Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Ajax?

Service Area

Arborist Reports in Ajax

Tree removal permits and construction arborist reports for Durham Region, prepared by an ISA Certified Arborist for municipal review.

Permit required in specific zones only

Permit required in: Parks, Greenbelt land, Environmental Protection land, and certain open-space zones; Private Open Space-zoned properties are not exempt regardless of lot size
Regional rule: Durham Region Woodland By-law 30-2020 also applies for woodlands 1 hectare or more, on top of Ajax's own zone and lot-size triggers

Zone based

permit trigger

2 days

report turnaround

21+

GTA municipalities served

Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence - Ontario.

Permit required in specific zones only

Permit required in: Parks, Greenbelt land, Environmental Protection land, and certain open-space zones; Private Open Space-zoned properties are not exempt regardless of lot size
Regional rule: Durham Region Woodland By-law 30-2020 also applies for woodlands 1 hectare or more, on top of Ajax's own zone and lot-size triggers

Tree Bylaws in Ajax

Ajax's By-law 137-2006 protects trees in parks, Greenbelt land, Environmental Protection land, and certain open-space zones. Single-dwelling lots under 1.2 hectares are exempt from the bylaw unless the property is zoned Private Open Space.

For most Ajax homeowners on a standard residential lot, that exemption means an ordinary tree can be removed without a municipal permit, regardless of trunk size. The exemption narrows for larger lots and for any property zoned Private Open Space, parkland, Greenbelt, or Environmental Protection.

Durham Region's Woodland By-law 30-2020 applies on top of Ajax's own rules, adding a permit requirement for woodlands of 1 hectare or more anywhere in the Region, including Ajax.

We confirm a property's zoning and lot size against Ajax's exemption before recommending a removal path, and prepare the documentation the Town expects when a tree does fall under the bylaw's protected categories.

Ajax Tree Bylaw at a Glance

Minimum Diameter

Zone-based permit: required in parks, Greenbelt land, Environmental Protection land, and certain open-space zones. Single-dwelling lots under 1.2 hectares are exempt unless zoned Private Open Space.

Permit Fee

Contact the Town of Ajax for current tree removal permit fees.

Processing Time

Contact the Town for current timelines

Penalty

Contact the Town of Ajax for current penalty amounts under By-law 137-2006.

Special Zones

Parks, Greenbelt land, Environmental Protection land, and certain open-space zones; Private Open Space-zoned properties are not exempt regardless of lot size

View official bylaw

Bylaw details verified 2026-07-24.

See how Ajax compares to other municipalities in our GTA tree bylaw comparison.

Before starting tree work in Ajax

Check the Ajax permit portal before any tree work begins. Bylaw requirements change, and fines for unpermitted removal start at Contact the Town of Ajax for current penalty amounts under By-law 137-2006..