Tree permits

You’re not allowed to injure, remove or prune a public tree without a permit. These details are outlined in the Public Tree Protection By-law.

On private property, you’re not allowed to injure or remove any tree 15 cm (6 inches) or greater in diameter without a permit, including dead or dying trees. These details are outlined in the Private Tree Protection By-law.

Apply for a tree permit

If you need to injure or remove a tree:

1. Complete the tree permit application form
   • Provide any supporting documents or drawings that are required, such as locations of the trees, an arborist report and a replanting plan.
   • Arborist reports are required for all development and construction projects, but not for dead trees.
2. Submit your application either online, by mail or in person

Apply online

Other ways to apply

Tree permit fee

A permit and non-refundable base permit fee is required if you’re:

• Removing one or more trees on private property that are 15 cm (6 inches) or greater in diameter
• Proposing to injure or remove a tree on City property

There’s no base fee or additional fees required if you’re applying to remove trees that are dead or dying.

You must submit the non-refundable base permit fee of $399.77 (HST included) with your application. After your application is reviewed, the fee to remove additional healthy trees that are 15 cm (6 inches) or greater in diameter or any public tree is $139.72 (HST included) for each tree.

How long it takes

The City has 30 business days to review your complete application from the date it’s received.

When reviewing a tree permit application, the City takes into consideration many factors. Some of the most common criteria include but aren’t limited to:

• Reason for injuring or removing the tree
• Condition, species and location of the tree
• Tree conflicts with a development application
• Tree is causing damage to a property that can’t be mitigated through proper aboricultural practices
• The existing canopy cover on the subject lot

Replacement trees

Replacement trees are required if you’re removing one or more trees 15 cm (6 inches) or greater in diameter on your property or proposing to remove a tree on City property.

A tree replacement security deposit is required to make sure that replacement trees are planted on private property. The amount will be determined by the City. If there’s no space for replacement trees on private property, you must pay to plant replacement trees on City property. The replacement tree fee for public trees will be determined by the City.

The requirements for replacement tree planting are:

• A shade-bearing tree (of a native species) that’s at least 1.8 m tall, if it’s a coniferous (evergreen) tree, or at least 6 cm in diameter if it’s a deciduous (leaves) tree.
• One replacement tree is required for every 15 cm (6 inches) in diameter of the private or public tree removed. For example, when a tree 45 cm (18 inches) in diameter is removed, three replacement trees are required.

Ornamental trees and shrubs, including but not limited to Japanese maples, cedars and junipers, aren’t suitable replacements.

If the replacement tree on private property is healthy one year after being planted, your deposit will be refunded.

Deposit refunds

To get your deposit refunded, call 311 (or 905-615-4311 from outside city limits) one year after you’ve planted the replacement trees. We’ll schedule an inspection of the new trees before refunding your deposit.

Our urban forest

Protecting our urban forest makes our community healthier and more livable. They provide shade, cleaner air, wildlife habitat and climate benefits. The public and private tree protection by-laws help preserve, protect and enhance the urban forest by minimizing tree removal, preventing damage, requiring tree replacement and promoting tree health.

We recommend that you consult a certified arborist to ensure your trees are healthy and safe.