Sarginsons Tree Removal Service

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

Emergency fallen tree removal North York

How do I get a permit for tree removal?

City of Toronto & the GTA

1. Check what rules apply to you

First, check the rules that apply to your area. Different parts of Toronto and other municipalities have their own tree by-laws. They  may also have different rules on replanting, whether a fee is payable and the level of fees.

2. Consult an arborist

An arborist can advise on the health or safety of the tree and provide an arborist’s report if your application needs one.

3. Prepare your application

After this, get everything you need for the application together and check that the application is complete before you submit it. This is important as the authorities may not process incomplete applications.  You will also need photos, a replanting plan and elevations and a site plan if you are removing the tree for construction works. Pay any fees at this stage. You can find the requirements and application forms for each of the different areas via the links below.

City of Toronto

Markham

Vaughan

Richmond Hill

Oakville

Mississauga

Peterborough

Pickering

Whitby

4. Further information and/or site visit

Submit your application and all the supporting documents to the address given on the application form. Local areas will have slightly different timescales and processes but in general, they will get in touch with you if anything further is needed and arrange a site visit. They will consider your application and will see if it meets the legal requirements for tree removal and only then will they grant you a permit.

5. Wait for your permit before starting any tree work

Do not carry out any tree removal before you have received the permit and leave plenty of time to get your permit before planning tree removal work.

Do you need a permit for tree removal in the City of Toronto ?

Tree removal city of Toronto

 The Municipal Code protects trees in Toronto so you will need a permit for City of Toronto tree removal. In order to protect the natural environment and as part of the efforts against climate change, the City of Toronto has strict rules about tree work. It requires you to get a permit to cut down or injure any tree with a trunk diameter of 12 inches at a height of 4.5 feet. You will also need an acceptable reason for cutting down the tree before they will grant a permit. Acceptable reasons are construction work, risk of structural damage to roofs or buildings, diseased or dangerous trees or that you have plans to safely relocate the tree. You will not get a permit to remove a healthy tree if you don’t have a legitimate reason to do so. You can find more details about permissible reasons here. 

Rules on tree removal, City of Toronto

You will need to get a permit to injure a tree or for tree removal in the City of Toronto for trees on private property if they have a trunk diameter of 30cm or more. This is measured at a height of 1.4 meters. You will need an arborist report to apply for your permit. There is an application fee. You will also need a planting plan to replace the tree (possibly with more than one tree). You may remove dead trees or trees that are an immediate danger without a permit if Toronto Forestry have authorised this. Different rules apply to commercial enterprises such as developers or housebuilders. Pruning or removal of ANY tree on city property requires a permit. This work must be carried out by an authorised contractor. Many trees in front yards are classified as city trees because they are growing on the road allowance. In most cases, these are trees that are maintained by the City of Toronto.

What about areas outside the City of Toronto? Will I need a permit for tree removal?