You need a permit if the trunk is at or above your city's minimum protected diameter: Burlington 20cm, Toronto 30cm (RNFP/ravine trees protected at any size), Oakville 15cm, Richmond Hill 15cm, Brampton 30cm, Vaughan 20cm, Mississauga 15cm, Markham 20cm, King Township no private tree bylaw (York Region woodlands only). Contact us for a free consultation.

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Q: How do tree removal reports work?

1. Submit your request for information or report. 2. We contact you to confirm details. 3. A certified arborist inspects the tree(s). 4. Receive your report by email within 2 business days of the site visit, guaranteed, or the report is free. Attach the report to your tree removal application to complete your permit request.

Q: How long does the permit process take?

Markham decides within 45 days of payment. Construction permits and properties in ravines, the Escarpment or heritage districts can take longer.

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Our work runs from Metrolinx projects downtown to homes and building sites in Oakville, Brampton and Markham. We help homeowners, developers, and contractors meet municipal permit requirements across the GTA and Southern Ontario.

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Reach out by phone or form. We respond within 24 hours and confirm what's needed.

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An ISA Certified Arborist visits your property and assesses the trees in question.

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You receive a complete, municipal-ready arborist report within 2 business days of your site visit, or the report is free.

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Submit the report with your application. We support any report revisions the municipality requests.

Tree rules for your municipality

Pick the municipality where the tree stands. Your mailing address can name a different town.

Ajax

Remove a private tree

Permit by area or zoning

Zone-based permit: required on Greenbelt land, on Environmental Protection, Open Space or park land in the Official Plan, and on land zoned Private Open Space. Single-dwelling lots under 1.2 hectares are exempt unless zoned Private Open Space.

Exemptions and limits

Single-dwelling lots under 1.2 hectares, unless zoned Private Open Space

Special areas and other bylaws

Greenbelt land, and land designated Environmental Protection, Open Space, Town-Wide Park, Community Park or Neighbourhood Park. Land zoned Private Open Space is covered at any lot size

Build near trees

Municipal protection rules

Tree protection barriers sit at least 1.0 m beyond the dripline. The barrier is 2.4 m plywood hoarding or an approved equivalent. On the Town road allowance, 1.2 m snow fencing can be used where sightlines matter. No construction, grade change or excavation is allowed inside the barrier.

Before work starts

The Town inspects the barrier before construction starts. Trees in parks, greenbelt or environmental protection land need a Town permit before they are damaged or removed.

Check your tree

Permit guide Official bylaw Barrier standard AS-705

Aurora

Remove a private tree

Permit by trunk size

20 cm

Trunk diameter that brings a tree under the bylaw

Private Tree Protection By-law 5850-16 requires a permit for more than 2 trees over 20 cm in 12 months, or any tree over 70 cm.

Measure the trunk diameter at a height of 1.37 m. Diameter is the width across the trunk, not the distance around it.

Regional rule and details

York Region Forest Conservation By-law 2013-68: Woodlands of 1 hectare or more. Smaller treed areas fall under the Town's own bylaw.

Trunk diameter is measured 1.37 metres above ground. On a lot under 0.25 hectares, an owner can remove up to two trees over 20 cm in any 12 months without a permit, and larger lots get two per 0.25 hectares. Any tree over 70 cm, any Heritage Tree and any tree in a heritage conservation district needs a permit.

Build near trees

Municipal protection rules

On site plan, subdivision and consent work, the Town requires a tree preservation plan and fencing built to Standard Drawing TP-2. The fence is 1,200 mm high, stands at least 1,000 mm beyond the drip line and goes up before demolition, grading or construction. Nothing is stored, dug or graded inside it.

Before work starts

With a building permit alone, By-law 5850-16 still counts regrading, root damage and stored material inside the drip line as injury. Injuring more than 2 trees over 20 cm in 12 months, or any tree over 70 cm, needs a tree permit. A tree on the lot line needs the neighbour's written consent.

Town of Aurora, Trees Landscape Design Guidelines

Brampton

Remove a private tree

Permit by trunk size

30 cm

Trunk diameter that brings a tree under the bylaw

Exemptions and limits

Hazardous trees as the bylaw defines them (destabilized, structurally compromised or pest-infested). The bylaw has no separate dead tree exemption

Special areas and other bylaws

Woodlots 0.2ha+ are separately protected under Woodlot Conservation By-law 316-2012

Build near trees

Municipal protection rules

Standard Drawing L110 sets the fencing: a 1.2 m wire fence at the dripline radius for trees under 30 cm, and at twice the dripline radius for trees over 30 cm.

