Saanich Tree Protection Bylaw Updates

Project Overview

The District of Saanich is updating the Tree Protection Bylaw. Updating the Bylaw will help the Parks Division align tree management across Saanich, towards achieving 44% canopy cover by 2064.

To support these updates, the District is hosting engagement activities to invite residents to share their ideas and feedback about the proposed Tree Protection Bylaw revisions.

Saanich is also conducting engagement internally across Departments and with Industry (Development Community, Local Arboriculture Consultants, Local Landscape Architects).

The project aims to:

Align the Bylaw with Saanich’s Urban Forest Strategy and Official Community Plan
Simplify and clarify Bylaw administration
Sustain the urban forest and retain high-value trees
Address gaps not covered by current regulations

Latest Project Updates

We are currently drafting recommended directions on the Bylaw updates based on the feedback received during the engagement.

Online questionnaire ran from November 19 - December 15, 2025.
Online Open House with Q&A happened on November 26, 2025. If you missed it, watch the recording below!

Where are we now?

October to December 2025 saw the Background Research and Engagement phases. We are currently drafting recommended directions based on the information gathered during the previous phases, and plan to present to Council in Q2 of 2026.