Trees & tree removal — Barrie, Ontario

Do I need a permit to cut down a tree?

In the City of Barrie, Ontario, permit required: True; applies to private property: True; protected threshold: Trees in woodlots (woodlot = min. 0.2 ha with qualifying tree density); any species meeting the 'tree' definition (woody perennial reaching at least 4.5 m height); replacement required: Court or Director may order rehabilitation or replanting including silvicultural treatment; no cash-in-lieu stated. Source: Private Tree By-law 2014-115, verified 2026-08-28.

Private Tree By-law 2014-115 adopted bylaw
permit required True s. 4(a) "No owner...shall cause or permit the injury or destruction of a tree...without first obtaining a permit"
applies to private property True "A By-law...to prohibit or regulate the injuring or destruction of trees on private property"
protected threshold Trees in woodlots (woodlot = min. 0.2 ha with qualifying tree density); any species meeting the 'tree' definition (woody perennial reaching at least 4.5 m height) s. 3 "this by-law applies to all trees in woodlots"; s. 2(a) woodlot definition; s. 1(z) tree definition
replacement required Court or Director may order rehabilitation or replanting including silvicultural treatment; no cash-in-lieu stated s. 13(b) "Director may make a repair order requiring...to plant or replant trees"; s. 14(c) "court...may order the person to rehabilitate the land or to plant or replant trees"
fine range Minimum fine not exceeding $500; maximum not exceeding $100,000; special fine may exceed $100,000 s. 14(a)(i) "A minimum fine shall not exceed $500 and a maximum fine shall not exceed $100,000. However, a special fine may exceed $100,000."
scout note

Requires a permit from the Director before injuring or destroying a tree on private land, but applies only to trees in a 'woodlot' - land of at least 0.2 hectares (0.5 acres) carrying the by-law's tree densities, as shown on the City's Official Woodlot Map - not to every tree on a private lot. Sets application, issuance and exemption rules

Public Tree By-law 2014-116 adopted bylaw

Regulates planting, protection, maintenance and removal of public/boulevard trees and trees on land adjacent to public lands; repeals By-law 2009-098.

Machine-readable: trees.json · Official website: http://www.barrie.ca/ · Last verified 2026-08-28 · Trees & tree removal in other municipalities