Before work starts

Injuring or removing a private tree 30 cm or wider needs a permit under Tree Preservation By-law 317-2012. Trees within 2 m of an occupied building and hazardous trees are exempt. Woodlots fall under Woodlot Conservation By-law 316-2012.

Check your tree

Permit guide Official bylaw Fencing standard L110

Brock

Remove a private tree

No private tree bylaw

No township bylaw covers tree removal on an ordinary residential lot.

Regional rule and details

Durham Region Woodland By-law 30-2020: Woodlands of 1 hectare (2.5 acres) or more anywhere in Durham Region. Woodlands under that size are left to the local municipality, and Brock has no equivalent by-law of its own.

Brock has no tree by-law. Its Site Alteration and Fill By-law 3426-2026 bars site alteration that injures a tree except as a Regional or Township by-law allows. Durham Region's Woodland By-law 30-2020 is the only tree permit, and it applies solely to woodlands of 1 hectare (2.5 acres) or more. It exempts trees within 15 metres of a building with a building permit.

Build near trees

Regional and provincial rules only

Brock has no tree protection bylaw and publishes no protection distance or barrier. Its Site Alteration and Fill By-law bars grading or fill that injures a tree unless a Regional or Township by-law allows it. Durham Region's Woodland By-law covers woodlands of 1 ha or more.

Before work starts

Durham's by-law exempts trees within 15 m of a building that has a building permit. A tree on the lot line belongs to both owners under the Forestry Act, so injuring it needs both owners' consent.

Township of Brock by-laws and policies Site Alteration and Fill By-law 3426-2026

Burlington

Remove a private tree

Permit by trunk size

20 cm

Trunk diameter that brings a tree under the bylaw

Exemptions and limits

Emergency tree work (written notice to the city within 72 hours)
Dead, terminal-condition, or high-risk trees (permit still required; application fee waived)
Trees under Royal Botanical Gardens or Conservation Halton care and control

Special areas and other bylaws

Niagara Escarpment plan area has separate regulations. Trees 75 cm+ are 'significant' and need 4 replacement trees each

Build near trees

Municipal protection rules

For work in the City road right-of-way, Table 1 of Specification SS12A sets the protection zone by trunk diameter. Fencing is 1.2 m orange plastic web snow fencing on a wood frame, and it stays in place for the whole project. The private tree bylaw counts failing to protect a tree to this specification as injury.

Before work starts

Inside the Urban Planning Area, injuring or removing a private tree 20 cm or wider needs a permit under Private Tree By-law 40-2022.

Check your tree

Permit guide Official bylaw Specification SS12A

Caledon

Remove a private tree

Permit by trunk size

30 cm

Trunk diameter that brings a tree under the bylaw

Exemptions and limits

Trees under 30 cm DBH
Trees with no living tissue or 70%+ dead crown
Hazardous trees
Emergency work
Nursery, Christmas tree, or orchard businesses

Special areas and other bylaws

A tree removal for construction or development in the Niagara Escarpment's Area of Development Control also needs a Niagara Escarpment Commission permit. Woodlands are regulated separately under By-law 2000-100

Build near trees

Municipal protection rules

On grading and building permit projects, the Town drawing calls for a 1200 mm snow fence on T-bar stakes, outside the dripline, before the permit is issued. The drawing sets no distance beyond the dripline.

Before work starts

A private tree outside woodlands that is 30 cm or wider needs a Town permit before you injure or remove it, unless an exemption applies.

Check your tree

Permit guide Official bylaw Fencing drawing 606

Clarington

Remove a private tree

Permit by area or zoning

Zone-based permit: required for woodlots of 0.2 hectares or more, Environmental Protection-designated lands, and trees within 120 metres of a mapped wetland. No permit needed for an ordinary tree on a standard lot outside those areas.

Exemptions and limits

An ordinary tree on a standard lot outside a qualifying woodlot, Environmental Protection land, or the 120 metre wetland buffer

Special areas and other bylaws

Woodlots of 0.2 hectares or more, Environmental Protection-designated lands, and trees within 120 metres of a mapped wetland

Build near trees

Municipal protection rules

On site plans, trees to keep are fenced with hoarding (snow fencing) beyond the drip line before the building permit is issued. Nothing may be stored inside the fence.

Before work starts

Subdivisions need a tree preservation plan approved by the Director of Engineering. Destroying trees in a woodlot, in an Environmental Protection Area or within 120 m of a mapped wetland needs a permit under By-law 97-35 unless an exemption applies.

