Does Whitby need a permit to remove a tree on a private lot?

The Town's guide says individual trees on private property are generally not regulated, and that no Town permit is needed where the area of trees is less than 0.2 hectares, across one property or several. A Town Tree Removal Permit is needed for trees in woodlots of 0.2 to 1.0 hectares; on Major Open Space or Hazard Land, Environmental Protection or Conservation lands, including Greenbelt and Oak Ridges Moraine lands, and Mature Woodlands or Environmentally Sensitive Areas shown on the Official Plan's schedules; for a tree identified on an approved Tree Preservation Plan; on Residential lands of 2.02 hectares or more; and in a designated heritage district, where the Town's page names the Werden's Plan and Brooklin Heritage Conservation Districts.

Durham Region's Woodland By-law 30-2020 applies to woodlands of one hectare or more, with Good Forestry Practices permits for selective removal and Clear Cutting permits, and the Town's Clean Community By-law bars injuring or removing trees on Town property, street and park trees included. A rule summary says which by-law covers which land; it doesn't say who owns a given tree or whether a stand of trees meets a woodlot definition.

• Tree Policies and By-laws: the Town's page on when a private tree removal permit is needed
• Tree Protection By-laws and Tree Removal Permits: the Town's guide to its by-law and the Region's (PDF)
• Tree Protection By-law 4640-00: the by-law (PDF)
• Regional Woodland By-law 30-2020: Durham Region's by-law, with the woodland definition and permits

Tree and ravine limits is in the free check as a summary of the Town's rule, from our hand-kept table, with a link to the Town's page. It is a rule for the town, not a survey of the trees on a lot.

Free check: pick “Tree and ravine limits” See the sample report