Cutting down a tree without a permit won’t be tolerated for much longer in the Village by the Sea.

An ordinance containing stiff penalties for unpermitted tree removal passed its second and final reading this week during a Langley City Council meeting.

Violators of the city’s new tree code will face hefty fines. For example, the unpermitted removal of a tree with a diameter at breast height larger than 30 inches comes with a $20,000 fine if on private property, and a $30,000 fine if located on city property, in right-of-way, in critical area or buffer, or protected through easement. “Diameter at breast height” means the diameter of a tree trunk measured at 4.5 feet above ground.

Director of Community Planning Meredith Penny told the council this week that residents have been notified of the new ordinance through mail via their utility bills. Tree service providers have also been kept in the loop.

Council members expressed concerns about reaching people who pay their bills online. Penny said the information can be posted to the city’s website and sent out to her email list.

The ordinance officially goes into effect Feb. 1.