Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Richmond Hill?

Yes. Trees meeting the protected threshold (15 cm diameter at 1.4m height (DBH)) 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 Richmond Hill?

Processing time in Richmond Hill is typically No published standard timeline. Submitting a complete ISA-certified arborist report with your application reduces the chance of delays.

Service Area

Arborist Reports in Richmond Hill

Tree removal permits and construction arborist reports for City of Richmond Hill. ISA Certified reports accepted by the municipality.

15 cm

protected tree threshold

2 days

report turnaround

14+

GTA municipalities served

Tree Bylaws in Richmond Hill

Richmond Hill updated its tree bylaws in April 2025, replacing the previous Tree Preservation By-law 41-07 with By-law #19-25 (Municipal Code Chapter 1015). The current bylaw protects all trees with a diameter at breast height of 15 cm or more at 1.4 metres above ground, down from the previous threshold of 20 cm. Tree injury is defined as removing more than 20% of live tissue within a 12-month period.

A standard Tree Permit application requires a Certified Arborist report and a non-refundable fee of $314 + HST for the first tree, plus $109 + HST for each additional tree to a maximum of $859 + HST. The current cash-in-lieu rate is $945 per tree under the 2026 Tariff of Fees By-law. Active Plan of Subdivision or Site Plan applications use arborist-prepared Tree Inventory and Preservation Plans through the planning process and do not require a separate Tree Permit.

Richmond Hill's blend of established neighbourhoods and active development areas means tree preservation comes up in a wide range of situations. From homeowners looking to remove a single problem tree to builders working on infill projects with multiple protected trees on site, we prepare the documentation that Richmond Hill's forestry department requires.

Richmond Hill Tree Bylaw at a Glance

Minimum Diameter

15 cm

Permit Fee

$314 + HST (first tree), $109 + HST each additional (max $859 + HST). Cash-in-lieu: $945/tree

Processing Time

No published standard timeline

Penalty

AMPS: $50 posting, $200 false information or continuing offence, $350 compliance-order violation, $500 Exemption Permit violation, and $750 injury without permit or obstruction; court fines up to $100,000 per offence and special fines may exceed $100,000

Special Zones

Oak Ridges Moraine and other natural heritage areas can trigger additional planning requirements

View official bylaw Application page

Bylaw details verified 2026-07-18.

Before starting tree work in Richmond Hill

Check the Richmond Hill permit portal before any tree work begins. Bylaw requirements change, and fines for unpermitted removal start at AMPS: $50 posting, $200 false information or continuing offence, $350 compliance-order violation, $500 Exemption Permit violation, and $750 injury without permit or obstruction; court fines up to $100,000 per offence and special fines may exceed $100,000.

Approved Tree Removal Permit

Sample approved permit from Richmond Hill (personal details redacted).

What Richmond Hill Clients Say

The new bylaw caught us off guard. Trees that didn't need permits under the old rules now did. The arborist came out, assessed our three trees, and put together applications that the city approved without any issues.

Backyard rebuild, Oak Ridges

We were building a laneway suite and had a mature sugar maple right in the construction zone. The protection plan kept the tree safe through the whole build, and the city inspector was satisfied at every check.

Laneway suite, Richmond Hill

Needed a quick site inspection to document storm damage to several trees on our property. The report was ready within days and made the insurance claim process much smoother.

Insurance claim, Mill Pond area