Langley Tree Bylaw and Arborist Requirements for Custom Homes

If you are planning a custom home in Langley, tree rules will shape your site plan, schedule, and budget. In the Township of Langley, the Tree Protection Bylaw 2019 No. 5478 governs most private‑lot removals and sets when an arborist report is needed. If your project is tied to a development application (rezoning, development permit, or subdivision), a separate rule set applies under the Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw’s Schedule I – Tree Protection. Inside the City of Langley, a new Tree Management Bylaw is in development in 2025, so requirements are evolving; check status before you design.

If you’re looking for a custom home builder in Langley, you’ll be happy to know that at Versa Homes, we coordinate your arborist, permits, and fencing so you design once and build once.

Township vs City: Whose Rules Apply at Your Address?

First, confirm whether your property is in the Township or the City. Most acreage and suburban lots are in the Township and follow Tree Protection Bylaw 5478. Projects with a development application are managed under Schedule I – Tree Protection (different definitions, submissions, and replacement requirements). Inside the City of Langley, Council is progressing a tree bylaw; requirements may change during 2025. Check jurisdiction and bylaw status before you lock a site plan.

What You’ll Likely Need (Quick Reference)

Situation	What you need	Who signs off
Township private lot, not under a development application	Tree Removal/Cutting Permit to remove any protected tree (dbh ≥ 20 cm measured 1.4 m above grade). Some cases require an arborist report.	Township Permits, Licences & Inspections.
Township project with a development application (rezoning/DP/subdivision)	Tree Survey, Tree Evaluation Report, Tree Management/Protection Plan, and replacement trees as per Schedule I.	Township Green Infrastructure Services.
City of Langley (inside city limits)	Bylaw in progress. Expect permit and plan requirements; confirm the latest before design and removal.	City of Langley (Planning/Engineering).

Do You Need a Township Tree Permit?

On private lots in the Township, a protected tree is any tree with dbh 20 cm or more; dbh is measured 1.4 m above grade. The bylaw requires a permit to remove a protected tree, except in specific exempt cases. Approvals are typically granted for dead, dying, diseased trees, imminent failure, unresolvable conflicts with buildings or utilities, or trees inappropriate for size/species/location. If you propose to remove five or more trees, or claim “inappropriate size/species/location,” the Township may require an arborist report from an ISA‑certified arborist. Properties inside the ALR and sites already under a development application are handled under different rules.

Arborist Reports and Credentials

For permit‑area removals that trigger a report, expect a short technical package: tree inventory and photos, condition ratings, and mitigation or protection notes for trees to be retained. The Township of Langley recognizes ISA‑certified arborists and may request TRAQ (Tree Risk Assessment Qualification) where risk is cited. For development applications, the arborist or landscape architect prepares a Tree Survey, Tree Evaluation Report, and a Tree Management/Protection Plan with monitoring during construction.

Tip: For custom homes, engage the arborist before you finalize the driveway and services. It often saves a redesign later.

Protecting Trees During Construction

Before clearing, install tree protection barriers around retained trees. Barriers must be at least 1.2 m high and set at the Critical Root Zone (CRZ). In Township bylaws, CRZ radius = dbh × 6. Keep excavation, fill, storage, and washout outside the CRZ. If a neighbour’s tree’s CRZ extends onto your site, you must fence to the property line and protect that root zone as well. The Township can issue stop‑work for non‑compliance.

Removal, Replacement, and Cash‑in‑lieu

On development applications, Schedule I requires 30 replacement trees per developable acre, with 3 credits for each significant tree retained. At least 50% of replacements must be native conifers. For private‑lot permits, the Township now uses cash‑in‑lieu provisions for some situations; exact amounts are set in the Fees and Charges Bylaw. We confirm which path applies early and we take this cost into account when providing you with a fixed price custom home build.

Permit and Build Sequence That Avoids Delays

The smart order is simple. Confirm your jurisdiction. Map keep‑worthy trees and CRZs. Book a pre‑application check with the Township or City. Engage an ISA/TRAQ arborist. Submit the tree permit package (or the Schedule I bundle if you have a development application). Install barriers, pass pre‑inspection, then proceed to Building Permit and construction with monitoring as required. That said, if you’re building with Versa Homes, we handle the orchestration so you don’t have to.

Budget and Schedule Impacts to Expect

Plan for arborist reporting and monitoring where required, permit fees, fencing and signage, and either replacement trees or cash‑in‑lieu. The nesting‑bird window (generally March to August) can limit clearing; your arborist can advise if a survey is needed. Clustering the house, driveway, and services usually cuts removals and civil costs.

Common Mistakes and How We Prevent Them

Homeowners often assume City and Township rules are the same; they are not. Others lay out the driveway before mapping CRZs, then redesign late. Some remove trees on a development site using the wrong bylaw, or skip the pre‑construction fencing inspection. We sequence your approvals, fence early, and keep your site compliant from first stake to landscaping.

How We Make Tree Compliance Feel Routine

If you’re planning to building in the Langley area, start with our Langley custom home builder page to map your path.

With Versa Homes, you get certainty and momentum. We use a fixed‑price contract, a locked schedule with pre‑booked trades, and a client portal with 24/7 access, daily logs, and progress photos. We back your date with a Move‑In Date Commitment and your home with Versa Shield 3‑6‑11 coverage. Quiet, steady progress. No drama.

FAQs

External Sources Cited

• Township of Langley — Tree Protection Bylaw 2019 No. 5478 (consolidated)
• Township of Langley — Tree Removal / Cutting Application Guide (June 2025)
• Township of Langley — Development Tree Protection Brochure (Schedule I overview)
• Township of Langley — Recommended Replacement Tree Species (native conifers list)
• City of Langley — Tree Management Bylaw engagement page (2025)
• City of Langley — Tree Bylaw Open House notice (June 2025)