Check your tree

Permit guide Official bylaw Landscape design guidelines

East Gwillimbury

Remove a private tree

Permit by trunk size

20 cm

Trunk diameter that brings a tree under the bylaw

20 cm diameter at breast height, measured 1.37 m above existing grade, for private and neighbouring trees

Exemptions and limits

Up to 3 live, healthy trees per year, each 30cm DBH or less
Dead, dying, or hazardous trees
Listed invasive species, including Norway Maple, Manitoba Maple, and Buckthorn
Normal farm practice, up to 5 trees per 50 acres per year with a valid Farm Business Registration number

Special areas and other bylaws

Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) regulated areas and the Oak Ridges Moraine. LSRCA review is required in its regulated areas. On the Moraine, O. Reg. 140/02 prohibits development and site alteration inside a key natural heritage feature or its 30 m vegetation protection zone, except for listed uses, and an application within 120 m of the feature needs a natural heritage evaluation. York Region Forest Conservation By-law applies to woodlands of 1 hectare or more and woodlots of 0.2 to 1.0 hectare

Build near trees

Municipal protection rules

Compaction or re-grading inside a tree protection zone, up to any existing paved surface, counts as destroying the tree under By-law 2024-077, and so does storing materials there. The bylaw sets no zone distance. A permit can require hoarding around the trees that stay.

Before work starts

Injuring or removing a private tree 20 cm or wider needs a Town permit. Removing up to three live, healthy trees of 30 cm or less in one year is exempt.

Check your tree

Permit guide Official bylaw Tree Protection By-law 2024-077

Georgina

Remove a private tree

Permit by area or zoning

No town bylaw. York Region's Forest Conservation By-law 2013-68 covers woodlots from 0.2 hectares.

Regional rule and details

York Region Forest Conservation By-law 2013-68: Woodlots of 0.2 to 1 hectare and woodlands of 1 hectare or more, each defined by tree density. A single tree or a small residential cluster needs no regional permit.

Georgina's 2025 Tree Preservation and Compensation Policy update states directly that "the Town is not implementing a tree-cutting bylaw at this point." A homeowner removing a tree from an ordinary yard needs no municipal permit. York Region's Forest Conservation By-law 2013-68 is the only trigger. It covers woodlots of 0.2 to 1 hectare (0.5 to 2.5 acres) and woodlands of 1 hectare or more, each defined by tree density.

Build near trees

Municipal protection rules

A building permit alone triggers no Town tree rule. On a rezoning, subdivision, site plan or consent application, Georgina's tree policy fences each tree at the edge of its protection zone with 1.37 m hoarding. The zone runs from 2.0 m for a trunk under 20 cm to 9.0 m at 91 to 100 cm.

Before work starts

The arborist report covers every tree of 10 cm or more within 6 m of the work, neighbours' trees included. Removing part of a neighbour's tree needs the neighbour's written consent.

Town of Georgina, Tree Preservation Tree Preservation and Compensation Policy

Halton Hills

Remove a private tree

Permit by area or zoning

No town bylaw; Halton Region's Tree By-law 121-05 applies over 0.5 hectares.

Regional rule and details

Halton Region Tree By-law 121-05: A woodland larger than 0.5 hectares (1.1 acres), or land within the Regional Greenlands or Natural Heritage System.

Halton Hills has no private tree bylaw of its own. The Town has studied one since 2021 and has not adopted it. The only rule that can reach a private lot is Halton Region's Tree By-law 121-05, triggered only where a property contains a woodland larger than 0.5 hectares (1.1 acres) or land inside the Regional Greenlands system. Outside the Urban Area, up to 24 cubic metres of wood per year can still be harvested for personal use without a permit, even inside a qualifying woodland.

Build near trees

Regional and provincial rules only

Halton Hills has no private tree bylaw and publishes no protection distance or fence standard. Site plan, subdivision and rezoning files need an arborist report and a tree preservation plan that covers trees on the site and on neighbouring lots.

Before work starts

A building permit alone triggers no Town tree rule. Halton Region Tree By-law 121-05 still applies to woodlands of 0.5 ha or more and to Regional Greenlands. A tree growing on the lot line belongs to both owners under section 10 of the Forestry Act, so both must agree before it is injured or removed.

Halton Region Tree By-law Official Plan policy C9

Hamilton

Remove a private tree

Permit by area or zoning

No uniform threshold. Some mapped or designated areas use 10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, or 45 cm triggers. Woodland rules depend on woodland size and density.

Exemptions and limits

No blanket exemption can be inferred from the former municipality alone. Tree ownership, woodland status, mapped schedules, conservation regulation, and development approvals must also be checked.

