Local tree-rule guide
Terrebonne tree rules
Private-tree rules are present; check size/location exceptions.
The local rule
Terrebonne regulates private-tree removal and publishes accepted reasons for felling larger trees under its zoning rules.
The City uses a tree-removal permit process and also regulates damaging practices such as excessive crown or root removal.
Application details
Terrebonne regulates removal, while ordinary maintenance follows a different rule
- Terrebonne’s current guidance separates tree felling from routine private-tree maintenance.
- Outside specified regional-interest woodland/corridor contexts—and within identified local-interest woodlands—the City publishes removal criteria for trees over 10 cm in diameter measured 1.20 m above average ground.
A tree over 10 cm in diameter at 1.20 m is covered by the published felling criteria in the stated property contexts. Removal must fit an accepted reason such as death/incurable disease, danger, serious property damage, public works or an authorized construction project.
Terrebonne says private-tree maintenance itself does not require a permit, but the work still has to respect the City’s injury rules.
The City identifies removal of more than 50% of the live crown, cutting/removing more than 50% of the root system, and covering the root system with 20 cm or more of excessive fill as prohibited practices.
After a City courtesy notice, an owner has 15 days to clear vegetation. The published clearances include at least 1 m from signs/traffic lights and lamp posts and 4.3 m vertical clearance above the roadway.
Failure to complete required clearance work within the stated period can lead to a published fine of $300 to $1,000.
Within 3 m of medium-voltage wires, only Hydro-Québec or a professional pruner authorized by Hydro-Québec may perform the pruning work.
Larger or specially mapped wooded properties can use a separate permit/form and should not be evaluated only with the ordinary residential felling summary.
Before work starts
- Ownership: check the property line. Public and boundary trees may follow a different process.
- Site context: review any development approval, covenant or protected-area conditions.
- Work requirements: confirm any permit, exemption or protection requirements that apply to the planned work.
Official sources
Primary municipal source reviewed October 1, 2026. Rules can change; confirm with the local authority before work. How we research