Tree guides
What makes a tree protected?
Size is one trigger. Public ownership, a replacement condition, development history or a protected area can also matter.
The local protection trigger
Start with the municipality, ownership and any environmental or development conditions.
Private trees at least 20 cm in diameter, measured 1.4 m above ground, generally require a removal permit. Smaller trees can still be protected when they were required as replacement trees or as part of an approved landscape plan.
Private-property trees at least 30 cm DBH are protected. City street trees and designated ravine or natural-feature areas have separate protection. Since September 1, 2026, healthy private or ravine trees over 61 cm can also fall into Toronto’s Distinctive Tree category.
Within the urban area, Ottawa treats private trees at least 30 cm DBH as distinctive on properties 1 hectare or less. Larger private properties use a different bylaw part: trees from 10 cm DBH can be protected, and Planning Act applications have separate requirements.
The city portal requires a borough check. The general portal identifies permit triggers beginning at 10 cm measured 1.3 m above ground or 15 cm measured 15 cm above ground, but borough details can vary.
Calgary is an important contrast: its Tree Protection Bylaw protects City-owned/public trees and expressly does not create the same blanket private-tree regime for ordinary private-property trees.
Smaller trees can still count
- Replacement or landscape tree: an earlier permit or development approval can protect a small tree.
- Public or boundary tree: ownership changes the process.
- Location: ravines, riparian areas, heritage controls and other protected areas can add requirements.
- Local examples: Vancouver protects certain replacement/development trees below 20 cm. Toronto separately protects City trees and ravine/natural-feature areas.
Check the tree and the site
- Confirm ownership. A tree near a sidewalk or boulevard may be municipal even if its canopy extends over your yard.
- Measure using the local method. Do not assume every city measures DBH at the same height.
- Check development history. Replacement and landscape trees can stay protected because of a prior permit or planning approval.
- Check mapped or site-specific controls. Ravines, natural areas and development conditions can override a simple size test.
- Use the local source before work. If the tree is close to a threshold, obtain the municipality’s current interpretation or an arborist’s measurement.
See the local pages for Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal and Calgary.
Official sources
Sources were re-checked for this guide on September 29, 2026. Municipal bylaws, fees, exemptions and development conditions can change. Use the linked municipality for the current rule before work begins.
Independent information, not legal or arboricultural advice. Ownership, site conditions and professional assessments can change the answer.