Special areas and other bylaws

Niagara Escarpment plan area, Conservation Authority lands, Heritage Trees in Ancaster, Urban Woodlands 0.2ha+

Build near trees

Municipal protection rules

On private land going through Planning Act approvals, tree protection fencing sits at least 1 m from the drip line. The fence is Paige wire, not snow fencing, and carries a sign. Grades inside it stay as they are and nothing is stored there.

Before work starts

Hamilton has no city-wide private tree bylaw. Work near a City tree needs a public tree permit. In Ancaster, Dundas and Stoney Creek, legacy bylaws also cover specified trees and designated land.

Check your tree

Permit guide Official bylaw Tree protection guidelines

King Township

Remove a private tree

No private tree bylaw

No private tree bylaw; woodlots (0.2-1 ha) and woodlands (1+ ha) with qualifying tree density regulated under York Region Forest Conservation By-law

Exemptions and limits

Individual trees on private property (no private tree bylaw)
Trees outside qualifying woodland/woodlot areas

Special areas and other bylaws

Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan area and Conservation Authority regulated areas along watercourses. On the Moraine, O. Reg. 140/02 prohibits development and site alteration inside a key natural heritage feature or its 30 m vegetation protection zone, except for listed uses, and an application within 120 m of a feature needs a natural heritage evaluation

Build near trees

Regional and provincial rules only

King has no tree bylaw for private lots and publishes no protection distance or fence standard. Its Site Alteration By-law sends any grading that could injure a tree to the York Region Forest Conservation By-law, which covers woodlands of 1 ha or more.

Before work starts

If the work is in or beside a woodland or woodlot, get a York Region forestry permit before any digging or grading. A tree whose trunk sits on the lot line belongs to both owners under the Forestry Act, so get the neighbour's consent before you injure it.

Check your tree

Permit guide Official bylaw King Township trees

Markham

Remove a private tree

Permit by trunk size

20 cm

Trunk diameter that brings a tree under the bylaw

Measure the trunk diameter at a height of 1.37 m. Diameter is the width across the trunk, not the distance around it.

Exemptions and limits

A permit is still required for dead, dying, and hazardous trees; replacement planting or cash-in-lieu does not apply when the permit classifies the tree in one of those categories

Special areas and other bylaws

In heritage conservation districts, tree removal is part of the Tree Permit (By-law 2023-20 s.4(i)). Markham's Official Plan protects environmentally significant areas through planning approvals

Build near trees

Municipal protection rules

On sites that need a Tree Assessment and Preservation Plan, protection hoarding is 3/4 inch plywood on a 1.22 m (4 ft) high wood frame. A City Tree Preservation Officer inspects it before any demolition or construction. The minimum zone runs from 1.2 m to 6.0 m by trunk diameter, measured from the outside of the trunk, or to the dripline if that is farther.

Before work starts

Injuring or removing a privately owned tree 20 cm or wider needs a permit under By-law 2023-164.

Check your tree

Permit guide Official bylaw Tree preservation requirements

Milton

Remove a private tree

No private tree bylaw

No private tree bylaw for individual trees. Halton Region woodlots 0.5 ha+ (more than 500 trees/ha, over 12 cm DBH) regulated under By-law 121-05. Development site plans must show existing trees greater than 150 mm in calliper.

Exemptions and limits

All individual private trees outside a qualifying Halton Region woodlot

Special areas and other bylaws

Halton Region woodlots under By-law 121-05; Conservation Halton regulated watercourse and floodplain areas

Build near trees

Municipal protection rules

Milton publishes no private tree permit. Its pages send owners of lots over 0.5 ha, or inside the Regional Greenlands System, to Halton Region's Tree By-law 121-05. For subdivision works the Town puts tree fencing 1.0 m beyond the drip line, and site plans follow the approved arborist report.

Before work starts

On a site plan, show every tree over 150 mm and any neighbour's tree whose drip line crosses your lot, and fence to the arborist report. Site alteration that could injure a protected tree needs a Town permit that sets the protection measures.

Check your tree

Permit guide Official bylaw Standards Manual Part 2, tree protection

Mississauga

Remove a private tree

Permit by trunk size

15 cm

Trunk diameter that brings a tree under the bylaw

Measure the trunk diameter at a height of 1.4 m. Diameter is the width across the trunk, not the distance around it.

Exemptions and limits

Dead or dying trees (no permit fee)
Emergency hazard situations

Special areas and other bylaws

The City may refuse a permit where the natural heritage system, environmentally sensitive areas, ecological systems or natural landforms (any of which may be defined in the City's Official Plan) will not be adequately protected (By-law 0021-2022, s.28(5))

Build near trees

Municipal protection rules

A private tree 15 cm or wider needs a City permit before anyone injures it, and By-law 0021-2022 counts construction damage, regrading or compaction in the protection zone, and stored materials as injury. The City standard sets the minimum zone by trunk diameter, from 1.2 m under 10 cm to 6.0 m at 91 to 100 cm.

