Trees & tree removal — Burlington, Ontario

Do I need a permit to cut down a tree?

In the City of Burlington, Ontario, permit required: True; applies to private property: True; protected threshold: DBH of 20cm or greater, heritage trees, endangered species; replacement required: to plant replacement tree(s) or pay replacement tree fees. Source: Private Tree By-law No. 40-2022; Public Tree By-law No. 98-2025, verified 2026-08-28.

Private Tree By-law No. 40-2022 adopted bylaw
permit required True s. 5.1
applies to private property True s. 3.1
protected threshold DBH of 20cm or greater, heritage trees, endangered species s. 5.1
replacement required to plant replacement tree(s) or pay replacement tree fees s. 7.6(a), 7.6(e)
fine range not less than $500 and not more than $100,000 (individual 1st); not less than $1000 and not more than $100,000 (individual subsequent); not less than $1000 and not more than $100,000 (corp 1st); not less than $5000 and not more than $100,000 (corp subsequent) s. 10.3
scout note

Requires a tree permit to injure/destroy trees on private land within the Urban Planning Area Boundary; 'significant tree' defined as 75cm+ diameter at breast height; repeals By-law 02-2020.

Public Tree By-law No. 98-2025 adopted bylaw
permit required True s. 5.2(a)
applies to private property False s. 3.1
protected threshold any species of woody perennial plant reaching height of at least 4.5m at physiological maturity s. 1.1, defn 'tree'
replacement required payment of replacement tree compensation fees as determined using the trunk formula technique s. 7.1(f)
boulevard trees Boulevard trees are public property; permit required to injure or destroy public trees. s. 1.1, defn 'public property'; s. 5.2
fine range Individual: $250-$100,000 (1st), $500-$100,000 (subsequent). Corporation: $350-$100,000 (1st), $500-$100,000 (subsequent). Continuing: $500-$10,000 per day. s. 10.3(1)-(3)
scout note

Prohibits/regulates injuring or destroying trees on City-owned public property and regulates planting/maintenance of public trees; repeals By-law 68-2013.

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