What are the tree removal bylaws and regulations in Saint John New Brunswick?

Saint John has tree protection bylaws that regulate the removal of trees on both public and private property, with specific requirements depending on the tree's location, size, species, and the property's zoning designation. Before removing any significant tree on your Saint John property, check with the city's urban forestry department or development services to determine whether your specific situation requires a permit, a replacement planting, or falls under heritage tree protection.

On private residential property in Saint John, the regulations focus primarily on development-related tree removal. If you're removing trees as part of a building project, renovation, or site development, the city's development standards typically require a tree preservation plan and may mandate replacement plantings. For routine property maintenance — removing a dead, diseased, or hazardous tree — homeowners generally have the right to remove trees on their own property without a permit, but it's advisable to confirm this with the city for your specific zone, especially in heritage conservation districts where additional design and landscape standards may apply.

Several situations trigger stricter requirements in Saint John. Trees within the city's designated heritage conservation areas (parts of Uptown and the South End) may be subject to heritage committee review before removal. Trees in environmentally sensitive areas, watercourse buffers, or wetland setbacks fall under provincial environmental protection regulations administered by the New Brunswick Department of Environment and Local Government. The provincial Watercourse and Wetland Alteration Regulation typically requires a 30-metre buffer zone around watercourses where tree removal is restricted without a provincial WAWA (Watercourse and Wetland Alteration) permit.

Street trees and trees on city property are fully protected. Residents cannot remove, prune, or damage street trees — these are managed by the city's parks and public works departments. If a city-owned street tree is causing issues (roots damaging a driveway, branches overhanging your property), contact the city to request an assessment. The city may prune or remove the tree at its expense if warranted, but unauthorized pruning or removal of street trees can result in fines.

When hiring a tree removal company in Saint John, verify several key qualifications. The company should carry a minimum $2 million general liability insurance policy and workers' compensation coverage through WorkSafeNB — request certificates before work begins. ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) certified arborists are preferred for complex removals near structures and power lines. For trees near NB Power lines, the utility company must be contacted and may need to disconnect or shield lines before removal can proceed. Tree removal in Saint John typically costs $500-$3,000+ depending on size and complexity.

Regarding replacement planting, Saint John encourages maintaining tree canopy coverage across the city. While not always mandatory for single-tree removals on private property, replacing removed trees with native species suited to New Brunswick's Zone 5a-5b climate — such as Red Maple, White Spruce, Red Oak, or Eastern White Cedar — is good practice and may be required in some zoning situations. The city's urban forestry program can recommend appropriate replacement species for your specific property conditions.

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• Urban Landscaping Ltd
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