Looking up through the canopy of mature conifers

Reports and permits

Someone told you to get an arborist report

I can tell you what they're actually asking for. I spent 12 years as an arborist for the City of Coquitlam. I've seen these applications from the city's side.

Ask me about a report Or call me: 604-315-3512

ISA Certified Arborist PN-7893AT · Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ) · 17 years in trees

Start here

What is the report for?

People get told to "get an arborist report" without being told what it needs to answer.

Tell me two things and I can point you the right way:

Who asked for it: your city, your strata, your insurer, a neighbour
What you're trying to do: remove a tree, respond to a concern, build something, settle an argument

Send me any form or email you were given. I'll work out the tree part on site.

The report

What's actually in a report

An arborist report is a written record of what I found, why it matters, and what I'd do about it. What goes in depends on why you need it. Usually the tree's species and size, its condition, any problems I could see, photos, my reasoning, and what I recommend.

It also says what I looked at, what I didn't, and why.

Diagram showing what goes into an arborist report: site visit, findings, reasoning and recommendation, submitted with your application — A report supports your application. The city makes the decision.

Five municipalities

The rules are different in every town

Here's the short version for each. Always check the official page for your address. The rules change, and your property may have conditions on it that the general rule doesn't cover.

Coquitlam

Most private properties can remove up to two protected trees per year without a permit. A protected tree is 20 cm or more across, measured 1.4 m up.

You need a permit for all removals if your property has a riparian or streamside area, a steep slope area, or a protective covenant. Same if you're on Burian Drive or Latimer Avenue. In those cases you also need a tree risk assessment report from an ISA Certified Arborist.

Coquitlam also requires that whoever does the tree work holds a valid business licence in Coquitlam or another Tri-Cities municipality. Mine covers all of them.

Reviewed August 13, 2026

City of Coquitlam tree cutting permits Tree work in Coquitlam

Port Moody

Port Moody adopted a new Tree Protection Bylaw in March 2026, so anything you read from before then may be out of date.

A permit is needed for trees 30 cm or more across. It drops to 10 cm for trees in an Environmentally Sensitive Area or Riparian Management Zone. The same 10 cm rule covers protected native species: arbutus, cascara, Pacific dogwood, Pacific yew, shore pine and western white pine.

There are separate application types. The hazardous tree permit needs a report from an ISA Certified, TRAQ qualified arborist. It has to confirm a high or extreme risk rating, and that removal is the only workable option. A dead tree permit is for trees with more than 50% of their branches dead. That one usually doesn't need an arborist report at all.

Pruning done to proper standards doesn't need a permit.

Reviewed August 13, 2026

City of Port Moody tree management permits Tree work in Port Moody

Port Coquitlam

A permit is needed for any tree 5 m or taller, or more than 15 cm across at 1.4 m. Dead and hazardous trees still need a permit, though the fee is waived.

Some species count as "significant" at 10 cm, and any tree over 45 cm is significant too. Significant trees generally can't be removed at all. The exceptions are a hazard, or an approved development.

You don't need a permit to prune out dead or dying branches.

Reviewed August 13, 2026

City of Port Coquitlam tree removal and protection Tree work in Port Coquitlam

Anmore

Anmore is the strictest of the group. Every tree removal needs a permit, even one that falls within the yearly allowance. The Village has to be told.

Dead and dangerous trees can only be removed if a certified arborist says so in writing and the Village approves it. Fines are $1,000 per tree.

Reviewed August 13, 2026

Village of Anmore building guide Tree work in Anmore and Belcarra

Belcarra

Belcarra has a Tree Cutting Bylaw and requires a permit for tree removal. It's an older bylaw, and the Village says the copies online may be missing recent changes. Call the Village office to check what applies to your property before you plan anything.

Reviewed August 13, 2026

Village of Belcarra bylaws Tree work in Anmore and Belcarra

Nesting season

The bird nesting window can delay your permit

Port Coquitlam won't issue tree permits between March 15 and August 31. Port Moody has a similar window, March 1 to August 31. The only way around it is a nesting survey from a Qualified Environmental Professional.

I'm not a QEP, so I can't do that survey. Knowing about the window early can save you a delay on a removal.

If a removal isn't urgent, plan it for autumn or winter.

Why me

Why me for this one

Some of these towns require an ISA Certified Arborist for the report. Port Moody wants TRAQ on top of that. I hold both.

I also carry $2 million liability insurance, WorkSafeBC coverage and an intermunicipal business licence, which some applications ask you to prove.

My credentials

FAQ

Questions

Is a report included in the free estimate?

No. A free estimate covers what tree work would cost. An assessment or written report is separate, and I'll quote it before I start.

Can you approve my permit?

No, and neither can any arborist. I assess the tree and write up what I found. The city decides.

How long does it take?

That depends on the city. Port Moody says two to four weeks for a decision once your application is complete. Build in more time than you think you need.

Do you write reports for stratas?

Yes. Both Port Moody and Coquitlam need a letter of authorization confirming who can act for the strata, so sort that out early.

What if the tree is an emergency?

Port Coquitlam lets you cut an immediate hazard before applying, provided you photograph it first, leave the wood on site, and apply the next business day. Port Moody has a similar documented emergency route. Call me at 604-315-3512 and call BC Hydro if lines are involved.

My tree is dead. Do I still need a permit?

In most of these municipalities, yes. Dead is not the same as exempt. Some cities waive the fee, and Port Moody has a dead tree permit that usually doesn't need an arborist report.

Next step

Send me what you were asked for

Forward me the form or the email. I'll tell you what it needs and arrange a site visit.

Ask me about a report