Private Tree By-law

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Due to high volumes of private tree requests, site visits are being scheduled up to 3 weeks from the date of submission. We appreciate your patience as we process applications as quickly as possible.

The Private Tree Bylaw is Now in Effect

Urban Forest Protection:

The Urban Forest is made up of hundreds of thousands of trees throughout the City, located along City streets and parks, woodlots as well as trees located on private property. The Urban Forest provides countless benefits to a community, including cooling the local environment, reducing the urban heat island effect, storing rainwater, cleaning the air, providing a home for wildlife and improving mental health.

As a community resource, we all have a role to play in protecting and maintaining this resource well into the future.

Private Tree Protection Bylaw:

As of Jan. 27, 2020 if you live within the Urban Boundary, you will need to apply for a permit and on-site consultation to remove a tree 20 cm in diameter (8”) or greater measured at 1.4 m from the ground, or more than five trees between 10 and 20 cm (4-8”) measured at 1.4 m above the ground in a calendar year. Heritage trees and endangered species are also protected.

Click here to read the full Private Tree Bylaw

Public Information Sessions

Information sessions are now complete. Thank you to those who came out to learn more and ask questions.

The presentation can be found here.

Urban Boundary Map

Green area above black dotted line is outside of the urban boundaries.

An interactive map can be found here.

Urban Boundary Map

Any activity that may damage or injure a tree on private property must have a permit. This includes (but is not limited to):

Landscaping (includes pools, decks, fences, patios, retaining walls, raised garden beds, driveways)
Home or property renovations
Demolition, construction, or replacement of buildings on the property
Altering grade by adding or removing soil or fill, excavating, trenching, topsoil or fill scraping, compacting soil or fill, dumping or disturbance of any kind
Temporary storage of construction materials
Excavating for access of underground utilities

Do I need a Private Tree Removal Permit?

Yes

Removing a tree 20 cm in diameter or greater, measured at 1.4 m from the ground

Removing more than 5 trees between 10 and 20 cm, measured at 1.4 m from the ground

Any size of tree that is a designated Heritage Tree*

Any size of endangered, at risk, or threatened tree species*

If the tree is dead**

If the tree is terminally diseased**

If the tree is within 2 m of an occupied dwelling**

Online Application

Removing trees less than 20 cm in diameter (no more than 4 per year)

Tree maintenance (pruning)

For emergency work, such as utility repairs

Trees at high-risk of injuring a person or damaging property

If the tree is located in a nursery or orchard

If the tree is an invasive species

* Additional permits and regulations apply

**Permit required; fees and compensation are waived.

How the Bylaw Works

When you’re ready to start your project, follow these nine easy steps:

Complete the online application form. For faster service, remember to submit a copy of your arborist report, preservation plan and replanting plan.
Within 5 business days, a Forestry staff member will arrange an on-site visit with you or your arborist to discuss the project scope and verify that all required plans and reports have been submitted.
Complete plan submissions will be approved by Forestry staff. Any plan changes can be resubmitted to Forestry via email at forestrypermits@burlington.ca.
Installation of tree protection measures as shown on the plan can be completed. When done, contact Forestry for a site verification, or submit photos via email, forestrypermits@burlington.ca.
When hoarding is approved, Forestry will confirm the details of your permit. This document details any permit conditions, as well as permit fees, compensation for tree loss and securities if applicable.
With your tree permit in hand, you can now start your project. At some points throughout the project, Forestry staff will stop by to see how you’re doing and may provide recommendations to repair any damaged fencing or tree impacts. We’re here to help.
Once you’re finished your project, notify the Forestry section. Someone will visit your site to ensure that the permit conditions have been met, and if so, you may remove your tree protection fencing. If deficiencies are found, they will need to be fixed before you can remove your fencing.
With your fencing removed, your permit is now closed, and your project complete, you can enjoy your new house, pool or landscape knowing that you’ve played an important role in preservation the City’s valuable urban forest.
You can pick up and pay for your permit at two locations:

City Hall, Service Burlington Counter

426 Brant St.

905-335-7600

Roads Parks & Forestry Operations Centre

3330 Harvester Rd.

905-333-6166

Your Application

The bylaw requires applicants to submit an application to the Manager of Urban Forestry or their designate with the following information:

A Tree Protection Plan and Arborist report acceptable to the Manager of Urban Forestry or designate, identifying the trees to be injured or destroyed, and including size, species, condition and location; the trees to be kept; and measures to be taken for the preservation of remaining trees on the site. Download the Tree Inventory and Compensation Form.
A proposed tree replacement planting plan showing the size and location of all proposed trees.
Confirmation that tree protection fencing around City trees is done in accordance with the City’s Standard Specification for Tree Protection and Preservation.
Project scope, including but not limited to, an explanation of proposed demolition (if applicable), construction, equipment used, timing, detailed explanations of any applicable work within tree preservation zones.
A schedule of proposed site inspections to be completed by the project arborist.
*Boundary trees located within three metres on both sides of a mutual lot line require a letter of agreement signed by the adjacent neighbor(s); or documentation from the Project Arborist that the proposed work will not negatively impact the tree in question.
Any additional relevant information.

Online Application

Fees

Tree Permit, Development Related Application: $680/property

Tree Permit, Non-Development Related Application: $390/property

Cash-in-Lieu of Replacement Compensation (Cash in Lieu): $400/tree

Private Tree Bylaw Contravention Fee: $680/tree

Replacement Trees and Costs

Trees that are injured or removed under the provisions of a tree permit will need to be replaced using the City’s method of calculation. The tree's size, measured as diameter at 1.4 m above ground, as well as the overall condition rating will impact the total number of cm required to be replaced. Generally, one replacement tree is required for every 10 cm diameter removed.

Download the Tree Inventory and Compensation Form.

If there is no room for the replacement trees, there will be a charge of $400 per replacement tree. This money will be used toward the Private Tree Incentive Program where private homeowners will be encouraged to plant trees on their property.

Links

Private Tree Bylaw

RPF-15-19: City-wide Private Tree Bylaw Implementation

RPF-18-19: City-wide Private Tree Bylaw Implementation

RPF-05-20: Urban Private Tree Bylaw Implementation

City of Burlington Standard Specification for Tree Protection and Preservation

Contact Us:

For any inquiries about the Private Tree Bylaw, please contact Roads, Parks, & Forestry at 905-333-6166, or via email at forestrypermits@burlington.ca.