Tree Protection Pilot Program

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The City is launching an engagement program to gather feedback from property owners within the Sunshine Hills area regarding a potential neighbourhood-specific tree protection pilot program. Staff have reviewed available municipal tools and are now seeking feedback from property owners that will:

  • gauge interest in a neighbourhood-specific pilot;

  • understand awareness of existing tree protection rules;

  • gather input on potential options to strengthen tree protection, and;

  • identify key issues and opportunities to consider as the pilot is developed.

As this potential pilot program explores changes to bylaws and other measures that apply to private property, feedback is being collected from property owners from neighbourhoods in the Sunshine Hills area who could be directly impacted.

Sunshine Hills Area Neighbourhoods

Tree characteristics across the Sunshine Hills area are similar. For this reason, all property owners in the neighbourhoods identified below have been invited to complete the online survey. This map reflects the City’s current understanding of the Sunshine Hills area and was developed as part of the North Delta Area Plan Review in 2011.

Online Survey

Property owners in the Sunshine Hills area were mailed a postcard with a unique, address-specific survey code to access the online survey. The survey is anonymous and closes February 15. Each code can only be used once. Once the survey is opened, respondents can save their progress and return later to complete it using their unique code.

Difficulty using the QR Code? Access the survey and enter your unique code by clicking here. For further questions or assistance in filling out the survey, email treeprotection@delta.ca.

More Information

Property owners can review the fact sheet to learn more about the potential Neighbourhood Tree Protection Pilot Program or attend an upcoming Online Information Session. While registration is required, participants will remain anonymous during the session. Questions can be submitted in advance during registration or through the moderated chat during the session.

  • When: February 4 (6:00 – 7:00pm)

  • Where: Online (Link to be emailed after registration)

  • Register for the session by clicking here

Other Ways to Have Your Say

Members of the public who are not property owners in Sunshine Hills area are invited to review the fact sheet and provide comments through the Comment Box below. Anyone with questions about the project can also submit them using the Ask a Question tool below.

The City is launching an engagement program to gather feedback from property owners within the Sunshine Hills area regarding a potential neighbourhood-specific tree protection pilot program. Staff have reviewed available municipal tools and are now seeking feedback from property owners that will:

  • gauge interest in a neighbourhood-specific pilot;

  • understand awareness of existing tree protection rules;

  • gather input on potential options to strengthen tree protection, and;

  • identify key issues and opportunities to consider as the pilot is developed.

As this potential pilot program explores changes to bylaws and other measures that apply to private property, feedback is being collected from property owners from neighbourhoods in the Sunshine Hills area who could be directly impacted.

Sunshine Hills Area Neighbourhoods

Tree characteristics across the Sunshine Hills area are similar. For this reason, all property owners in the neighbourhoods identified below have been invited to complete the online survey. This map reflects the City’s current understanding of the Sunshine Hills area and was developed as part of the North Delta Area Plan Review in 2011.

Online Survey

Property owners in the Sunshine Hills area were mailed a postcard with a unique, address-specific survey code to access the online survey. The survey is anonymous and closes February 15. Each code can only be used once. Once the survey is opened, respondents can save their progress and return later to complete it using their unique code.

Difficulty using the QR Code? Access the survey and enter your unique code by clicking here. For further questions or assistance in filling out the survey, email treeprotection@delta.ca.

More Information

Property owners can review the fact sheet to learn more about the potential Neighbourhood Tree Protection Pilot Program or attend an upcoming Online Information Session. While registration is required, participants will remain anonymous during the session. Questions can be submitted in advance during registration or through the moderated chat during the session.

  • When: February 4 (6:00 – 7:00pm)

  • Where: Online (Link to be emailed after registration)

  • Register for the session by clicking here

Other Ways to Have Your Say

Members of the public who are not property owners in Sunshine Hills area are invited to review the fact sheet and provide comments through the Comment Box below. Anyone with questions about the project can also submit them using the Ask a Question tool below.

Ask a Question

Please review the questions listed below before submitting a new one. If your question is not already addressed, you may submit it using the form below. Questions submitted between January 19 and February 15 will be reviewed and responded to within three business days.

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  • Share Why is the City exploring a Tree Protection Pilot Program for Sunshine Hills area? on Facebook Share Why is the City exploring a Tree Protection Pilot Program for Sunshine Hills area? on Twitter Share Why is the City exploring a Tree Protection Pilot Program for Sunshine Hills area? on Linkedin Email Why is the City exploring a Tree Protection Pilot Program for Sunshine Hills area? link

    Why is the City exploring a Tree Protection Pilot Program for Sunshine Hills area?

    3 days ago

    The City is exploring a pilot program in Sunshine Hills in response to community concerns about tree loss and the neighbourhood’s well-established tree canopy. Council directed staff to work with the community to explore potential options that could strengthen tree protection in Sunshine Hills.  

  • Share How could this program impact residents? on Facebook Share How could this program impact residents? on Twitter Share How could this program impact residents? on Linkedin Email How could this program impact residents? link

    How could this program impact residents?

