plan
Removed tree diameter	Listed replacement ratio
Greater than 60 cm	4 replacement trees
30-60 cm	3 replacement trees
20-30 cm	2 replacement trees
10-20 cm	1 replacement tree
Below 10 cm or verified hazardous	No replacements in the ratio table, subject to protected-area and permit conditions

The city’s replacement table is part of its 40% canopy-target approach, not an automatic permit approval. Retained trees and their mature canopy affect the replanting calculation. Replacement trees remain protected regardless of their small size.

Sources: Abbotsford Tree Permit

Hazards and trees that normally remain

A hazardous tree is assessed as high or extreme risk by an ISA Qualified Tree Risk Assessor. An application fee is still required; a city arborist can verify the hazard and grant a permit exemption. Do not assume a tree is hazardous solely because it is inconvenient.

Retention-area trees, significant trees and trees hosting protected wildlife normally cannot be removed unless the specified hazard process applies. The city asks for photographs, a site plan, trunk measurement and an arborist risk report where urgent hazard work has occurred, with relevant parts left for assessment.

Sources: Tree Permit | City of Abbotsford