Tree Removal City of Toronto Permits

What homeowners in Toronto, Durham, Kawartha Lakes, Muskoka, and beyond need to know

Tree Removal City of Toronto East York

If you live in the City of Toronto and need to remove a tree, you’ll likely need a permit, even if the tree is dead or hazardous. Toronto has some of the strictest tree protection rules in Canada, and failure to comply could result in a fine of up to $100,000 per tree. Here’s how to get it right, from permit applications to arborist reports.

How do I get a permit for tree removal?

City of Toronto & the GTA

If you’re planning to remove a tree in the City of Toronto or nearby areas, such as Markham, Pickering, or Vaughan, you’ll likely need a permit, even if the tree is dead or poses a danger. Here’s how the process works and how a certified arborist can help.

Know the Local Tree Rules

Every municipality in the GTA has its own tree protection by-laws. In Toronto, for example, you’ll need a permit to remove any tree on private property if the trunk is over 30 cm in diameter at chest height. Other areas, such as Oakville or Mississauga, may have different rules, fees, and replanting requirements.

Before taking any action, verify what applies to your location. Cutting down a tree without understanding these rules could lead to delays or even fines.

Get Advice from a Certified Arborist

A professional arborist can inspect the tree, assess its health, and tell you whether it meets the criteria for removal. In many cases, you’ll need an arborist’s report to support your application.

At Sarginson’s, we do this every day — and we can flag issues that might affect your chances of approval before you even apply.

Prepare and Submit Your Application

Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility, gather all the necessary documents for your permit application. Most cities will ask for the following:

Photos of the tree

A replanting or landscaping plan

A site plan or elevation drawings (especially for construction-related removals)

The arborist’s report

Any required fees

Make sure everything is complete before submitting it. Incomplete applications are often delayed or rejected outright.

City of Toronto

Markham

Vaughan

Richmond Hill

Oakville

Mississauga

Peterborough

Pickering

Whitby

Await Review and Possible Site Visit

After you apply, the city or municipality will review your documents. If anything’s missing or unclear, they’ll get in touch and may arrange a site visit to inspect the tree in person.

They’ll only grant a permit once they’re satisfied the removal meets legal and environmental criteria.

Don’t Start Work Until You Have the Permit

This one’s important: Don’t remove the tree until your permit is officially approved. Even if the tree looks hazardous or is interfering with your property, starting work too soon could result in serious penalties.

Do You Need a Permit for Tree Removal in the City of Toronto?

Tree removal city of Toronto

Yes — in almost all cases, you will need a permit for tree removal in the City of Toronto. Toronto’s tree protection laws are among the strictest in Ontario, and for good reason. The City of Toronto’s Municipal Code helps protect the urban canopy as part of its broader environmental and climate goals.

If you remove a tree without permission, even from your yard, you could face fines of up to $100,000 per tree.

Which Trees Require a Permit?

You’ll need a permit if:

The tree is on private property in Toronto

The trunk is 30 cm (12 inches) or more in diameter, measured at 1.4 metres above ground

This includes many mature shade trees in back gardens or front yards. Even pruning a protected tree may require permission, depending on the extent of the work.

Acceptable Reasons for Tree Removal in Toronto

Toronto won’t approve the removal of a healthy tree without an apparent reason. However, the city will consider a permit application if:

The tree is diseased or structurally unsafe

It poses a risk to a building or roof

You’re undertaking a permitted construction project

You have plans to relocate the tree safely

You’ll need to provide evidence, usually through a certified arborist’s report, to support your request.

Tree Removal Rules in Areas Outside the City of Toronto

Markham

In Markham, a permit is required to injure or remove any tree with a trunk diameter of 20 cm or more, measured at 1.37 metres above ground (also called DBH – Diameter at Breast Height). This applies to trees on private property. You’ll also need a permit to remove any endangered species or trees in conservation areas, regardless of size.

Vaughan

In Vaughan, permits are required for trees with a diameter of 20 cm or more, measured at the base of the trunk, which differs slightly from most cities that use DBH. The same rules apply to endangered species and city-owned trees. Fees are waived for trees that are dead, structurally unsafe, or infested with the Emerald Ash Borer.

