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The Tree
Bylaw regulates the cutting of trees in two primary
classifications depending on whether the subject property
is Rural or Urban. Properties within the Urban Containment
Boundary are considered Urban.
Is it Rural Property?
If Rural - the property owner is allowed to remove 3 trees
each calendar year for each full acre of property.
The bylaw does allow tree removals on Agricultural Land
Reserve land for legitimate agricultural purposes by affidavit.
A tree on rural land is defined as any species either taller
than 5 m (16.4 ft) or having a Diameter at Breast Height
(DBH) larger than 10 cm (3.9 in).
- the tree damaging activities clause 9(a) does not apply
to rural properties but we encourage protection technique
- other considerations on rural property: is the tree
on a floodplain, is the tree within 30 m (98.5 ft) of
a watercourse (even if it is ephemeral) on a property
in DP Area #24,Tod Creek/Prospect Lake.
Is it Urban Property?
Are there protected trees. This includes
Garry Oak, Arbutus, Pacific Dogwood and Pacific Yew greater
than 10 cm or Douglas Fir and Western Cedar greater than
60 cm DBH (24 inches) or any other trees over 80 cm DBH
(31.5 in)?
The bylaws prohibit the removal or damage or pruning of
Garry Oak, Arbutus, Pacific Dogwood and Pacific Yew over
5 m (16.3 ft) in height or 10 cm (3.9 in) or more in diameter,
Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar over 60 cm (24 in) in
diameter, any other trees over 80 cm (31.5 ft) in diameter
and Saanich significant trees.
How to measure
The diameter of a tree is measured 1.4 m (4.5 ft) above
the ground. It can be determined by dividing the circumference
by 3.142. The Protected Root Zone (PRZ) is the radius
distance of 18 x diameter from the trunk.
The Tree
Bylaw prohibits the removal of protected trees from
urban land with potential for residential development.
If a property can be subdivided into two or more lots without
rezoning, it is Urban Land. Tree bylaw protected trees
are protected wherever they are located on Urban Land.
Is this land designated as a Development Permit
Area?
Prohibits the removal of any tree growing on any land designated
as a Development Permit Area. This includes DP Area
#25 South Wilkinson Valley. Two replacement trees
are required for each tree removed within DP Area #25.
Are there any trees currently marked on the
plan as "to be retained"?
Prohibits the removal of any tree shown as "to be retained"
on a plan attached to a development permit.
Is there a watercourse on the property?
Are there any trees within 15 m of the natural boundary
of the watercourse?
Prohibits the removal of any tree, rural or urban, growing
within 15 m (49 ft) of the natural boundary of a stream
as shown on Schedule B to the Watercourse and Drainage Bylaw
#7501 or on a floodplain.
Are there any designated Saanich Significant
Trees on the property?
Prohibits the removal of trees designated Saanich Significant
trees located anywhere on the property or boulevard.
Is there a steep slope on the property?
Are there any trees on the steep slope that will be removed?
If you wish to remove more than two trees per year or remove
stumps and roots from the ground, the Corporation of the
District of Saanich requires a report prepared by a qualified
Geotechnical Engineer. The report, which is to be
prepared at the applicant's expense, must state that the
proposed tree removals or removal of the stump(s) and roots
will not create a danger from flooding, erosion, landslip
or avalanche.
Exemption
The bylaw protects trees of the previously described species
and size when they are located outside of an Urban Lot's
building envelope when the lot is less than 1,500 sq m (16,146
sq ft) in area. This means that all Tree
Bylaw "protected trees" within the building
envelope are not protected on these small lots and may be
removed.
If the Urban Lot is larger than 1,500 sq m (16,146 sq ft)
in area and the trees are in the building envelope the trees
are not protected if the purpose of their removal is to
construct a building or addition to a building.
Please note: The Parks Department will not
process an application for removal of trees in this category
until there is a Building Permit application.
Requirements for Tree Permit Applications
for Construction/Development
Rural Saanich...
The following is required for all tree applications on
rural land and will not be processed by Parks until a Building
Permit application has been made.
Please include the following as part of the application:
- A site plan showing the proposed house, driveway, septic
field and utility corridor locations. Trees do not
need to be shown
- Parks will arrange to meet the property owner/applicant
on-site to determine how many trees will need to be removed
and identify those trees the owner has pre-tagged
- A fee may apply for this permit
Urban Saanich...
The following is required for all tree applications on
urban land:
- A site plan is required that shows all trees protected
by either the Tree Bylaw or covenant
- All boulevard trees must also be shown
- The location of each tree must be accurately plotted
showing the trunk diameter and Protected Root Zone (PRZ)
- If there are more than four (4) trees, a separate sheet
for the inventory shall be provided. Inventories
of four (4) trees or less may be listed on the plan
- The inventory shall assign each protected tree a reference
number that is to be shown ont he plan and the inventory
- The trunk diameter (accurate to 1 cm) and Protected
Root Zone (PRZ) (accurate to .5 m) must also be shown
For more information please contact:
Saanich Parks
Phone: 475-5522
Fax: 475-5525
email: parks@saanich.ca
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