Do I need a permit to remove a tree in King Township?

Yes. Trees meeting the protected threshold (No DBH threshold for single private trees. Woodland qualification is based on tree density per hectare, not one tree's diameter) require a permit before removal. Dead trees may be exempt. Confirm with the city's urban forestry department before proceeding.

How long does a tree permit take in King Township?

Processing time in King Township is typically Minimum 45 days' notice required before planned work; Special Permit applications may take longer. Submitting a complete ISA-certified arborist report with your application reduces the chance of delays.

What is the penalty for removing a tree without a permit in King Township?

Fines in King Township range $100 to $50,000 (first offence); $400 to $100,000 (subsequent offences). The city can also require replanting at the owner's expense.

Service Area

Arborist Reports in King Township

Tree removal permits and construction arborist reports for Township of King. ISA Certified reports accepted by the municipality.

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

protected tree threshold

2 days

report turnaround

14+

GTA municipalities served

Tree Bylaws in King Township

King Township has no private tree bylaw. A proposed bylaw for single trees was brought to Council in 2019 and rejected. If you have a single tree on your property and it is not part of a larger woodland or woodlot, there is currently no permit required to remove it, regardless of size.

The situation is different for properties that contain woodlands or woodlots. York Region's Forest Conservation By-law applies across King Township and protects treed areas of 0.2 hectares or more with sufficient tree density. Removing trees from a qualifying woodland requires a York Region forestry permit. Depending on the scope of work, that means either a Good Forestry Practices Permit (requires a Registered Professional Forester's silvicultural prescription, fee $25) or a Special Permit for work that doesn't meet good forestry practice standards (fee $250 to $500 depending on area). Applications must be submitted to York Region at least 45 days before the planned work.

King Township is primarily rural, with many estate properties, equestrian farms, and large lots with significant tree cover. If your project involves grading, clearing, or construction near a treed area, it is worth verifying whether that area qualifies as a woodland before assuming no permit is needed. The line between a single tree and a woodland is not always obvious on the ground.

We work across King Township and can assess whether your property triggers York Region's woodland rules, prepare the required arborist and forester documentation, and handle the regional permit process with you.

King Township Tree Bylaw at a Glance

Minimum Diameter

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

Permit Fee

$25 (Good Forestry Practices Permit); $250-$500 (Special Permit, depending on area)

Processing Time

Minimum 45 days' notice required before planned work; Special Permit applications may take longer

Penalty

$100 to $50,000 (first offence); $400 to $100,000 (subsequent offences)

Special Zones

Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan area adds further restrictions on development and tree removal; Conservation Authority regulated areas along watercourses

View official bylaw City permit portal

Bylaw details verified 2026-03-23.

Before starting tree work in King Township

Check the King Township permit portal before any tree work begins. Bylaw requirements change, and fines for unpermitted removal start at $100 to $50,000 (first offence); $400 to $100,000 (subsequent offences).

What King Township Clients Say

We wanted to clear a treed section of our property for a new paddock. The arborist confirmed the area qualified as a woodland under York Region's bylaw and we would need a regional permit. They prepared the forester prescription and handled the application. No surprises.

Farm property, Nobleton

Our new build is on the Oak Ridges Moraine and had a woodlot along the back of the lot. The tree protection plan they prepared satisfied both the Township's building department and York Region's forestry reviewers.

New build, Schomberg

We were planning a significant grading project near a stand of maples on our estate property. The arborist walked the boundary, confirmed what was woodland and what wasn't, and the report kept the project on track.

Grading project, King City