Do you need a permit to remove a tree in Toronto?
A plain-English guide to the Private Tree By-law — what is protected, what it costs to get it wrong, and how to work out where your tree stands.
The short version: if your tree measures 30 cm or more across the trunk at 1.4 m above the ground, it is protected under Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 813 and you generally need a permit before removing it. Below that, you generally do not — unless the property is in a ravine or natural feature protection area, where the rules apply regardless of size.
How to measure your tree in two minutes
You do not need a specialist tool. Take a tape measure, run it around the trunk at 1.4 metres above the ground — about chest height — and note the circumference. Then divide by 3.14.
- Circumference under 94 cm → diameter under 30 cm → generally not protected
- Circumference 94 cm or more → diameter 30 cm or more → protected, permit generally required
If the tree splits into multiple stems below 1.4 m, the measurement gets more complicated and it is worth having someone look at it. And if you are within a few centimetres of the line, assume it is protected until a professional confirms otherwise — the cost of being wrong is much higher than the cost of asking.
Why the City cares
Toronto's tree canopy is treated as a piece of municipal infrastructure, in the same category as the storm sewers. Mature trees intercept rainfall and reduce flooding, cut summer temperatures on residential streets, filter air and hold soil on slopes. Those benefits take decades to build and an afternoon to remove, which is why the by-law exists and why the penalties are set where they are.
What it costs to get it wrong
Removing or injuring a protected tree without a permit can bring fines starting in the hundreds of dollars and running into the tens of thousands for serious contraventions, and the City can require replacement planting on top. "I did not know" is not a defence, and responsibility sits with the property owner — not only with whoever ran the saw. It is worth knowing that neighbours do report this, and that removals are visible from the street.
Dead, dying and hazardous trees
The by-law recognises that a genuinely dangerous tree cannot wait weeks for paperwork, and handles those cases differently. But different is not the same as exempt: the City still expects to receive documentation supporting the tree's condition, and there are time limits for submitting it after the work is done.
The practical implication is important — document the tree's condition before it comes down. Photographs, and a written assessment from an arborist, are much easier to produce while the tree is standing than afterwards.
City trees are a separate matter
The tree between the sidewalk and the road, and often the one on the front lawn, belongs to the City. Homeowners cannot remove or prune City-owned street trees themselves; those requests go to Urban Forestry. The property line is frequently further back from the road than people expect, so check rather than assume.
Ravines and natural feature areas
If your property is in or adjacent to a protected ravine or natural feature area — common along the Don valley, Taylor Creek, Highland Creek and near the Scarborough Bluffs — additional rules apply, and they can cover trees of any size as well as other vegetation and even grading work. Conservation authority regulation may also come into play. Check before planning any work on a valley-backing lot.
How we help
- We measure the trunk properly at the estimate and tell you which side of the threshold you are on — before you have committed to anything
- We flag ravine, natural feature and City-tree situations we spot
- We talk you through what the application will involve for your specific tree
- Where a tree can reasonably be kept — with pruning or cabling instead of removal — we will tell you that too
Not sure where your tree stands?
Send a photo with something for scale, or book a free assessment and we will measure it properly. Five minutes now is a great deal cheaper than a by-law fine. Get in touch →
Please note: this guide is general information to help you understand the process, not legal advice, and by-laws are amended from time to time. Always confirm current requirements with the City of Toronto before removing any tree. We are arborists, not lawyers.
Toronto tree permit questions
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in my Toronto backyard?
If the trunk measures 30 cm or more in diameter at 1.4 m above the ground, then yes — under the City of Toronto's Private Tree By-law (Municipal Code Chapter 813) that tree is protected and a permit is generally required before removal. Below that threshold, a permit is usually not needed for a private tree, though ravine and natural feature areas have additional rules regardless of size.
How do I measure my tree's diameter?
Measure the circumference around the trunk at 1.4 m above ground level — roughly chest height on most adults — using a tape measure, then divide by 3.14 to get the diameter. A circumference of about 94 cm equals the 30 cm diameter threshold. If your tree measures anywhere close to that, treat it as protected until confirmed.
What is the fine for removing a tree without a permit in Toronto?
Penalties are substantial. Fines start in the hundreds of dollars and, for serious or repeat contraventions, can reach into the tens of thousands per tree. The City may also require replacement planting. It is considerably cheaper to apply for the permit.
Does the by-law apply to a dead tree?
Dead, dying and hazardous trees are treated differently from healthy ones, but that is not the same as being exempt from any process. The City still expects to be notified and to receive documentation supporting the tree's condition, and there are time limits on submitting it. Do not assume a dead tree can simply be cut down with no paperwork — get the condition documented first.
What about the tree on my front lawn near the road?
That is very likely a City-owned street tree, and different rules apply — private homeowners cannot remove or prune City trees, and requests go through Urban Forestry. The boundary is not always where people assume, so if there is any doubt about whether a tree is yours or the City's, check before doing anything.
How long does a tree removal permit take in Toronto?
Plan for weeks rather than days. The application involves an arborist report in many cases, site information, and City review, and there may be a notice period. If you have a construction project or a landscaping schedule depending on it, start early.
Want the trunk measured properly?
We will tell you whether your tree is protected, and what your options are, before you commit to anything.