Parks Design and Construction

1. Contains legible drawings on 24 X 36.
2. Drawn to a metric scale of 1:100, 1:200, 1:250 or 1:300, and include a scale bar.
3. Drawing stamped and signed by a qualified member of the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects.
4. Identifies the location and general design intent of the proposed plantings and amenity areas.
5. Shows location and dimensions of pedestrian walkways and crossings. Include dimensions from open doors if doors open out onto walkways.
6. Identifies minimum required soil volumes, and location of any structural soil cell installation areas to achieve minimum soil volumes (30m³ of soil per tree in a single tree pit, 15m³ per tree in a shared planting environment. Excavation for each planting environment should be 0.75m to 1.2m depth and should not exceed 1.5m depth).
7. Identifies the location, type, and height of proposed fencing.
8. Identifies snow storage and bicycle parking areas.
9. Identifies the location of air vents/shafts.
10. Identifies property lines, easements, regulated areas, impermeable surfaces (including curbs, roads, driveways, sidewalks, etc.), buildings and entrances, landscaped beds, lawns or other permeable surface areas, other information as needed.
11. Identifies the location of all underground, at grade and overhead utilities with the connection to the proposed or existing building (if applicable). These utilities include water, stormwater, sanitary, hydro, cable, and gas.
12. Identifies the location of any stormwater management infrastructure, including swales, sub-drains, catch basins, pipes, and other quality and quantity controls as required.
13. Is coordinated with the Site Plan, Grading and Servicing Drawings, Planning Justification Report, Noise Study, Wind Study, and shows any recommended mitigation measures (i.e., buffer planting, screening, fencing) conceptually on the Landscape Concept Plans.

1. The address of the subject lot.
2. The author, contact information, and relevant qualifications (e.g., ISA, RPF) with certification number.
3. The date(s) that the assessment was conducted, methodology and limitations; ensure assessments were completed within the last year (365 days). Where reports are revised, include the revised report number and date.
4. An overview of the proposed work and explain what arboricultural work is to be undertaken for each tree(s) (e.g., tree to be injured, tree to be destroyed (removed), tree to be fully preserved and protected).
5. The description for tree species, size, condition and ownership for those that are 10cm DBH or greater on the subject lot and within 6m of the subject lot, inclusive of public property.
6. Where applicable, the specific reason(s) (e.g., new sanitary service) for destruction (removal) per tree. Alternate layouts and construction measures should be considered and discussed within the report to ensure all proposed removals are necessary and justified (i.e., there are no alternatives).
7. Where applicable, where construction activities will be in the minimum tree protection zone a description of the mitigation measures to be implemented to minimize impacts (e.g., exploratory air-spade and root prune). The prescription of mitigative measures should be carried to the tree inventory table and labelled appropriately on the tree protection plans for ease of use by the contractor.
8. Where applicable, a description of the methods to be implemented to ensure no impacts for those trees identified for full preservation (i.e., no encroachment).
9. Tree inventory (table of tree details) (refer to the tree inventory section).
10. Please ensure that all multi-stem trees are shown as one consolidated caliper in the chart using the sum of squares method below:
    Method 1 – Measure the diameter at breast-height (DBH) of each trunk. The DBH for the tree is found by taking the square root of the sum of all squared stem DBHs rounding to the nearest whole number. Example: You have three stems that all measure 5”, 6” and 8” so the DBH would be √(5²+6²+8²) = √(25+36+64)= √(125)=11”. It should be noted in the comments that it is a multi-stem tree.
11. Please ensure within the arborist report there is reference to either the number of replacement of trees, cash-in-lieu, or a combination of both (if applicable). Please make sure that the numerical costs are excluded, as City staff will be responsible for determining those.
12. Confirmation that the Tree Protection Zones established and maintained around any trees on the property and all mitigative measures prescribed are in accordance with the City’s relevant policies, procedures, and specifications, in accordance with City’s Tree Protection and Preservation Specification SS12A. Visit the Forest Protection and Tree Permits page for more information.
13. Where applicable the minimum frequency of site inspections by a qualified tree professional during proposed works
14. Recommendations for post-construction care and/or monitoring (as required) for regulated trees and proposed replacement trees.
15. Please indicate if a subsequent hazard tree management report may be applicable to the subject lot.
16. Where applicable a consent letter for the removal of boundary tree(s) (those located along the shared property line) or a neighbour tree(s) to be attached to the report document
17. Where applicable a consent letter for the injury to a boundary and/or neighbour tree(s) to be attached to the report document or an attestation.
18. Where applicable any additional relevant information (e.g., legal survey, TRAQ form, pre-construction exploratory review etc.) to be attached to the report document.
19. Abbreviations should be defined, and industry standard terminology used.