Before work starts

Apply for the tree permit before work starts. The permit sets the hoarding and the tree preservation plan, and the City must approve the hoarding before work begins. Written consent from the neighbour is required to injure a boundary tree.

Check your tree

Permit guide Official bylaw Private Tree Protection By-law 0021-2022

Newmarket

Remove a private tree

Permit by trunk size

20 cm

Trunk diameter that brings a tree under the bylaw

20 cm diameter at breast height (measured 1.4 m above ground) for private and neighbouring trees

Exemptions and limits

Dead or dying trees (permit still required, no arborist report needed)
Emergency removals with photo notification to the Town
Hazardous trees with an arborist report (no fee, no replacement trees)

Special areas and other bylaws

A Heritage Tree needs approval under the Ontario Heritage Act before a permit can issue; York Region Forest Conservation By-law applies to woodlands of 1 hectare or more; Woodlot By-law 2007-71 applies to woodlots 0.2 to 1.0 hectare

Build near trees

Municipal protection rules

The Town's Guide to Private Tree Protection sets protection zones by trunk diameter, from 1.8 m for trees under 10 cm to 6.0 m or larger for trees 100 cm and up. Plans show each zone as a scaled circle, with a scale bar and legend.

Before work starts

Removing or injuring a tree 20 cm or wider needs a Town permit first.

Check your tree

Permit guide Official bylaw

Oakville

Remove a private tree

Permit by trunk size

15 cm

Trunk diameter that brings a tree under the bylaw

Exemptions and limits

Dead trees (no fee)
Ash trees (no fee)
Buckthorn (no fee)
High-risk trees (no fee)

Special areas and other bylaws

The Private Tree Protection By-law does not apply to a woodland or greenlands governed by the Halton Region Tree By-law 121-05

Build near trees

Municipal protection rules

Schedule 1 barriers go up before any construction: 1.2 m waferboard hoarding or an equivalent approved by Urban Forestry Services, with supports outside the protection zone.

Before work starts

Injuring or removing a private tree 15 cm or wider needs a permit under By-law 2017-038. If the removal comes from a project such as a pool, the Town requires an arborist report.

Check your tree

Permit guide Official bylaw Barrier standard, Schedule 1

Oshawa

Remove a private tree

No private tree bylaw

No private tree bylaw. Durham Region Woodland By-law 30-2020 regulates woodlands of 1 hectare or more.

Exemptions and limits

All individual private trees outside a qualifying Durham Region woodland

Special areas and other bylaws

Durham Region Woodland By-law 30-2020 woodlands of 1 hectare or more; conservation authority regulated areas near ravines and watercourses

Build near trees

Municipal protection rules

Oshawa's City Trees By-law 78-2008 covers City property only, so the City has no permit for a private tree. On development plans the City's detail 25-P604 sets fencing 1.8 m to 6.0 m beyond the drip line by trunk diameter. Durham Region's Woodland By-law covers woodlands of 1 ha or more.

Before work starts

A tree plan for a site plan or subdivision must follow detail 25-P604, and the City inspects the hoarding before work starts. Building permit work that stays within 15 m of the building and removes only trees the building needs is exempt from the Region's bylaw.

Check your tree

Permit guide Official bylaw Tree protection detail 25-P604

Pickering

Remove a private tree

Permit by area or zoning

Zone-based: a permit is needed only inside the Tree Protection Areas on Schedule A of By-law 8073/24. Inside them, trees 2.5 cm or more in diameter at 1.5 m above grade are protected.

Exemptions and limits

Trees outside the designated Tree Protection Areas
Trees under 2.5 cm in diameter, measured 1.5 m above grade

Special areas and other bylaws

Tree Protection Areas shown on the Schedule A map, which usually follow watercourses or green spaces

Build near trees

Municipal protection rules

On development projects, the City's drawing P-1100 calls for snow fencing on T-bar posts at least 1.0 m beyond the dripline of each tree or group. The Landscape Architect approves the fence location, and drawing P-1101 bars storing materials inside it.

Before work starts

The fencing goes up before construction starts. Removing a tree in a designated Tree Protection Area needs a permit under By-law 8073/24.

Check your tree

Official bylaw Fencing standard P-1100

Richmond Hill

Remove a private tree

Permit by trunk size

15 cm

Trunk diameter that brings a tree under the bylaw

Measure the trunk diameter at a height of 1.4 m. Diameter is the width across the trunk, not the distance around it.

