Tree Protection Pilot Program

The Delta Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw currently allows for the removal of a tree without a permit if a qualified professional (i.e., a certified arborist) determines that the tree is dead, dying, or is in imminent danger of falling and causing injury to people or structures. This would continue under the pilot program. If a tree is causing unavoidable damage to a home, driveway, or other infrastructure over time, it can be removed with a permit. In these cases, standard fees and replacement requirements would apply. Removal is not permitted for minor nuisances such as shade or the dropping of needles or cones. The City does not provide compensation for damage caused by trees on private property, as property owners remain responsible for managing trees on their land. This approach would remain the same under the Neighbourhood Tree Protection Pilot Program. 

Under the provincial Community Charter, the City’s power to protect trees on private property is limited if any development that is otherwise allowed is affected. Provincial legislation also requires municipalities to allow for more small-scale, multi-unit housing (e.g. 4-plex housing on all lots in residential neighbourhoods), however the City works with developers to protect trees through reasonable design changes.

The City’s Urban Forest Strategy, published in 2020, includes a goal to increase the urban canopy to 40% coverage by 2050, particularly in neighbourhoods currently exhibiting low canopy cover. The tree replacement requirements in our tree bylaw are intended to move us towards this goal. As well, about 1,000 trees are planted by staff each year throughout the City using cash-in-lieu collected from tree removals on private property.

Yes. The City tracks tree removal permits issued each year. Since 2015, there has been an average of approximately 884 tree removals per year, though the number varies from year to year. The highest number of removals occurred in 2021 (1,181 permits), while the lowest was in 2022 (427 permits). More recently, 890 tree removal permits were issued in 2024 and 897 in 2025, which is generally consistent with the long-term average. 

Since 2015, the City has planted an average of approximately 1,064 trees per year, though the number planted varies annually. Detailed breakdowns by tree type are not readily available at this time for every year. However, in 2025, of the 908 trees planted, approximately 200 were coniferous and 414 were deciduous, with the remaining plantings made up of other tree types or plantings where species categorization was not recorded (e.g. Reforestation or riparian area plantings of mixed native species).

Council directed staff to explore a neighbourhood-specific pilot program in the Sunshine Hills area in response to concerns raised by residents about the loss of mature trees should the pilot proceed, other neighbourhoods across Delta may have the opportunity to opt in. 

Mature trees provide environmental, neighbourhood, and community benefits, and the purpose of this work is to understand whether additional, neighbourhood-specific approaches could help retain these benefits while respecting existing property rights and development regulations. 

Tree removal permits, whether related to development or not, are reviewed and processed in accordance with existing City bylaws. Delta’s Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw No. 7969 allows property owners to apply to remove multiple trees on their property, subject to the requirements and conditions set out in the bylaw. 

Arborist reports are reviewed at multiple stages of the process, including during the building permit application and when tree removal permits are issued. Reviews are carried out by plans examiners, the Urban Forestry team, and permit staff. The City works with a range of qualified professionals and verifies that arborists meet required professional accreditation standards. When there are reports that need further verification, staff conduct site visits to confirm information is accurate. 

The pilot is being explored through a phased engagement process, and no implementation date has been set. The City is currently in Phase One, which focuses on gauging interest from property owners and gathering feedback on what a pilot could include. The results will be summarized and presented to Council for consideration. If Council directs staff to proceed, property owners would be asked to review a draft pilot program for final confirmation before implementation.