1. The address of the subject lot.
2. Tree Identifier Number as indicated on the Tree Protection Plan.
3. The common and botanical name of tree species
4. Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) for each individual tree identified on the Tree Protection Plan. For multi-stemmed trees, each stem diameter is to be provided in addition to the DBH using the sum of square formula.
   Method 1 – Measure the DBH of each trunk. The DBH for the tree is found by taking the square root of the sum of all squared stem DBHs rounding to the nearest whole number. Example: You have three stems that all measure 5”, 6” and 8” so the DBH would be √(5²+6²+8²) = √(25+36+64)= √(125)= 11”. It should be noted in the comments that it is a multi-stem tree.
5. Provide the health and structural condition rating for each tree as a percentage (per cent) or as a description, i.e., E: excellent= 90per cent, G: good= 80per cent, FG: fair/good= 70per cent, F: fair= 60per cent, FP: fair/poor= 50per cent, P: poor= 35per cent, VP: very poor= 20per cent.
6. Please identify any tree related commentary such as evidence of pests and diseases or structural issues (e.g., EAB).
7. The minimum tree protection zone, and critical root zone and associated impacts as a percentage based on the City’s Tree Protection and Preservation Specification SS12A. Visit the Forest Protection and Tree Permits page for more information.
8. Tree ownership (i.e., private, public, boundary, neighbour) and corresponding address. Where multiple types of public property are identified, please further clarify the public property (e.g., public row, public parkland, public creek corridor or creek block) so it is clear. City staff may require verification by legal survey.
9. Please identify the proposed recommendation for each tree, i.e., preserve, injury (encroachment), destruction (removal).
10. Please include the Critical Root Zone (CRZ) as identified in the City’s specification document.
11. Please include percentage of impact in the Minimum Tree Protection Zone (MTPZ) and that of the CRZ.
12. General notes on the subject tree and mitigative measures (i.e., hydro-vac).
13. Please provide a table in an excel format with the application submission.

1. Contains legible drawings on 24 X 36.
2. Drawn to a metric scale of 1:100, 1:200, 1:250 or 1:300, and include a scale bar.
3. Illustrate the proposed development (including property lines, easements, regulated areas, paved areas, buildings and entrances, landscaped areas, regulated limits, etc.). This tree protection plan shall be coordinated with the Site Plan and civil drawings (i.e., grading, servicing etc.).
4. Illustrate existing elements on the subject lot to be retained. Ensure it is clear as to what is proposed vs. what will be retained as part of the proposal.
5. A label and location of all existing tree(s) over 10cm diameter at breast height (DBH) measured at 1.4m above the ground) on the subject lot and within 6m of the property lines, including all trees of any size on City property. The trunk for each tree to be scaled to size.
6. Legend that defines symbols, lines and/or colours used on the plan. The elements included in the legend should match what is shown on the plan. Do not include other elements that are not applicable.
7. Label and dimension minimum tree protection zones (circles) and critical root zones (circles) in accordance with City’s Tree Protection and Preservation Specification SS12A. Visit the Forest Protection and Tree Permits page for more information. The zones shall be drawn to scale, centered with the radius measured out starting from the edge of the trunk on all sides not the center of the tree.
8. Label and dimension protective tree hoarding (fencing) and root protection (as required) in accordance with the City’s Tree Protection and Preservation Specification SS12A. Visit the Forest Protection and Tree Permits page for more information.
9. Label and dimension root protection (horizontal hoarding).
10. Label all mitigative work around trees as necessary with callouts (i.e., air-spade and root pruning etc.).
11. Include general notes as prescribed for best practices such as monitoring and maintenance of tree protection elements, notification requirements etc.
12. Location and labelling of all associated construction activities, including but not limited to:

• Construction access route (with width measurements)
• Construction material storage area(s) and fill material stockpile locations
• Excavation area including limits of over-dig
• Trenching and/or boring locations inclusive of entry and exit pits (with depths and width measurements)
• All proposed servicing and utilities on both public and private property
• Fill placement from excavation, or material being brought to the lot
• Grade and surface changes

1. Contains legible drawings on 24 X 36
2. Drawn to a metric scale of 1:100, 1:200, 1:250, 1:300 or, 1:500 and include a scale bar
3. Drawing stamped and signed by a qualified member of the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects
4. Illustrates the installed plant material on the site based off the approved Landscape Plan (if the plant material locations have changed, please illustrate new locations with a note on the drawing)
5. Provide plant keys that correspond to a plant list
6. Label existing trees as, “Existing Tree to Remain,” on plan
7. Show fencing type (i.e., existing to remain as-is, wood, chain-link, etc.)
8. Label proposed and existing hard surfaces (i.e., proposed concrete, existing asphalt, etc.)
9. Label proposed and existing soft surfaces (i.e., proposed sodded area, existing plant bed, etc.)

A Private Tree Permit is required for the following:

• Properties not associated with a development application.
• Residential development files under 10 units not subject to Bill 97 and subject to Pre-Building Approval (PBA).

The Arborist Report, Tree Preservation Plan and Tree Inventory Table Requirements are not applicable for these file types. Refer to the following link for additional information: Pre-Building Approval Process.

A Public Tree Permit will be required for any public trees regardless of development type. The checklist criteria for the Arborist Report, Tree Preservation Plan and Tree Inventory Table should coincide with the development types listed above.

For Public Tree Removal(s)/Injury applications related to:

• Plans of Subdivision
• Site Plan Approval (SPA)

It is recommended that the applicant applies for the tree permit after the drawings have been approved and stamped by City staff and any associated Agreements have been executed.

The owner agrees to two Landscape Inspections will be conducted of the completed landscape works for a full release of the Landscape Security. The first inspection occurring no sooner than one-year following installation, shall be to confirm the condition of the completed landscape works and if acceptable, a portion of the security will be released. The second inspection, occurring no sooner than one-year following the first inspection, shall be to confirm the condition of the completed landscape works and, if acceptable, the remaining amount of the security will be release. The City of Burlington’s Landscape Inspection season is from spring bloom to Oct. 1 (the landscape inspection season finishes on Oct. 1; no inspections will be scheduled this day).

• Tree preservation fencing measures for any existing trees.
• Grading to a minimum of two per cent to ensure adequate drainage. Swales under two per cent will require the installation of a weeping tile.
• Supply and installation of all required park servicing (i.e., hydro, water, sanitary, sewer, etc.) to property line.
• Above grade service cabinet complete with regional meter and backflow preventor.
• Appropriately sized culverts.
• Supply, installation and compaction of engineered fill base material.
• Supply, install and grade minimum 20cm topsoil to match proposed finished grades.
• Supply and installation of temporary post, page wire and erosion sediment control measures at the property line where chain-link, privacy or acoustic fencing not proposed.
• Post-grading geotechnical soil testing and topsoil fertility testing.
• Seed or sod the park at the direction of city staff.

Please refer to the Landscape Development Security section above for further information on how to start a security release.

For additional support, please send us an email. 

Please allow a minimum of three weeks until you receive the security. If the security is not received in this time period, please notify staff and the City will reach out to the Finance Department to perform an investigation.

The City of Burlington’s Landscape Inspection season is from spring bloom to Oct. 1 (the landscape inspection season concludes on Oct. 1; no inspections will be scheduled this day). 

Please email us to schedule your landscape inspection.

Within the City of Burlington Parkland Residential Bylaw, cash in lieu credits for POPs are not supported.