Exemptions and limits

Dead, dying, and hazardous trees use an Exemption Permit with category-specific evidence
Emergency work requires a retrospective permit, Arborist Report, and pre-removal photographs

Special areas and other bylaws

Oak Ridges Moraine and its key natural heritage features. O. Reg. 140/02 prohibits development and site alteration inside a feature or its 30 m vegetation protection zone, except for listed uses. An application within 120 m of a feature, outside the feature and its zone, needs a natural heritage evaluation

Build near trees

Municipal protection rules

For site plan and subdivision projects, the City's chart sets the minimum protection zone by trunk diameter, from 1.8 m for trees 10 to 14 cm to 6.0 m at 91 to 100 cm, and 6 cm per 1 cm of diameter above that. Any work inside the zone counts as injury to the tree.

Before work starts

Removing or injuring a tree wider than 15 cm needs a permit under Tree Preservation By-law 19-25.

Check your tree

Permit guide Official bylaw Tree preservation information

Scugog

Remove a private tree

No private tree bylaw

No township bylaw covers tree removal on an ordinary residential lot.

Regional rule and details

Durham Region Woodland By-law 30-2020: Woodlands of 1 hectare or more with a minimum tree density.

Scugog's by-law index lists a site alteration by-law, a property standards by-law and a design criteria by-law, with nothing for trees. On a planning application, Official Plan section 3.23 protects significant trees and sets fencing 5 metres from the trunk or at the canopy edge. Durham Region's Woodland By-law 30-2020 names Scugog as a covered municipality, but it only applies to woodlands of 1 hectare or more, and it exempts tree removal within 15 metres of a building for which a building permit was issued.

Build near trees

Municipal protection rules

A building permit alone triggers no Township tree rule. On a planning application, the Official Plan protects significant trees and fences them 5 m from the trunk or at the canopy edge. Durham Region's Woodland By-law covers woodlands of 1 ha or more.

Before work starts

Site alteration that could injure a tree must follow the Regional woodland by-law and the Township's tree preservation policy. A tree on the lot line belongs to both owners under the Forestry Act, so injuring it needs both owners' consent.

Township of Scugog by-laws Official Plan section 3.23

Toronto

Remove a private tree

Permit by trunk size

30 cm

Trunk diameter that brings a tree under the bylaw

Measure the trunk diameter at a height of 1.4 m. Diameter is the width across the trunk, not the distance around it.

Exemptions and limits

Trees confirmed 100 percent dead by the City, once the permit exception confirmation is received (unless emergency work is needed first)
Terminally diseased or imminently hazardous trees certified by the City (s. 813-13 A)
Emergency work certified by the City (s. 813-13 D)
Pruning in line with good arboricultural practice to maintain tree health (s. 813-13 B)
Trees in rooftop gardens, interior courtyards, solariums, or on elevated podiums (s. 813-13 E, as amended September 1, 2026)

Special areas and other bylaws

Ravine and Natural Feature Protection (RNFP) areas under Chapter 658 protect trees of ANY size in ravine areas

Build near trees

Municipal protection rules

Tree protection zones grow with trunk diameter. In ravine and natural feature (RNFP) areas the zone is the drip line or a larger distance, whichever is greater. Barriers are 2.4 m plywood hoarding, or an equivalent Urban Forestry approves, and Urban Forestry can approve a lower height. They stay up through demolition and construction.

Before work starts

Injuring or removing a private tree 30 cm or wider needs a permit to Injure or Remove Trees. Install the barriers before any work on the site starts.

Check your tree

Permit guide Official bylaw Tree permits and hoarding

Uxbridge

Remove a private tree

Permit by area or zoning

No township bylaw. Durham Region's Woodland By-law 30-2020 applies from 1 hectare.

Regional rule and details

Durham Region Woodland By-law 30-2020: A woodland of 1 hectare or more meeting a minimum tree density.

Uxbridge has no tree by-law of its own, and its by-law page lists only the Regional tree by-law. Durham Region's Woodland By-law 30-2020 replaced Tree By-law 27-2008 in 2020. It reaches only a woodland of at least 1 hectare that meets a minimum tree density. An ordinary suburban yard tree falls well short of that, and even inside a qualifying woodland, removal within 15 metres of a building with a building permit is exempt.

Build near trees

Regional and provincial rules only

Uxbridge has no tree protection bylaw and publishes no protection distance or barrier. A building permit alone triggers no tree rule. Durham Region's Woodland By-law covers woodlands of 1 ha or more and exempts trees within 15 m of a permitted building.

