Construction
Construction Arborist Report
Tree preservation and protection plans prepared by an ISA Certified Arborist for municipal development review across the GTA.
If your construction project, addition, or site work falls within the regulated buffer of a protected tree, Toronto and most GTA municipalities will not issue a building permit without this report. It documents every tree on and adjacent to the site, defines protection zones, and says how each tree is protected for the whole build.
This report covers construction near protected trees
- Homeowners doing additions, rear extensions, or basement underpinning near trees
- Builders and developers constructing new homes or multi-unit residential projects
- Anyone installing underground services, driveways, pools, or retaining walls within a tree's protection zone
- Projects requiring excavation or grade changes close to protected trees
Some projects do not require this report
- Interior renovations with no exterior site disturbance
- Properties where no protected trees fall within the regulated setback of proposed work
- Projects focused on removing a tree rather than working around it (see Tree Removal Reports)
Send us the address and project scope, and we tell you within minutes whether you need this report. Ask us.
Missing reports delay permits and construction
Permit applications involving construction near protected trees are rejected until a report is submitted and approved by the city's Urban Forestry department.
Work started without required tree protection can trigger a municipal Stop Work Order that halts the affected activity until the cited issues are addressed.
Damage to a protected tree during construction can result in fines or court-ordered replacement compensation under the applicable tree bylaw, independent of whether a permit was ever sought.
The reporting process
Site Visit & Tree Inventory
Within 48 hours
An ISA Certified Arborist visits the site to assess all trees, measure protection zones, and document conditions relevant to your project.
Report Preparation
Within 2 business days
We prepare a full construction arborist report with tree protection plans, fencing specifications, and monitoring requirements specific to your municipality. Digital field measurements feed directly into AutoCAD drawings.
Permit Support
During municipal review
We address tree-related revision requests within the report scope. Construction supervision and site visits after approval are booked separately.
Recent report drawings
Every report comes with a full Tree Protection Plan drawn to scale. These are crops from recent ones.
What the report includes
Complete Tree Inventory
Species identification, diameter, health rating, structural condition, and tree protection zone calculations for all trees on and adjacent to the site.
Tree Protection Plan (separate drawing)
A formal site drawing issued alongside the report, mapping fence placement, protection zones, staging areas, and access routes. Contractors and city inspectors work from it on site.
Construction Impact Assessment
How the proposed construction may affect retained trees, with mitigation recommendations.
Monitoring & Maintenance Requirements
Required monitoring milestones and post-construction care measures. On-site supervision is a separate service.
Construction Specs & Addendums
Spec sheets for the site crew, with barrier installation details, horizontal protection specs, required signage and planting specifications.
Construction reports start at $550
Starting price. You pay when we deliver the report. Custom quotes based on project scope.
These factors set the final price
- Number of protected trees on and adjacent to the site
- Site complexity (topography, species mix, adjacent property trees)
- Municipality-specific drawing and plan requirements
- Expedited turnaround requests
Documented project
A Markham pool project received permission to continue
What Markham asked for
The file needed a complete tree inventory, revised tree protection distances, and drawings that matched the proposed pool work.
What we prepared
We prepared the construction arborist report, Tree Protection Plan, requested revisions, an access drawing update, and a retainer confirmation.
What happened
The City later accepted the installed barriers, allowed pool construction to continue, and issued the tree permit in April 2026.
Serving Toronto & the Greater Toronto Area
In York Region, the Regional Forest Conservation By-law covers woodlands of 1 hectare or more, and woodlots of 0.2 to 1 hectare where the town delegated them to the Region. Aurora, Newmarket and Vaughan regulate their own woodlots. In Durham Region, the Woodland By-law 30-2020 covers woodlands of 1 hectare or more. Near valleys, ravines and waterways, TRCA also reviews development.
Match your report to your permit drawings
Construction Arborist Report FAQ
What is a Construction Arborist Report?
A Construction Arborist Report is a document prepared by an ISA Certified Arborist that identifies all trees on or adjacent to a development site, assesses their condition, and outlines a tree protection and preservation plan. Toronto and Markham ask for a tree declaration with every building permit application, and Markham staff can require a Tree Assessment and Preservation Plan before a tree permit issues.
When do I need a Construction Arborist Report?
You need a Construction Arborist Report whenever your development or renovation project falls within the tree protection zone of a protected tree. This includes new builds, additions, grading changes, underground services, driveways, and swimming pools. Toronto and Markham require a tree declaration with the building permit application, and the report supports any tree permit the project needs.
How is a Construction Arborist Report different from a Tree Removal Report?
A Tree Removal Report supports an application to remove specific trees. A Construction Arborist Report focuses on preserving trees during construction. It includes a full site inventory, tree protection plans, and arborist monitoring requirements. If the project removes some trees and builds near others, you need both.
What is included in the report?
Our Construction Arborist Reports include a complete tree inventory with species, size, health and structural condition, a site plan showing tree protection zones, tree protection fencing specifications, a construction impact assessment, and a monitoring and maintenance plan for the duration of construction.
How long does it take to get the report?
We offer same-day or next-day site visits, with the completed report delivered within 2 business days of the site visit, guaranteed, or the report is free.
Will the city accept this report?
An ISA Certified Arborist writes ours to the city's published requirements. If the city asks for tree-related revisions, we make them as part of the report.
What is a Tree Protection Zone?
A Tree Protection Zone (TPZ) is a buffer area established around each tree that must remain undisturbed throughout construction. No excavation, material storage, equipment, or grade changes are permitted inside it. Toronto sets it by trunk diameter: 2.4 m for a 30 to 40 cm tree, rising in steps to 6.0 m for a 91 to 100 cm tree. Other cities use their own tables. Our report defines the TPZ for every protected tree on your site and maps them on the accompanying Tree Protection Plan.
What does the Tree Protection Plan include?
The Tree Protection Plan is a separate formal drawing that accompanies the written report. It shows exact fence placement, protection zones, staging areas, and access routes drawn to scale. It also includes spec addendums (installation details for barriers and signage) that contractors and city inspectors use during the build. The city requires this plan as part of the permit package.
Do you provide ongoing arborist monitoring during construction?
Yes. Construction supervision is a separate service from the report. If your permit or approved plan requires an arborist during excavation, demolition, root work, or other milestones, book supervision before the crew starts.
What municipalities do you serve?
We serve the entire Greater Toronto Area including Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Markham, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Brampton, Burlington, Hamilton, Pickering, Caledon, King, Durham Region, and York Region.
Contact us or call (647) 479-8778 with any other question.
Past clients get a returning client rate.
From the report to the full construction scope
Send your tender package, forms and deadline. We identify the arborist requirements and complete the relevant pricing schedules and response documents. We then deliver the agreed report, protection fencing, root work, supervision and closeout records. Each service has its own scope and price.
View arborist tender submissions and quotesRelated Services
Construction Supervision
On-site arborist attendance for excavation, demolition, root work, and permit milestones after approval.
Learn More →Tree Protection & Fencing
On-site tree protection fencing installation and documentation for construction zones.
Learn More →Root Pruning & Excavation
Root pruning and air-spade digging near protected trees for construction and landscaping.
Learn More →Get a quote
Tell us about your property. An ISA Certified Arborist will reply with a firm quote.
- Free consultation, response within 24 hours.
- Report delivered in 2 business days, written to your municipality's requirements.
- We do not sell tree removal.
Serving Toronto, the GTA and Southern Ontario.
ISA Certified Arborist · ISA Member · ISA Ontario Member