Home records, explained › The home and the lot
Which trees need a City permit to remove?
Most Ontario cities have a by-law that protects private trees above a set trunk size, and a separate rule for trees on City land in front of the lot. Our hand-kept table summarises the by-law for 16 cities, with the by-law number and the date we read it.
Report check: Trees on and near the lot. Entry reviewed 20 Oct 2026; each source below shows its own data date.
How a report shows itsample, made-up home
Trees on and near the lotFacts
2 City-owned trees in front of the lot. Tree canopy covers 34% of the land within 100 m.
- Norway maple
- 48 cm trunk, boulevard
- Honey locust
- 22 cm trunk, boulevard
- Tree canopy within 100 m
- 34%
Where we read it
- 49 municipalities' rules
- Elsewhere: where to look
the town's own records– not in our reports there yet
Free checkreads it
Full reportevery report
DealbreakerTree and ravine limits
Published byEach municipality's by-law
The trunk size that needs a permit
The trunk across, measured about 1.4 m up, at which a private tree on an ordinary lot needs the town's permit, as each town's tree line puts it. Circles are drawn to scale. Some towns add conditions (lot size, the urban area); each town's page has the full line.
- 7.5 cm
- 15 cm
- 20 cm
- 30 cm
- 50 cm
Other rules (the permit turns on more than the trunk, such as the lot's size, a woodland or a mapped area, or there is none for a private tree on an ordinary lot): Ajax, Aurora, Barrie, Bradford West Gwillimbury, Brantford, Brockville, Clarington, Collingwood, Grimsby, Halton Hills, Hamilton, Innisfil, Kawartha Lakes, King, Kingston, Kitchener, LaSalle, Milton, Niagara Falls, Norfolk County, Orillia, Oshawa, Pickering, St. Catharines, Waterloo, Welland, Whitby, Whitchurch-Stouffville, Windsor, Woodstock.
What the record is
The usual rule is a permit to injure or remove a tree of 30 cm diameter or more at breast height, with replacement planting or a payment as a condition; the threshold, the exemptions and the lots it applies to differ by city, and some cities (Hamilton outside its former suburbs) have no private-tree by-law.
The report line gives the city's rule from our table. The by-law itself is the authoritative text; the line links it.
Where it runs
The municipal rule comes from our hand-kept tables, read from each municipality's own by-law or published page, for the 49 municipalities listed below. For a home anywhere else: We don't have the municipality's tree by-law summarised yet. The by-law, on the municipal website, says which trees need a permit to remove. List of Ontario municipalities
Tree by-laws, city by city
Which private trees need a City permit to remove.
| Municipality | Rule | Record |
|---|---|---|
| Ajax | a Town permit is needed to injure or destroy a tree on parks, Greenbelt and Environmental Protection lands and land zoned Private Open Space, with replanting or cash in lieu; boulevard trees are protected by By-law 65-2021, and Durham Region By-law 30-2020 requires a permit for trees in woodlands of 1 hectare or more | by-law 137-2006 Read by us 29 Oct 2026 |
| Aurora | a Town permit, decided by Council, is needed to remove more than two trees over 20 cm in diameter (at about 1.4 m) in 12 months, or two per 0.25 ha on larger lots, and for any heritage tree or tree in a heritage district; a permit is valid for one year | by-law 5850-16 Read by us 29 Oct 2026 |
| Barrie | a permit is needed to injure or remove trees in a forested area of half an acre or more, and the City says no permit is issued where it would injure or destroy endangered species or heritage trees; it states a typical residential lot doesn't need a permit unless it's part of a development application | by-law 2014-115 Read by us 29 Oct 2026 |
| Bradford West Gwillimbury | the Town has a 2019 tree canopy policy and is studying a by-law for private trees; woodlands on a property of one hectare or more need a County of Simcoe permit under its Forest Conservation By-law 6894 | by-law 6894 (County of Simcoe) Read by us 29 Oct 2026 |
| Brampton | a City permit is needed to injure or destroy a private tree 30 cm or more in diameter at 1.37 m above ground, unless it stands within 2 m of an occupied building; permits may require replacement trees | by-law 317-2012 Read by us 6 Oct 2026 |
| Brantford | a City permit with an arborist report is needed to injure or destroy trees of any size in woodlots of 1 acre or more and in Core Natural Areas, trees of protected species, and trees on land with a pending subdivision or condominium application; 3 to 10 replacement trees by trunk diameter, or a payment to the Tree Replacement Fund | by-law 95-2024 Read by us 29 Oct 2026 |