Before work starts

Fill or grading beyond a building permit needs a Township site alteration permit, and the tree protection on the approved plan goes up before work starts. A tree on the lot line belongs to both owners under the Forestry Act, so injuring it needs both owners' consent.

Township of Uxbridge regulatory by-laws Site Alteration By-law 2010-084

Vaughan

Remove a private tree

Permit by trunk size

20 cm

Trunk diameter that brings a tree under the bylaw

Measure the trunk diameter at a height of 1.37 m. Diameter is the width across the trunk, not the distance around it.

Exemptions and limits

Emergency Work, meaning work needed to end an immediate threat to life or property (s.4.0(4)(a))
Pruning to good arboricultural practice: no more than 25% of live branches, or more as part of an annual pruning program (s.4.0(4)(b))
Removing dead branches (s.4.0(4)(c))
Trees on rooftop gardens, in interior courtyards or in solariums (s.4.0(4)(d))
Tree nursery owners and operators, and trees grown for sale (s.4.0(4)(e))
Golf course owners and operators, for work that supports nearby vegetation or playability (s.4.0(4)(f))
These exemptions cover private trees only. Injuring, removing or pruning a public tree needs a permit (s.4.0(1)(a))
Dead, hazardous or Emerald Ash Borer-infected trees have no exemption: a permit is still required, with no arborist report and no fee

Special areas and other bylaws

Woodlands of 1 hectare or more under York Region's Forest Conservation By-law 2013-68, which the City bylaw leaves to the Region (s.2.0(2)(a)). Woodlots of 0.2 to 1 hectare stay with the City bylaw at the same 20 cm threshold. The bylaw has no ravine provision

Build near trees

Municipal protection rules

Table 2 of the Tree Protection Protocol sets the minimum protection zone by trunk diameter, from 1.2 m for trees under 10 cm to 6.0 m at 91 to 100 cm. Trees in naturalized areas get the drip line or a larger distance, whichever is greater.

Before work starts

Barriers go up before any grading or construction, and the City inspects them before site works start. Protecting a private tree over 20 cm during construction needs a Tree Protection Permit under By-law 177-2025, unless a Tree Protection Agreement already covers the project.

Check your tree

Permit guide Official bylaw Tree Protection Protocol

Whitby

Remove a private tree

Permit by area or zoning

Zone-based permit: required for woodlots of 0.2 to 1.0 hectares, land zoned Environmental Protection, Conservation, Greenbelt, or Oak Ridges Moraine, mature woodlands and Environmentally Significant Areas, residential lots of 2.02 hectares or more, and heritage districts. No permit needed for an ordinary tree on a standard residential lot outside those categories.

Exemptions and limits

A standard residential lot outside Environmental Protection, Conservation, Greenbelt, Oak Ridges Moraine, heritage district, or qualifying woodlot/large-lot zoning

Special areas and other bylaws

Woodlots of 0.2 to 1.0 hectares, land zoned Environmental Protection, Conservation, Greenbelt, or Oak Ridges Moraine, mature woodlands and Environmentally Significant Areas, residential lots of 2.02 hectares or more, and heritage districts

Build near trees

Municipal protection rules

On site plan and subdivision projects, the protection zone grows with trunk diameter, from 1.2 m to 6.0 m, and more for trunks over 100 cm. Fencing sits at the zone edge or 1.0 m beyond the dripline, whichever is greater.

Before work starts

Removing trees in a woodlot of 0.2 to 1.0 ha, or on other regulated land, needs a Town permit. Woodlands of 1 ha or more fall under the Durham Region Woodland By-law.

Check your tree

Permit guide Official bylaw Tree protection requirements

Whitchurch-Stouffville

Remove a private tree

Permit by trunk size

30 cm

Trunk diameter that brings a tree under the bylaw

30 cm diameter at standard height (1.3 m above grade) for a Mature Tree, within the town's Secondary Plan settlement areas only

Exemptions and limits

Properties outside the Secondary Plan settlement areas
Trees under 30 cm diameter at standard height

Special areas and other bylaws

By-law 2023-060-RE applies only within Stouffville, Gormley, Vandorf-Preston Lake, Ballantrae-Musselman Lake, and the Hamlet of Bloomington; Heritage Trees under the Ontario Heritage Act cannot be removed or relocated under any circumstances

Build near trees

Municipal protection rules

On site plan, subdivision and consent applications in the settlement areas, protection hoarding is at least 1.2 m high, around the whole tree where possible. The radius is 2.5 m for the first 30 cm of trunk diameter, plus 0.5 m for every extra 10 cm.

Before work starts

Removing a Mature Tree (30 cm or wider) in a settlement area needs Town approval through the site plan, subdivision or consent application.