    3 days ago

    The potential program could have impacts for current and future property owners, which is why the City is seeking feedback. For example, these impacts could include higher removal fees or replacement requirements for certain trees, or the need to consider reasonable design changes during development or redevelopment to support tree retention. The survey allows property owners to share which tools and approaches they feel are reasonable to consider. While several options are presented for discussion, not all would necessarily be included in a pilot program, and feedback will help determine which options are explored further. 

  • Share How will the decision be made on whether or not to proceed with the pilot project? on Facebook Share How will the decision be made on whether or not to proceed with the pilot project? on Twitter Share How will the decision be made on whether or not to proceed with the pilot project? on Linkedin Email How will the decision be made on whether or not to proceed with the pilot project? link

    How will the decision be made on whether or not to proceed with the pilot project?

    3 days ago

    The City is using a two-phase engagement process to inform the decision to proceed with the program. Phase One focuses on gathering feedback from property owners through the online survey to understand both support and concerns. The options included in the survey are a starting point for discussion, and property owners are encouraged to suggest other ideas or approaches. Following Phase One, staff will report the findings to Council and seek direction on whether to proceed. 

    If Council directs staff to move forward, Phase Two will involve returning to property owners with a draft approach informed by the feedback received to confirm whether it is on the right track before implementation. 

  • Share Why is feedback limited to property owners? on Facebook Share Why is feedback limited to property owners? on Twitter Share Why is feedback limited to property owners? on Linkedin Email Why is feedback limited to property owners? link

    Why is feedback limited to property owners?

    3 days ago

    The potential pilot program would focus on bylaw changes and measures that apply to private property. Property owners would be directly responsible for any associated requirements or fees, which is why feedback is being requested from them.

  • Share How did the City determine the possible options for residents to consider? on Facebook Share How did the City determine the possible options for residents to consider? on Twitter Share How did the City determine the possible options for residents to consider? on Linkedin Email How did the City determine the possible options for residents to consider? link

    How did the City determine the possible options for residents to consider?

    3 days ago

    The options were informed by existing tree protection tools and what is within the City’s authority on private property. A scalable approach that builds on the existing Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw was identified, allowing the City to implement the pilot in Sunshine Hills, learn from it, and consider additional tools or options to retain mature trees over time. The options presented are a starting point for discussion, and residents are encouraged to suggest other ideas or approaches they feel should be considered. 

  • Share Are there limits to what the City can do to protect trees? on Facebook Share Are there limits to what the City can do to protect trees? on Twitter Share Are there limits to what the City can do to protect trees? on Linkedin Email Are there limits to what the City can do to protect trees? link

    Are there limits to what the City can do to protect trees?

    3 days ago

    Provincial legislation such as the Community Charter limits how municipalities can regulate tree removal if it would prevent development that is otherwise permitted. The City must work within these constraints. 

  • Share Has the City advocated to the Province for stronger tools to protect trees? on Facebook Share Has the City advocated to the Province for stronger tools to protect trees? on Twitter Share Has the City advocated to the Province for stronger tools to protect trees? on Linkedin Email Has the City advocated to the Province for stronger tools to protect trees? link

    Has the City advocated to the Province for stronger tools to protect trees?

    3 days ago

    Yes. The City sent a letter to the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs requesting amendments to the Community Charter to better support the protection of mature trees in established neighbourhoods. On December 30, the City received a response advising that municipalities can work within existing legislative tools to support tree protection. The City will continue to advocate to the Province for additional tools to better protect mature trees. 

  • Share Is using the Provincial Heritage Register an option? on Facebook Share Is using the Provincial Heritage Register an option? on Twitter Share Is using the Provincial Heritage Register an option? on Linkedin Email Is using the Provincial Heritage Register an option? link

    Is using the Provincial Heritage Register an option?

    3 days ago

    The Provincial Heritage Register is generally used to recognize trees with heritage value under provincial definitions, most often those associated with heritage properties, and no such trees have been identified in Sunshine Hills. A proposed Significant Tree definition under the Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw offers a more local approach by allowing the City to identify notable trees in the neighbourhood and apply enhanced protection measures—such as higher fees, increased replacement requirements, and other safeguards—without relying on provincial heritage criteria. 

  • Share I’m a property owner, how can I share my feedback? on Facebook Share I’m a property owner, how can I share my feedback? on Twitter Share I’m a property owner, how can I share my feedback? on Linkedin Email I’m a property owner, how can I share my feedback? link

    I’m a property owner, how can I share my feedback?

    3 days ago

    Property owners were mailed a postcard with a unique, address-specific survey code. You can access the survey by scanning the QR code on the postcard and entering your code when prompted. Each code can only be used once, so we recommend completing the survey when you are ready. 

    If you are unable to use the QR code, you can visit the project landing page to access the survey link directly. The survey is open until February 15. 

  • Share Why does the survey code only work once? on Facebook Share Why does the survey code only work once? on Twitter Share Why does the survey code only work once? on Linkedin Email Why does the survey code only work once? link

    Why does the survey code only work once?

    3 days ago

    Each code is linked to a specific property and can only be used for one submission. This helps ensure accurate results and one response per property. 

Page last updated: 21 Jan 2026, 09:55 AM