Tree guides
The permit rule belongs to your city
Start with ownership, tree size and site conditions. The permit rule belongs to your municipality.
How the local rules differ
Use the local trigger. “It is a large tree” is not enough to decide whether a permit applies.
A permit is generally required to remove a private tree at least 20 cm in diameter measured 1.4 m above ground. Certain smaller replacement or development trees are also covered.
Injury or removal of a private tree at least 30 cm in diameter requires a permit unless a City-confirmed exception applies. City trees and ravine/natural-feature work have separate permit rules.
Protected private trees and City-owned trees generally require a tree permit before removal. Ottawa’s application route uses a Tree Information Report or, for larger planning applications, a Tree Conservation Report.
Private-lot felling requires an authorization certificate once the borough’s size/condition trigger is met. The citywide portal directs owners to borough-specific thresholds, documents, fees and replacement conditions.
Calgary’s Tree Protection Bylaw is aimed at City-owned/public trees. It does not establish a blanket City removal permit for every ordinary private-yard tree, but City trees cannot be cut, removed or pruned without authorization.
What an application may need
- Vancouver: an ISA-certified arborist report and site plan for non-development removal.
- Toronto: an arborist report for protected private or City-tree removal.
- Ottawa: a Tree Information Report with size, ownership, condition, removal reason, recommendations and protection measures.
- Montréal: borough-specific documents; expert evidence may be required.
Building approval is a separate check
- Ottawa: a building permit does not authorize protected-tree removal.
- Vancouver: some tree decisions are integrated into development or building approval, but tree requirements still apply.
- Toronto: construction that may injure a tree is a separate bylaw issue.
Before booking tree work
- Confirm whether the tree is private, boundary or municipal.
- Measure the trunk using the municipality’s stated height and multi-stem method.
- Check whether the property is in a ravine, natural area, heritage area or active development file.
- Confirm whether an arborist report, site plan, posting period or replacement plan is required.
- Do not remove the tree until the permit or written exception is actually issued.
For the local decision path, use Tree Rules Canada’s city directory rather than applying one municipality’s threshold to another.
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.