| Brockville | the City's by-law covers trees on City property, which need the Parks Supervisor's permission to prune or remove, and sets no permit for removing a tree on a private lot; owners must prune trees overhanging streets (4.5 m clear above the road, 3.0 m above the sidewalk) and remove dead or dangerous trees that threaten public safety, and the City can order a hazardous dead or diseased private tree removed within 90 days | by-law 055-2021 Read by us 29 Oct 2026 |
| Caledon | a Town permit is needed to injure or remove a private tree 30 cm or more in diameter at 1.37 m outside woodlands, with replacement trees and securities (no application fee as of January 2026); dead and hazardous trees are exempt, and trees in woodlands fall under the Woodland Conservation By-law 2000-100 | by-law 2025-101 Read by us 29 Oct 2026 |
| Cambridge | a City permit is needed to remove or injure 1 to 9 private trees 20 cm or more in diameter at 1.4 m above ground (10 or more need a site alteration permit); each removal requires 1 to 4 replacement trees by size, or cash-in-lieu of $607 + HST per tree | by-law 23-105 Read by us 6 Oct 2026 |
| Clarington | the Municipality's page says By-law 97-35 regulates the destruction of trees, and Durham Region By-law 30-2020 requires a permit to injure or destroy trees in a woodland of 1 hectare or more; boulevard and park trees are removed or trimmed by the Municipality | by-law 97-35 Read by us 29 Oct 2026 |
| Collingwood | the Town has no private tree by-law and says it is exploring urban forestry by-laws; woodlands on a property of one hectare or more need a County of Simcoe permit under its Forest Conservation By-law 6894 | County of Simcoe 6894 Read by us 29 Oct 2026 |
| East Gwillimbury | a Town permit is needed to injure or destroy a private tree 20 cm or more in diameter at 1.37 m; up to three live, healthy trees of 30 cm or less a year, dead, diseased, hazard and invasive trees are exempt; woodlands and woodlots of 0.2 ha or more fall under York Region's Forest Conservation By-law | by-law 2024-077 Read by us 29 Oct 2026 |
| Fort Erie | a Town permit is needed to injure or remove a private tree 30 cm or more in diameter at 1.37 m inside the urban boundary, a tree over 10 cm in the Natural Heritage System, a designated heritage tree, or a tree of any size on land with a pending planning application; woodlands of one hectare or more fall under Niagara Region's Woodland Conservation By-law | by-law 27-2026 Read by us 29 Oct 2026 |
| Grimsby | the Town's by-law covers trees on or affecting public property; on private land, Niagara Region's Woodland Conservation By-law needs a permit or exemption to injure or destroy trees in a woodland, including woodlands under one hectare, which the Town delegated to the Region | by-law 2020-79 Read by us 29 Oct 2026 |
| Guelph | a City permit is needed to injure or remove a tree 30 cm or more in diameter at 1.4 m above ground on lots of 0.2 ha or less (10 cm or more on larger lots); one replacement tree per 15 cm of diameter removed may be required | by-law (2025)-21059 Read by us 6 Oct 2026 |
| Halton Hills | Halton Region's Tree By-law covers properties with part of a woodland over 0.5 ha or within the Regional Natural Heritage System: harvesting more than 24 m³ of wood a year needs a permit, and harvesting outside good forestry practices a Special Council Permit ($500); dead or diseased trees are exempt; the Region's page names no private tree by-law for Halton Hills | Halton Region 121-05 Read by us 29 Oct 2026 |
| Hamilton | the City says no private tree by-law applies in the former City of Hamilton; older Ancaster (2000-118), Dundas (4513-99) and Stoney Creek (4401-96) by-laws regulate some private trees in those communities, and a city-wide private tree by-law (45 cm) has been proposed but not passed | the municipality's by-law Read by us 6 Oct 2026 |
| Innisfil | the Town's approval is needed to cut trees on land under site plan control, including waterfront homes, and a community planning permit for tree removal on residential lots fronting Lake Simcoe or in Alcona; woodlands on a property of one hectare or more need a County of Simcoe permit under its Forest Conservation By-law 6894 | by-law 058-25 Read by us 29 Oct 2026 |
| Kawartha Lakes | the City Tree Canopy Preservation By-law needs a permit to damage or remove a City-owned tree, including on road allowances, shoreline road allowances and water access blocks; it applies only to City-owned property | the municipality's by-law Read by us 29 Oct 2026 |
| King | the Township has no tree preservation by-law for private property, and removing a single tree outside a woodlot or woodland needs no permit; trees on Township land are protected by By-law 73-54, and York Region's Forest Conservation By-law 2013-68 requires a Regional permit to injure or remove trees in woodlands and in treed areas over 0.2 ha | York Region 2013-68 Read by us 29 Oct 2026 |
