Trees & tree removal — Bracebridge, Ontario

Do I need a permit to cut down a tree?

In the Town of Bracebridge, Ontario, permit required: True; applies to private property: True; protected threshold: woody perennial plant with DBH greater than 20 centimetres (8 inches); replacement required: Replacement trees may be required as a permit condition; minimum size 3 cm DBH deciduous or 1.5 m height coniferous; securities held for up to 2 years. Source: Tree Cutting By-law 2025-103, verified 2026-08-28.

Tree Cutting By-law 2025-103 adopted bylaw
permit required True s. 4.1 — "No Person shall permit or cause the Injury or Destruction of a Tree, without first obtaining a Permit"
applies to private property True s. 3.1 — by-law applies to enumerated lands within the Town, including privately owned lands within Urban Centre, waterfront, and other zones
protected threshold woody perennial plant with DBH greater than 20 centimetres (8 inches) s. 1.27 — "a self-supporting, woody, perennial plant...with a Diameter greater than 20 centimetres (8 inches) DBH"
replacement required Replacement trees may be required as a permit condition; minimum size 3 cm DBH deciduous or 1.5 m height coniferous; securities held for up to 2 years s. 10.3 and s. 10.4 — "planting of replacement Tree(s) has been imposed as a condition of a Permit" / "minimum replacement Tree size is a 3 centimetre (1.2 inch) DBH deciduous Tree, or a 1.5 metre...height coniferous Tree"
fine range $250.00 to $1,000.00 per offence Schedule "D" — set fines range from $250.00 (s. 4.6, Invasive Tree) to $1,000.00 (s. 7.2 Heritage Tree; s. 7.4 species at risk)
scout note

Requires a permit to injure/destroy trees 20cm+ DBH within 60m of navigable waterways or 70m of the Highway 11 corridor; fines $250-$1,000 depending on tree type (heritage, wetland, endangered species).

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