Tree Bylaw

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The District of Central Saanich is updating the Tree Protection Bylaw.

The impacts of climate change are increasingly apparent and the role of tree preservation is a recognized climate mitigation measure. While trees are key to carbon sequestration, they can also play a significant role in storm water management, reducing the urban heat island effect, providing habitat and enhancing biodiversity, and their inherent aesthetic and cultural value reflect the importance of a healthy urban forest.

Council identified a Tree Protection Review in the 2019 Strategic Plan. Staff initiated a review of the current Tree Bylaw and, with the help of a consultant, drafted a new Tree Management Bylaw. In October, Council endorsed the next step of the project, community engagement. In this phase, the District is asking for input on the draft bylaw.

The District of Central Saanich is updating the Tree Protection Bylaw.

The impacts of climate change are increasingly apparent and the role of tree preservation is a recognized climate mitigation measure. While trees are key to carbon sequestration, they can also play a significant role in storm water management, reducing the urban heat island effect, providing habitat and enhancing biodiversity, and their inherent aesthetic and cultural value reflect the importance of a healthy urban forest.

Council identified a Tree Protection Review in the 2019 Strategic Plan. Staff initiated a review of the current Tree Bylaw and, with the help of a consultant, drafted a new Tree Management Bylaw. In October, Council endorsed the next step of the project, community engagement. In this phase, the District is asking for input on the draft bylaw.

  • Thanks for your feedback!

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    Thank you to everyone who's shared feedback!

    Staff are in the process of gathering information received as part of the public engagement phase of the Tree Bylaw update. Once the results have been compiled, staff would be looking at making amendments to the draft tree bylaw as currently proposed. After this, a report would be prepared for Council and the (amended) bylaw would be presented to Council for their consideration.

  • Information Session presentation

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    To gather public input on the draft tree bylaw before presenting a final draft of the bylaw to Council, we held two virtual open house sessions for the public in January.

    It’s not too late to share your feedback

    You can view the presentation here. You’re also welcome to read the proposed bylaw.

    Tell us what you think before February 15 by taking the Tree Bylaw Survey or emailing or phoning Ivo van der Kamp at 236-638-3520, Ivo.VanderKamp@csaanich.ca


  • Draft Proposed Tree Species Replacement

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    To accompany the proposed update to the tree bylaw, a tree species reference guide has been developed to guide replacement tree decisions. For a replacement species to be acceptable to the District, its selection must be appropriate for the location context in terms of the site considerations and suitable locations defined in the table. Several attributes are provided to inform selection of a suitable species in different location contexts. In terms of future climate suitability, warmer and drier summers will favour species tolerant of dry to very dry sites.

  • Register for a Virtual Info Session

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    Learn more about the draft tree bylaw and ask questions of staff, as well as provide feedback, at a virtual open house:

    Thursday, January 28 from 10 am to 11 am. Registration is required: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMsdOmoqTspHNN2dTePrg40HmBfK3_2C4XZ

    Saturday, January 30 from 10 am to 11 am. Registration is required: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcsfumgpjgiGtc-f6ZvNT7v5J_OfKoUwm4V

  • Compare the proposed and current bylaw

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    Proposed Draft

    Tree Management Bylaw

    Current

    Tree Protection Bylaw

    Introduction of Tree Density Target to determine number of replacement trees

    Replacement ratio of 3:1 required through rezoning

    Replacement ratio of 3:1 applies to all tree removal, up to the tree density target

    Specimen(s) of same species with aggregate truck diameter at breast height equal to aggregate trunk diameter of tree that was removed and in same location.

    Tree removal within building envelope requires replacement trees

    Tree removal within building envelope is exempt from tree permit

    Trees with a diameter of 20cm or more are protected

    Trees with a diameter of 60cm or more are protected

    Incentive for tree retention through credit toward target density

    No incentive for tree retention.

    Cash in lieu option available if trees cannot be planted on site

    No cash in lieu option

    Security for replacement trees held for one year

    Security for replacement trees held for three years

    Fees for all tree permit applications, except those for hazardous tree removal

    Most applications do not require a fee

    Tree removal in Erosion District requires one permit application

    Tree removal in Erosion District requires two permits, from Planning and Engineering

    Removal of municipal trees due to development requires replacement trees and contribution to Tree Planting Reserve Fund

    Inconsistent application of requirement for replacement trees as a result of municipal tree removal due to development

    Tree removal on ALR land requires statement that removal is for agricultural purposes

    Tree removal on ALR land is exempt from any permit.

    Protective fencing is required to be in place prior to tree permit issuance

    Protective fencing is required to be in place prior to any works on site

  • About the Tree Protection Bylaw Review

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    Council identified a Tree Protection Review in the 2019 Strategic Plan. Staff initiated a review of the current Tree Bylaw and, with the help of a consultant, drafted a new Tree Management Bylaw.

    We want your input!

    Highlights of the new bylaw include:

    • Introducing a Tree Density Target of 50 trees per hectare
    • Trees 20 cm or more in diameter are protected
    • Removals of any protected tree must be replaced with three trees, up to the target density, to get the canopy to grow back quicker
    • New application fees to recover District costs. There would be no cost to remove hazardous trees, a $75 base fee plus $25 per tree to a maximum of $200, and a fee of $75 to amend a permit.
    • Landscape deposit required for replacement trees until trees established
    • Cash in lieu option for when trees cannot be planted on the same property to fund planting on municipal property
    • Tree retention incentivized with credit for retention of trees
    • Tree removal on lands within the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) remains exempt from the requirement for a permit, however, a written statement from the owner declaring that the trees are to be removed for an agricultural use is required.

    View the bylaw.

    Questions or comments?

    Comments can be emailed to planning@csaanich.ca.

    With questions, please contact Ivo van der Kamp at 236-638-3520.