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Tree Protection Bylaw No. 1069, 2022 - Instream Application Status
Governing BylawNo. 1069Active
Tree Protection Bylaw No. 1069, 2022Adopted 2022This bylaw protects trees in View Royal by regulating their alteration, cutting, damage, or removal. It applies to property owners, developers, and anyone undertaking work that could affect trees. The bylaw establishes a permit system for tree removal or alteration, especially for 'protected trees,' which include specific species like Garry Oak and Arbutus, trees with nests, trees on Town property, replacement trees, and trees above a certain size. Key rules include needing a permit before cutting or altering protected trees, protecting tree roots during construction, and planting replacement trees if a protected tree is removed. The Town's Director of Engineering has the authority to grant or deny permits and can impose conditions. The bylaw also addresses hazardous trees, steep slopes, and watercourses, with specific restrictions in these areas. Violations can result in fines.
First seen: May 11, 2021
Last seen: June 17, 2025
Lifecycle Timeline
June 17, 2025Council
Full RecordingS. Nanni, View Royal Avenue, questioned whether the tree replacement requirement, as established in Tree Protection Bylaw No. 1069, 2022, will be reviewed.
A resident questioned if Council plans to review the existing Tree Protection Bylaw regarding replacement requirements for dead trees.
"The discussion centered on the equity of the Tree Protection Bylaw's replacement requirements, specifically questioning the punitive nature of forcing residents to replace naturally deceased trees. A speaker suggested stratifying the policy to distinguish between purposeful removal and natural occurrence, arguing that property owners would be more willing to plant saplings provided by the town than face the high cost (estimated at $300-$400) of purchasing minimum-height replacement trees."
March 1, 2022Council
Full RecordingTree Protection Bylaw No. 1069, 2022 - Instream Application Status
"Staff explained that applications received prior to the bylaw adoption (Feb 15, 2022) would be exempt from new provisions to ensure fairness. Councillors confirmed that OCP and rezoning amendments do not qualify for this exemption."
Formal MotionPassed
"THAT the report dated February 23, 2022 from the Engineering Technologist titled “Tree Protection Bylaw No. 1069, 2022 – Instream Application Status” be received for information."
Moved by: John Rogers
Seconded by: Damian Kowalewich
Gery Lemon
Damian Kowalewich
John Rogers
February 15, 2022Council
Full RecordingTree Protection Bylaw No. 1069, 2022
Formal MotionPassed
"THAT Tree Protection Bylaw No. 1069, 2022 be adopted."
Moved by: John Rogers
Seconded by: Ron Mattson
Formal MotionPassed
"THAT Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 643, 2007, Amendment Bylaw No. 1084, 2022 be adopted."
Moved by: John Rogers
Seconded by: Ron Mattson
Formal MotionPassed
"THAT the Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 958, 2016, Amendment Bylaw No. 1085, 2022 be adopted."
Moved by: John Rogers
Seconded by: Ron Mattson
February 1, 2022Council
Full RecordingTree Protection Bylaw No. 1069, 2022
"Councillor Rogers raised the issue of controlling invasive ivy on residential trees to prevent future damage. Director Rosenberg indicated that staff are investigating options but cited capacity concerns for tracking and enforcement. Council proceeded with first, second, and third readings of the main bylaw and associated amendments."
Formal MotionPassed
"THAT the report dated January 25, 2022 from the Director of Engineering and Engineering Clerk titled “Tree Protection Bylaw No. 1069, 2022” be received."
Moved by: John Rogers
Seconded by: Damian Kowalewich
David Screech
Damian Kowalewich
Gery Lemon
Ron Mattson
John Rogers
Formal MotionPassed
"THAT Tree Protection Bylaw No. 1069, 2022 be given first, second, and third reading."
Moved by: John Rogers
Seconded by: Damian Kowalewich
David Screech
Damian Kowalewich
Gery Lemon
Ron Mattson
John Rogers
Formal MotionPassed
"THAT Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 643, 2007, Amendment Bylaw No. 1084, 2022 be given first, second, and third reading."
Moved by: John Rogers
Seconded by: Gery Lemon
David Screech
Damian Kowalewich
Gery Lemon
Ron Mattson
John Rogers
Formal MotionPassed
"THAT Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 958, 2016, Amendment Bylaw No. 1085, 2022 be given first, second, and third reading."
Moved by: John Rogers
Seconded by: Damian Kowalewich
David Screech
Damian Kowalewich
Gery Lemon
Ron Mattson
John Rogers
January 11, 2022Council
Full RecordingProposed Tree Protection Bylaw No. 1069, 2022
"Director Rosenberg reviewed key amendments, including the removal of the automatic exemption for trees within the building envelope (requiring 2-for-1 replacement regardless of location), increasing riparian setbacks from 15m to 30m, and clarifying high-level penalties (up to $50,000 for malicious removal). A member of the public, L. Jeaurond, advocated for a mandatory water bag system for replacement trees, funded by a slight increase in the permit fee, to ensure survival during drought conditions. Council largely supported the modernized bylaw."
Staff TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE REPORT - PROPOSED TREE PROTECTION BYLAW NO. 1069, 2022BylawTOWN OF VIEW ROYAL BYLAW NO. 1069 - A BYLAW TO REGULATE THE ALTERING, CUTTING, DAMAGING OR REMOVING OF TREESBylawTOWN OF VIEW ROYAL BYLAW NO. 695 - A BYLAW TO REGULATE THE PROTECTION OF TREES (Consolidated)BylawBYLAW NO. 643, 2007 - SCHEDULE 5: TREE PROTECTION BYLAW MUNICIPAL TICKET INFORMATIONBylawEngineering Fees and Charges Schedule UpdatePresenPresentation: Proposed Tree Protection Bylaw No. 1069, 2021
Formal MotionPassed
"THAT the report dated January 3, 2022 from the Director of Engineering and Engineering Clerk titled "Proposed Tree Protection Bylaw No. 1069, 2022" be received for information."
Moved by: David Screech
Seconded by: Damian Kowalewich
David Screech
Damian Kowalewich
Gery Lemon
Ron Mattson
John Rogers
May 11, 2021Council
Full RecordingProposed Tree Protection Bylaw No. 1069, 2021
Council reviewed proposed changes to the Tree Protection Bylaw, supporting measures to increase protection, streamline permitting for minor pruning, and increase the cash-in-lieu fee for removed trees.
"There was broad support for most staff recommendations, particularly closing the building envelope exemption loophole for developers and increasing the cash-in-lieu amount to better fund replacement trees. Council opted to keep trees damaging driveways/sidewalks as a case-by-case decision rather than allowing automatic removal."
Formal MotionPassed
"THAT the report dated April 30, 2021 from the Director of Engineering titled "Proposed Tree Protection Bylaw No. 1069, 2021" be received for information."
Moved by: Gery Lemon
Seconded by: Ron Mattson
David Screech
Damian Kowalewich
Ron Mattson
John Rogers
Gery Lemon