1. Confirm the protected-tree trigger
20 cm Use the exact municipal measurement method and protected-tree definition.
Municipal tree source checked
Reviewed Sep. 13, 2026Private/public scope checked against the municipal source
Tree removal rules in Markham, ON
A plain-English guide to what Markham publishes about tree removal and protection. The first question is whether the rule covers your private tree at all—not every City tree bylaw is a private-yard permit bylaw.
CITY-SPECIFIC SUMMARY
What Markham actually regulates
Markham’s published tree and bylaw rules, in plain English:
Markham requires a permit to remove a private tree with a diameter of 20 cm or more measured at breast height, including trees that are unhealthy or hazardous.
The City's application process asks for tree condition, location and replacement information rather than treating poor health as an automatic permission to remove.
Regional context
Markham applies its own municipal tree rules within Ontario. See the Ontario tree-rule overview for province-wide context; this page focuses on the ownership, diameter and site rules published for Markham.
LOCAL QUICK READ
Markham at a glance
These are the main signals in the Markham municipal source: who the rule covers, whether a permit path is identified, any published diameter signal, and extra requirements that can change the answer.
Rule scopePrivate-tree rules are identified in the municipal source
Permit signalA permit or authorization process is identified
Diameter numbers found20 cm
Extra requirements namedReplacement planting, Hazard / dead-tree path
LOCAL DECISION PATH
What to verify before removing a tree in Markham
Markham publishes private-tree controls, so the first job is to identify whether this specific tree is protected before booking removal.
2. Separate private, public and boundary trees
The Markham source identifies private-tree rules; boulevard, City-owned and shared-boundary trees can follow a different process.
3. Plan for replacement conditions
For Markham, replacement planting, security or cash-in-lieu may be part of approval where the local rule says so. Read the actual permit conditions before scheduling removal.
General guidance lives separately
For general tree-law concepts, use these guides:
Public vs. private trees · Construction near trees · Tree-removal permits · Replacement trees ·CONSTRUCTION NEAR TREES
Construction and tree protection in Markham
The source reviewed for Markham does not justify assuming that ordinary yard construction is always outside tree rules. If work could affect a City tree, boundary tree, protected area or a tree retained through development approval, confirm the municipal requirements before excavation or root disturbance.
Private tree
Local source detailMarkham requires a permit to remove a private tree with a diameter of 20 cm or more measured at breast height, including trees that are unhealthy or hazardous.
Open Markham’s rule ↗City / boulevard tree
Do not self-authorizeIf the trunk is on Markham municipal land, a boulevard or road allowance, do not self-authorize pruning or removal. Confirm ownership and use the municipality’s tree process.
Check ownership rules ↗Boundary tree
Ownership mattersIf the trunk sits on or very near a property line in Markham, confirm ownership before work. Municipal tree rules do not replace private-law rights involving a co-owned or neighbouring tree.
Check local application rules ↗Development site
Often stricterIn Markham, development work such as demolition, additions or subdivision can bring tree-retention, arborist or replacement requirements into the approval path; use the linked development-tree source for the site.
Check development-tree rules ↗SOURCE TRACE
What we verified for Markham
Private-tree regulation is identified in the Markham source. Primary source checked September 13, 2026. This page keeps that local rule separate from general arborist advice and does not import another city’s threshold.
Open primary Markham source ↗How Tree Rules Canada fact-checks pages →OFFICIAL LINKS
Go straight to Markham
Use Markham’s current municipal source before booking removal or construction near a tree. That source controls the current threshold, exceptions, forms, fees and any replacement conditions.
Markham tree sources checked September 13, 2026. Re-check the linked municipality for current fees, protected-tree definitions and permit steps; Tree Rules Canada is independent.