How to Get an Arborist Report in Kelowna: Requirements & Costs

When planning a subdivision, home renovation, lot development, or felling a tree in a protected hillside area, you will likely see a municipal requirement for a professional Arborist Report.

Municipalities in the Okanagan, including the City of Kelowna and the City of West Kelowna, require these formal reports to ensure that healthy, mature trees are preserved during development and that hazardous trees are documented objectively before removal.

This guide outlines when an arborist report is legally required, what details must be included in the report, and the average costs in Kelowna in 2026.

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1. When is an Arborist Report Required?

You will typically need to submit an Arborist Report in Kelowna under the following circumstances:

• Development & Building Applications: If you are applying for a development permit, subdivision, or building permit on a lot that contains mature trees, the city requires a report detailing which trees will be saved and how they will be protected during construction.
• Steep Slope or Riparian Zone Removals: If you want to fell a tree on a hillside with a slope greater than 30% or within 30 meters of a watercourse, you must submit a report proving the tree is a structural hazard.
• Neighbor Disputes: If a shared boundary tree or a neighbor's tree poses a structural hazard to your home, a certified arborist report provides the legal documentation needed to resolve the dispute or submit to insurance.
• Tree Protection Bylaw Permits: For any tree removal requiring a municipal permit, the city will use the report to determine if removal is justified or if alternative pruning can resolve the issue.

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2. What is Included in a Professional Arborist Report?

An arborist report is a formal legal document and can only be written by an ISA-Certified Arborist who holds the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ). The report must contain:

1. Tree Inventory: A map and table listing every tree on the property, including its species, height, and canopy spread.
2. DBH Measurement: The Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) measured at 1.4 meters above the ground.
3. Health Assessment: An evaluation of the tree's health, including signs of decay, pest infestations (like Pine Beetle), fungal growth, or root rot.
4. Structural Integrity Rating: A formal hazard assessment evaluating the risk of the tree felling onto a target (such as a house, driveway, or power line).
5. Tree Protection Plan (TPZ): For development sites, the report must outline Tree Protection Zones, including specifications for root-protection fencing to prevent heavy machinery from compacting the soil.
6. Mitigation Recommendations: Clear professional advice on whether the tree should be pruned, cabled, removed, or monitored.

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3. How Much Does an Arborist Report Cost in Kelowna?

Arborist reports are priced based on the number of trees and the complexity of the site:

• Single Residential Tree (Hazard Assessment): Typically costs $300 to $650. This is standard for a homeowner who needs to submit a report to the city to remove a single large pine or fir tree.
• Small Development Lot (2 to 5 Trees): Typically costs $600 to $1,200. Includes tree tagging, mapping, and a construction protection plan.
• Subdivisions & Acreages (10+ Trees): Prices range from $1,500 to $3,500+ depending on the land size and tree density.

If you need a certified report to secure a municipal building or cutting permit, our ISA-certified, TRAQ-qualified arborists can perform the site inspection, tag your trees, and draft a compliant report for city hall. Book an arborist consultation with us today.