Scarborough Tree Removal Permit: Rules, Fees & Arborist Reports

Scarborough and Toronto’s Tree Bylaws

Scarborough became part of the City of Toronto through municipal amalgamation in 1998. For tree permit purposes, this means Scarborough properties follow the same bylaws that govern all Toronto addresses: Chapter 813 (Private Tree Bylaw) and, where applicable, Chapter 658 (Ravine and Natural Feature Protection). There is no separate Scarborough bylaw. Applications go to Toronto’s Urban Forestry department, and the same fees and thresholds apply. Toronto adopted bylaw amendments effective September 1, 2026, including a Distinctive Tree category for trees over 61 cm DBH. The amendments apply in Scarborough like everywhere else in the city.

Scarborough has its own character that shapes how these rules play out in practice. The district has a large concentration of mature urban forest. Older subdivisions built between the 1950s and 1970s produced streets lined with trees that are now well past the 30 cm threshold. Many homeowners discover they need a permit only after planning a renovation or calling a tree service.

Scarborough’s Forest Character

Three natural systems define where tree permit complexity concentrates in Scarborough:

The Scarborough Bluffs run along Lake Ontario from Birch Cliff east to Highland Creek. Properties on or near the Bluffs are very likely to fall within RNFP-designated territory. The Bluffs are an active geological feature and the city protects the surrounding landscape accordingly. Any tree work near the Bluffs edge or on adjacent private property warrants a check of the RNFP mapping before proceeding.

Highland Creek valley cuts through the eastern part of Scarborough, from Markham Road through to Rouge Beach. Properties backing onto the valley system or near the creek tributaries frequently carry RNFP designations. This includes areas around Kingston Road, Lawrence Avenue East, and the Morningside corridor.

Rouge River corridor forms the eastern boundary of Scarborough and extends into Rouge National Urban Park. Properties along the Rouge or its tributaries share similar RNFP considerations as Highland Creek. The Rouge watershed has received particular attention from the city given its national park status downstream.

Chapter 813: Private Tree Bylaw

Chapter 813 applies to every private property in Toronto, including all of Scarborough. A tree requires a permit if its trunk measures 30 cm or more in diameter at 1.4 metres above ground. This measurement is called diameter at breast height, or DBH. See our guide to measuring DBH for the string method and a worked example.

The bylaw covers removal, injuring, and destruction of protected trees. Root cutting within a tree’s critical root zone, significant pruning, and construction activity that could damage a protected tree all fall under the bylaw’s reach.

Scarborough’s older housing stock means basement waterproofing, additions, and lot severances regularly bring homeowners into contact with Chapter 813. If a construction project will disturb soil within a certain radius of a protected tree, the permit requirement kicks in even if you are not planning to remove the tree.

Exemptions

The following situations do not require a permit under Chapter 813:

• Trees that pose an immediate hazard to people or structures (document the emergency and notify the city)
• Certain invasive species designated by the city
• Fruit trees in active agricultural use

When in doubt, confirm with the city before removing any tree over 30 cm.

Chapter 658: Ravine and Natural Feature Protection

Chapter 658 is the second layer of regulation, and in Scarborough it applies broadly along the Bluffs, Highland Creek, and Rouge corridors. Under RNFP rules, trees of any size are protected within designated areas. The size threshold that governs Chapter 813 does not apply here. A small ornamental tree in an RNFP zone needs a permit just as much as a large one.

RNFP permits cover removal, grading, filling, and construction that could affect the natural landscape. The process is typically more involved than a standard Chapter 813 application. City staff may conduct site visits and request documentation about potential impacts on the natural feature.

Properties in both Chapter 813 and RNFP zones need permits under both bylaws simultaneously. This is not uncommon for Scarborough properties near the Bluffs or Highland Creek.

How to Apply for a Tree Removal Permit

Step 1: Check What Applies to Your Property

Measure the tree’s diameter at breast height to determine whether Chapter 813 applies. Then use the city’s online mapping tools to check whether your property falls within an RNFP-designated area. Scarborough addresses work with the same City of Toronto mapping portal as any other Toronto address.

Step 2: Hire an ISA Certified Arborist

Toronto requires an arborist report prepared by an ISA Certified Arborist for most permit applications. The report should cover the tree’s species, size, health condition, and the reason for removal. If the removal relates to construction, the report should also address protection measures for nearby trees.

Step 3: Submit Your Application

Applications go to Toronto’s Urban Forestry department through the city’s online permit portal. Required documents include:

• Completed application form
• ISA Certified Arborist report
• Site plan showing tree locations
• Permit fee ($145.87 per tree for a standard residential removal not tied to construction; $436.39 per tree if the removal is part of a construction or development project)
• Photographs of the tree

RNFP applications may require additional documentation, including a landscape plan or environmental assessment.

Step 4: Await Review

Urban Forestry reviews the application and may conduct a site inspection. Toronto does not publish a standard review time on its current application guidance. Timing varies with application completeness, inspection needs, construction impacts, and ravine review. The city may approve the permit, deny it, or approve with conditions such as replanting requirements.

Fees and Processing

Under Chapter 813, the permit fee is $145.87 per tree for a standard residential removal not tied to construction, and $436.39 per tree where the removal is part of a construction or development project, as of the City’s 2026 fee schedule. Toronto adjusts these fees annually. RNFP applications have separate fee schedules. Review time varies with the application and the site. The city’s online portal accepts applications for Scarborough addresses the same as any other Toronto address.

Penalties for Unauthorized Removal

Removing a protected tree in Scarborough without a permit can result in fines from $500 to $100,000 per tree. The city’s forestry bylaw enforcement team investigates complaints, and Scarborough residents do file them. Beyond the fine, the city can require replanting at a ratio higher than what the original permit would have required, and in RNFP areas the consequences can be compounded.

Replanting Requirements

When a removal permit is approved, Toronto requires replacement plantings at 1 tree per 10 cm of DBH removed. A 50 cm tree requires 5 replacement trees. If the property cannot accommodate the required number, the city may accept cash-in-lieu at $583 per tree, though the city has become increasingly reluctant to accept this option when planting space exists on the lot.

Frequently Asked Questions

My Scarborough property backs onto Highland Creek. Do I need an RNFP permit in addition to a Chapter 813 permit?

Probably yes, if your property is within an RNFP-designated area. Check the city’s RNFP mapping tool first. Properties near Highland Creek valley are commonly flagged in Scarborough. If both bylaws apply, you need permits under both, though the city often reviews them together. The RNFP process involves a site inspection and may require additional environmental documentation. Given the stakes near a valley system, it is worth having an arborist assess the situation before starting any application.

Working with The Arborist Group

We prepare tree removal reports for Scarborough properties regularly, including sites near the Bluffs and Highland Creek where RNFP applications add complexity. We know what Toronto Urban Forestry staff look for in Scarborough applications, which reduces back-and-forth and keeps the review on track. If you are dealing with a mature tree near a ravine or sensitive area, contact us before filing to make sure the application is complete the first time.