Check your tree

Permit guide Official bylaw Tree By-law 2023-060-RE

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Map key: remove a private tree

Permit by trunk size
Permit by area or zoning
No private tree bylaw

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We do not remove trees

Most tree companies also perform removals. We earn nothing more if a tree comes down, so the report says what we find.

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Pricing

No surprises. Pricing confirmed before we start.

Current offer: Tree Removal Reports ~~$250~~ $200 · Construction Reports 20% off your final quote

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Free consultation, response within 24 hours
Any tree or permit question answered
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Tree Removal Report

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$250$200

Response within 24 hours
Covers up to 3 trees
Replanting plan and application support included
Written to the municipal bylaw criteria

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Construction Report

20% off your final quote

$550+

Regular price before the 20% off discount

Response within 24 hours
Site plan review and assessment
Tree protection plan included
Written to the municipal bylaw criteria

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Construction services beyond the report

Arborist Supervision & Inspections

From $145/hour with a three-hour minimum. Call or email to request next-day attendance.

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Compliance Services

Tree Protection Fencing

Orange fencing installed to municipal spec with arborist sign-off included.

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Arborist performing a nest clearance survey

Seasonal Compliance

Nest Clearance Surveys

Migratory bird risk assessments for your project, plus an active-nest survey on sites with simple habitat and few places to nest.

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Now serving Metro Vancouver

Tree removal permit reports for properties in Metro Vancouver, BC. We confirm availability for your address before we quote.

See Metro Vancouver services

Vancouver contact: (778) 819-8011, vancouver@arboristgroup.com.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit?

You need a permit if the trunk is at or above your city's minimum diameter, measured at chest height (DBH).

Municipality	Min. Protected Diameter
Burlington	20 cm
Toronto	30 cm
Toronto (City street / RNFP)	Any size
Mississauga	15 cm
Oakville	15 cm
Markham	20 cm
Richmond Hill	15 cm
Vaughan	20 cm
Brampton	30 cm
King Township	No private tree bylaw (York Region woodlands only)

Not sure where your property falls? Contact us for a free consultation. For a full breakdown of each city's rules, see our municipal bylaw guide.

How do tree removal reports work?

Submit your request for information or report
We contact you to confirm details
A certified arborist inspects the tree(s)
Receive your report by email within 2 business days of the site visit, guaranteed, or the report is free

Attach the report to your tree removal application to complete your permit request.

How many replacement trees will I need to plant?

Each city sets its own ratio. Mississauga uses 1 per 15 cm. Burlington asks for 2 to 4 trees by the size removed. In Toronto, Urban Forestry sets the number in each permit, and cash-in-lieu is $583 per tree when the lot has no room to plant. Your report states the exact requirement.

What happens if a tree is removed without a permit?

Toronto fines run from $500 to $100,000 per tree. Brampton adds up to $10,000 per day for a continuing offence. If discovered during construction, the city can issue a stop work order that halts your entire project until the situation is resolved. Toronto requires 5 replacement trees for each regulated tree removed without authorization, and Markham charges 6 for a tree proven only from aerial photos or surveys.

How long does the permit process take?

Municipality	Review time
Vaughan	Initial response within 30 business days
Mississauga	30 business days
Oakville	Contact within 5 business days
Markham	Within 45 days of payment
Brampton	Up to 30 business days

View all questions

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Tell us about your property and an ISA Certified Arborist will follow up with next steps and a firm quote.

Free consultation, response within 24 hours.
Municipal-ready report delivered in 2 business days.
Independent assessment. We do not sell tree removal.

(647) 479-8778 info@arboristgroup.com

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Tree rules for your municipality

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East Gwillimbury

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Exemptions and limits

King Township

Exemptions and limits

Markham

Exemptions and limits

Milton

Exemptions and limits

Mississauga

Exemptions and limits

Newmarket

Exemptions and limits

Oakville

Exemptions and limits

Oshawa

Exemptions and limits

Pickering

Exemptions and limits

Richmond Hill

Exemptions and limits

Scugog

Toronto

Exemptions and limits

Uxbridge

Vaughan

Exemptions and limits

Whitby

Exemptions and limits

Whitchurch-Stouffville

Exemptions and limits

We do not remove trees

Pricing

Free Consultation

Tree Removal Report

Construction Report

Construction services beyond the report

Arborist Supervision & Inspections

Tree Protection Fencing

Nest Clearance Surveys

Now serving Metro Vancouver

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit?

How do tree removal reports work?

How many replacement trees will I need to plant?

What happens if a tree is removed without a permit?

How long does the permit process take?

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