Mississauga Tree Removal Permit: Rules, Fees & Arborist Reports

Mississauga protects private trees 15 cm and larger

Mississauga has one of the lowest diameter thresholds for tree protection in the GTA. At just 15 cm, the city’s private tree bylaw catches trees that would be unregulated in most neighbouring municipalities. This means even relatively young trees on your property, ones that might only be 10 to 15 years old, need a permit before removal.

The Private Tree Bylaw

Mississauga’s private tree protection bylaw (By-law 0021-2022, which repealed and replaced By-law 0254-2012 effective April 1, 2022) protects all trees on private property with a trunk diameter of 15 cm or more measured at breast height (1.4 metres above ground). This applies to all species and all property types, whether residential, commercial, or industrial.

The bylaw prohibits removing, cutting down, or injuring a protected tree without a permit. “Injuring” includes root cutting, excessive pruning, and activities within the tree’s critical root zone that could compromise its health or stability.

What Counts as a Protected Tree

Any tree with a 15 cm diameter qualifies. To put that in context, a tree with a 15 cm diameter has a circumference of about 47 cm (roughly 18.5 inches around). Many common species reach this size within 10 to 15 years of planting. To check, measure the circumference at chest height and divide by 3.14.

Heritage Tree Designations

A Heritage Tree is a tree designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. No one may injure or destroy one unless approved under the Act. A permit for a tree on a lot designated under the Act also needs a written report from the City’s Heritage Coordinator saying the tree is not relevant to the heritage designation or, if it is, approval of the removal by the Heritage Advisory Committee.

Heritage Tree designation runs through the city’s Heritage Advisory Committee under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, separate from the Forestry section that processes ordinary permits.

How to Apply for a Tree Removal Permit

Step 1: Confirm the Tree Requires a Permit

Measure the tree’s trunk diameter at 1.4 metres above ground. If it is 15 cm or more, you need a permit. If you have multiple trees to remove, each tree above the threshold needs to be included in the application.

Step 2: Get an Arborist Report

Mississauga requires an arborist report with the permit application unless the tree is dead or dying (By-law 0021-2022, s. 14). The report should document the tree’s species, size, health, structural condition, and the reason for the proposed removal. For construction-related removals, the report should also address impacts to other trees on the property.

Step 3: Submit Your Application

File your application with the City of Mississauga’s Forestry section. You will need:

• A completed Private Tree Removal Application form
• An arborist report (not needed for a dead or dying tree)
• A site plan or survey showing tree locations
• The application fee
• Photos of the tree

Step 4: City Review

Mississauga’s forestry staff review the application and arborist report. Review takes up to 30 business days. The city will either approve the permit (with or without conditions), request additional information, or deny the application.

Fees

Mississauga’s fee structure is based on the number of trees and their condition:

• First healthy tree: Confirm with Mississauga for the amount
• Each additional healthy tree: $123.65 (before HST)
• Dead or dying trees: no fee

These fees are non-refundable, even if the permit is denied.

Replanting Requirements

Mississauga ties replanting requirements directly to the size of the tree being removed. The standard formula is one replacement tree for every 15 cm of trunk diameter. So a tree with a 45 cm diameter would require three replacement trees. A security deposit is required to confirm replanting obligations are met.

The bylaw enforces replanting through the security deposit: if the required trees are not planted, the deposit is forfeited into the city’s Replacement Tree Planting Fund. If replanting on site is not possible, cash-in-lieu applies: $901.67 (tree removed from private property, diameter 15 cm or greater).

Penalties

Unauthorized removal of a protected tree in Mississauga can result in fines up to $100,000 per offence, with separate daily fines for continuing offences and per-tree fines for multiple removals on top of that. The city investigates complaints and can issue fines after the fact if evidence shows a protected tree was removed without a permit.

Environmentally Significant Areas

Under section 28(5) of By-law 0021-2022, the City may refuse a permit where the natural heritage system, environmentally sensitive areas, ecological systems or natural landforms will not be adequately protected or preserved.

Development-Related Tree Permits

For construction and development projects, tree permits are tied to the site plan approval process. Developers and builders need to submit a tree inventory and preservation plan as part of their development application. Trees that cannot be preserved during construction require permits, and replanting plans are negotiated as a condition of site plan approval.

Common Questions

Size that needs a permit

Any tree with a trunk diameter of 15 cm or more measured at 1.4 metres above ground. That is one of the lowest thresholds in the GTA, low enough to catch trees only 10 to 15 years old.

Mississauga’s permit fees

Confirm with Mississauga for the fee on the first healthy tree. Each additional healthy tree is $123.65 before HST. Dead or dying trees carry no fee. The fees are non-refundable even when an application is denied.

How long does approval take?

Up to 30 business days. Forestry staff review the arborist report before approving, denying, or attaching conditions.

How many replacement trees will I owe?

One for every 15 cm of trunk diameter removed, so a 45 cm tree means three replacements. The security deposit backs that obligation: if the planting never happens, the deposit is forfeited into the city’s Replacement Tree Planting Fund.

Working with The Arborist Group

Send us the tree’s trunk diameter and your project timeline, and we will tell you what the application requires.