As I posted about in early December, Langley City Council is considering adopting a new tree protection bylaw. You can read more about this proposed bylaw in that earlier post. The tree protection bylaw focuses on protecting trees on city-owned or managed property, during redevelopment, in environmentally sensitive areas, and significant trees on all property throughout the City.
One of the questions raised was the cost for a homeowner if they need to apply for a tree permit to remove a tree or pay for an arborist report if required. City staff confirmed at Monday’s Council meeting that there will be no cost to a homeowner to apply for a tree permit and that the City will use its in-house arborist (if required for a report) at no additional cost to the homeowner. Of course, the homeowner would be responsible for the actual costs of cutting/removing a tree. For a redevelopment application, there would be a cost for the tree permit, and the applicant would have to pay for the arborist report.
Staff explained the fine structure for people who violate the tree protection bylaw. If someone removes a protected tree without a permit, the fine starts at $3,000 per tree. The fine could be much higher if City staff determines it is not sufficient for the violation. For example, if someone removes a healthy older tree, the City would go to court to recover the full value of the tree. There are well understood calcutation to understand the full economic and ecological value of a tree.
Council gave third reading to the new tree protection bylaw on Monday. It is expected that Council will consider adopting the tree protection bylaw at its next meeting.
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