| Kingston | trees 15 cm or wider at 1.37 m and listed distinctive species need a permit, but most urban residential lots are exempt unless the tree is in an environmental protection area or significant woodland; permits can require replacement or compensation | by-law 2018-15 Read by us 6 Oct 2026 |
| Kitchener | a City tree conservation permit is needed to remove a tree 10 cm or more in diameter at 1.37 m above ground only on lots of 0.405 ha (1 acre) or more; trees within 5 m of an occupied building are exempt | Municipal Code Chapter 692 Read by us 6 Oct 2026 |
| LaSalle | the Town states that it does not deal with trees on private property; trees on Town property are handled by its Public Works Department | the municipality's by-law Read by us 29 Oct 2026 |
| Lincoln | a Town permit or exemption letter is needed to injure or remove a private tree 15 cm or more in diameter at 1.37 m in the Urban Area, or a tree of any size in a Natural Environment Area or on land with a pending planning application; non-exempt trees cost $50 each for individuals, with replanting or $250 per tree in lieu; heritage trees are covered too | by-law 2025-40 Read by us 29 Oct 2026 |
| London | a permit is needed to injure or remove a private tree 50 cm or wider (measured 1.4 m up) inside the urban growth boundary, or any tree in a mapped tree protection area; permits require replacement planting or $350 per tree not planted | C.P.-1555-252 Read by us 6 Oct 2026 |
| Markham | a City permit is needed to injure or remove a private tree 20 cm or more in diameter at 1.37 m, whatever its health; a $20.50 processing fee per application since 16 January 2026, with replanting or cash in lieu possible except for dead, dying or hazard trees; woodlands are left to York Region's by-law | by-law 2023-164 Read by us 29 Oct 2026 |
| Milton | the Town's page names no Town permit for a private tree; Halton Region's Tree By-law 121-05 applies to properties with a woodland over 0.5 ha or in the Regional Greenlands, allowing 24 m³ of wood a year for the owner's use and needing a permit beyond that; dead or diseased trees are exempt | Halton Region 121-05 Read by us 29 Oct 2026 |
| Mississauga | a City permit is needed to injure or remove any private tree 15 cm or more in diameter at 1.4 m above grade, including dead or dying trees; one replacement tree is required for every 15 cm of diameter removed | by-law 0021-2022 Read by us 6 Oct 2026 |
| New Tecumseth | a Town permit is needed to injure or remove a protected tree: a Town tree, a designated significant or heritage tree, or a tree 20 cm or more at 1.4 m that is part of a development; woodlands on a property of one hectare or more need a County of Simcoe permit under its Forest Conservation By-law 6894 | by-law 2022-063 Read by us 29 Oct 2026 |
| Newmarket | a Town permit is needed to injure or remove a private tree 20 cm or more in diameter at 1.4 m, including dead ones; fees start at $100 plus $116.50 per tree, with replanting or $300 per tree in lieu; heritage trees need approval under the Ontario Heritage Act | by-law 2022-10 Read by us 6 Oct 2026 |
| Niagara Falls | the City's by-law covers trees on municipal property; on private land, Niagara Region's Woodland Conservation By-law needs a permit or exemption to injure or destroy trees in a woodland, including woodlands under one hectare, which the City delegated to the Region | by-law 2020-79 Read by us 29 Oct 2026 |
| Norfolk County | the County's Forestry By-law regulates injuring or destroying trees in woodlands of 1 ha or more through harvest and exemption permits; properties of 1 ha or less, dead trees and listed exotic species are exempt | by-law 2022-98 Read by us 29 Oct 2026 |
| Oakville | a Town permit and site visit are needed to remove a private tree 15 cm or more in diameter at 1.37 m; healthy trees removed must be replaced; 2026 fees start at $65 a tree; woodlands and greenlands fall under Halton Region's Tree By-law 121-05 instead | by-law 2017-038 Read by us 29 Oct 2026 |
| Orillia | a City permit, with an arborist report, is needed to injure or remove a tree over 5 cm in diameter at breast height on a property larger than 0.5 hectare; lots of 0.5 hectare or less are exempt, as are dead or hazardous trees certified by an arborist and ash trees infected with emerald ash borer | Municipal Code Chapter 370 Read by us 29 Oct 2026 |
| Oshawa | the City's by-law covers trees on City property; Durham Region By-law 30-2020 requires a permit to clear-cut woodland of 1 hectare or more, and the City has no other private-tree rule on its trees page | the municipality's by-law Read by us 6 Oct 2026 |
| Ottawa | in the urban area, a City permit is needed to remove a private tree 30 cm or more in diameter at breast height on a lot of 1 hectare or less (larger lots are handled by the City's planning foresters); no private-tree permit is required in the rural area | by-law 2020-340 Read by us 6 Oct 2026 |
