Trees & tree removal — Brantford, Ontario

Do I need a permit to cut down a tree?

In the City of Brantford, Ontario, permit required: True; applies to private property: False; protected threshold: All City Trees (woody perennial plant located on City Property); replacement required: Replacement Trees replanted at suitable location or payment of Tree Replacement Value. Source: By-law 94-2024 - City Trees (planting, maintenance, protection); By-law 95-2024 - Private Tree Protection By-law, verified 2026-08-28.

By-law 94-2024 - City Trees (planting, maintenance, protection) adopted bylaw
permit required True Part V, s. 7(f)
applies to private property False Part III, s. 2
protected threshold All City Trees (woody perennial plant located on City Property) Part II, Definitions, 'City Tree'
replacement required Replacement Trees replanted at suitable location or payment of Tree Replacement Value Part III, s. 5(i), s. 5(j)
boulevard trees City Property includes boulevard. Contractors must take special precautions to protect trees located in boulevards. Part II, 'City Property'; Part V, s. 7(c)
scout note

Regulates planting, maintenance and protection of City-owned/boulevard trees in Brantford; repeals and replaces By-law 38-2023; sets tree-replacement compensation ratios by removed-tree diameter (3:1 up to 10:1).

By-law 95-2024 - Private Tree Protection By-law adopted bylaw
permit required True s. 4.1
applies to private property True Title; s. 1.1 'Application'
protected threshold Trees of any size within a 1 acre or greater Woodlot; Core Natural Areas; species set forth in Schedule C s. 2.1(a)-(c)
replacement required Plant Replacement Trees per Schedule B ratios; contribute financially to the City's Tree Replacement Fund s. 11.2, 11.6; Schedule B
boulevard trees this By-law will not apply, as it is under the jurisdiction of the City Tree Protection By-law 38-2023 s. 6.6
fine range minimum fine of $500.00 and a maximum fine of $100,000.00; minimum fine of $500.00 and a maximum fine of $10,000.00 per day s. 17.2-17.3
scout note

Prohibits injury/destruction of private trees in designated Woodlots and Core Natural Areas without a permit; repeals By-law 119-2017; protects listed rare species (Schedule C) even outside those areas.

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