Richmond Hill

Richmond Hill requires a permit to remove or injure any tree that measures 15 cm or more in diameter at breast height (DBH). Dead, dying, or hazardous trees are usually exempt, but you’ll still need approval for trees in conservation areas, endangered species, or city-owned land.

Oakville

In Oakville, any tree over 15 cm DBH requires a permit for removal. Additionally, the city requires one replacement tree for every 10 cm of trunk diameter removed. If the tree is an ash, buckthorn, or a hazardous species, the permit fee may be waived; however, the permit process still applies.

Mississauga

Mississauga requires permits for all trees over 15 cm DBH, even if the tree is dead or dangerous. The city also typically requires one replacement tree for every 15 cm of trunk diameter removed. Permit fees are waived in some cases; however, formal approval is still required before removing any protected tree.

Durham Region (Pickering & Whitby)

Across the Durham Region, permit rules vary depending on the location of the tree. The Regional Woodland Conservation Bylaw applies to lots that are:

Over 1 hectare in size

Within Sensitive Natural Areas

Pickering

You’ll need a permit to remove trees located in tree protection zones. If you’re outside these zones, the rules may be more relaxed.

Whitby

Most trees on standard residential lots don’t require a permit; however, larger properties, woodland parcels, or trees in protected zones may be subject to regulation. Whitby recommends checking with the Planning Department before starting any tree work.

Peterborough

Peterborough has one of the lowest thresholds in the region. A permit is required for any tree with a diameter of 7.5 cm or more (DBH) under Bylaw 21-074. That means even smaller trees can fall under permit rules, especially on new developments or environmentally sensitive sites.

Kawartha Lakes

Currently, no permit is required to remove trees on private property in Kawartha Lakes. However, this policy is currently under review, and the situation may change soon. We recommend documenting your removals and checking with the city before beginning any major work.

Not Sure If You Need a Permit?

Every city has its own rules, forms, fees, and replanting guidelines. If you’re planning tree work and aren’t sure what applies to your property, we can help.

Ask the Arborist about…

Tree removal City of Toronto, Durham Region, Kawartha Lakes, York Region, Peterborough & Northumberland County

Sarginson’s Tree Services works across all these regions. Our certified arborists are well-versed in the bylaws, and we can guide you through the permit process from start to finish, including reports, site plans, and safe removals.

Do you have any questions about tree removal or permits in your area? Call us on (905) 391-8454 — our ISA-certified arborists are here to help.

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Based in Oshawa, Sarginson’s Tree Services works across southern and central Ontario — including Toronto, Durham Region, Peterborough, Muskoka, Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, Northumberland and the surrounding communities.

We specialise in expert tree pruning, safe tree removal, and emergency storm damage response, with a focus on hazardous trees that pose a risk to your home, property, or safety. Whether you’re in the heart of the city or up at the cottage, our certified arborists are ready to help.

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Your Questions Answered

It is illegal to cut down a tree without a permit in Toronto, unless certain circumstances apply. There are fines of up to $100,000 per tree for removing a tree in Toronto City without a permit.

In many parts of Ontario you will need a permit before you can do any kind of tree work, and for tree removal even if the tree is dead, dying or dangerous. However, the specific rules vary from place to place so check with your municipal authority before undertaking any tree maintenance or removal and allow plenty of time to obtain the permit.

The rules on replacing trees vary from location to location, but in many areas you will need to include a planting plan showing how you will replace the tree as part of your application for a tree removal permit.

If the tree is an immediate hazard you do not need to obtain a permit first. However, you should notify the relevant municipal authority (in Toronto City this is Urban Forestry) and take photographs to justify your action, in case of a complaint. If the tree does not present an immediate danger you will need to apply for a permit under the normal regulations in your area.

Apply to your municipal authority. They all have slightly different procedures but application details are generally available on their websites. We have included links to these on this page. In many cases you will need to consult an arborist before you apply as you will need to include an arborist’s report as part of your application for a tree removal permit.