Tree Removal Reports in Oakville

Any tree with a trunk diameter of 15 cm or more at breast height (about 1.4 m above ground) is protected under By-law 2017-038. That's a relatively small tree, so most established trees on private property in Oakville will require a permit before removal.

The town charges $65 for the first tree (15 to 24 cm diameter), $425 for each additional or larger tree, and $900 for development-related applications. Dead, ash, and buckthorn trees are exempt from fees. You also need a $300 refundable security deposit per replacement tree.

Oakville maintains a registry of heritage trees: specimens identified as having exceptional size, age, species rarity, or community significance. Heritage trees receive additional protections under the bylaw, and removal applications face closer scrutiny. Our arborist report identifies whether any trees on your property carry a heritage designation.

Properties near Bronte Creek, Sixteen Mile Creek, and the lakefront may be subject to additional environmental protections from Conservation Halton, separate from the town's tree bylaw. If your property is near a watercourse or in an environmentally sensitive area, additional permits may be required. We identify these during our site visit.

Oakville requires replanting at a ratio of 1 replacement tree per 10 cm of trunk diameter removed. So a 30 cm tree means 3 replacement trees. A $300 refundable deposit is collected for each replacement tree and returned after the town confirms the trees were planted. If replanting isn't possible on site, cash-in-lieu options may be available.

Fines for unauthorized tree removal in Oakville range from $300 to over $10,000 depending on the number and size of trees involved. Heritage tree violations carry stiffer penalties. The town can also require replacement planting and withhold building permits on properties with outstanding tree bylaw violations.