| Peterborough | a City permit is needed to remove a privately owned tree 7.5 cm or more in diameter at 1.37 m; a $15 application fee (up to five trees) plus a $150 permit fee ($50 through a licensed tree service provider) for a healthy tree of 15 cm or more, with one replacement tree or $550 per healthy tree removed; woodlands fall under By-law 17-121 | by-law 21-074 Read by us 29 Oct 2026 |
| Pickering | a City permit ($155) is needed to remove any tree in the tree protection areas mapped on Schedule A, which mostly follow watercourses and green spaces, including dead or dangerous trees (no charge with a certified arborist's report); trees outside those areas need no permit | by-law 8073/24 Read by us 29 Oct 2026 |
| Richmond Hill | a City permit is needed to injure or remove a tree wider than 15 cm at 1.4 m, including dead or hazardous trees; the fee is $314 + HST for the first tree, with 1 to 7 replacement trees or $945 each; woodlands under York Region's by-law are handled by the Region | by-law 19-25 Read by us 6 Oct 2026 |
| St. Catharines | the City's by-law covers trees on City property; on private land, Niagara Region's Woodland Conservation By-law needs a permit or exemption to injure or destroy trees in a woodland, including woodlands under one hectare, which the City delegated to the Region | by-law 2020-79 Read by us 29 Oct 2026 |
| St. Thomas | a City permit is needed to injure or destroy a private tree over 30 cm in diameter at 1.37 m, including dead ones, or to clear a woodlot; application fees from $100, waived for dead, diseased or hazard trees; 1 to 4 replacement trees by size or $400 each in lieu | by-law 101-2021 Read by us 29 Oct 2026 |
| Stratford | a City permit, with an arborist report, is needed to injure or remove a private tree 30 cm or more in diameter at 1.37 m; application fee $100 for fewer than 10 trees and $250 for more, none for dead, diseased or hazardous trees; replacement trees or $400 to $1,600 per tree by size; a permit lapses when the owner changes | by-law 86-2020 Read by us 29 Oct 2026 |
| Toronto | a City permit is needed to injure or remove a private tree 30 cm or more in diameter at 1.4 m above ground; permits require replacement planting or cash-in-lieu ($583 per tree), and since 1 Sept 2026 trees over 61 cm are a separate distinctive tree category | Municipal Code Chapter 813 Read by us 6 Oct 2026 |
| Waterloo | the City's tree by-law (2014-078) protects trees on City property, and the City states that trees on private property are the owner's responsibility | the municipality's by-law Read by us 6 Oct 2026 |
| Welland | the City says no permit is needed to remove a tree on one's own property; Niagara Region's Woodland Conservation By-law needs a permit or exemption to injure or destroy trees in a woodland of one hectare or more | by-law 2020-79 Read by us 29 Oct 2026 |
| Whitby | a Town permit is needed to remove private trees in woodlots of 0.2 to 1.0 hectares, on Official Plan open space, hazard, environmental, Greenbelt and Oak Ridges Moraine lands, on residential lands of 2.02 hectares or more and in heritage districts; single trees elsewhere are generally not regulated, and Durham Region By-law 30-2020 covers woodlands of 1 hectare or more | by-law 4640-00 Read by us 29 Oct 2026 |
| Whitchurch-Stouffville | applies through site plan, subdivision and consent applications: a mature tree, a private tree 30 cm or more in diameter in a settlement area, may be removed only with Town approval and compensation (relocation, replacement trees or cash in lieu); private trees of 10 cm or more go on the landscape plans; heritage trees may not be removed | by-law 2023-060-RE Read by us 29 Oct 2026 |
| Windsor | the City states that no by-law regulates tree management or removal on private property in Windsor; trees in public places, such as streets and City parks, are protected by By-law 135-2004 | by-law 135-2004 Read by us 29 Oct 2026 |
| Woodstock | a City permit is needed to remove or injure living trees in woodlands of 1 ha or more, on land with a pending development application, in the County Official Plan's environmental protection and open space areas, in EP, OS, commercial, industrial, NI, CF and FD zones and on lots listed in Schedule A; the City says trees on residential land it does not own need no permit | by-law 9530-22 (Municipal Code ch. 763) Read by us 29 Oct 2026 |
Summarised by OfferDue from each municipality's own by-law or published page on the date shown. The by-law or rate schedule is the authoritative text.
Sources
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Public-record information, not legal, financial, insurance or inspection advice. Records change and can be incomplete, and this page describes the records, not any particular home. Spotted an error, or have a question about this record? Email [email protected]; we answer from the record, and corrections are listed on the guide index. What we cover, city by city.