Do I need a permit to cut down a tree?

Trees & tree removal — Kingston, Ontario

In the City of Kingston, Ontario, applies to private property: True; protected threshold: trees in woodlands (Schedule "A"); woodland = area mapped in Schedule "A"; tree = woody perennial reaching at least 4.5 metres at maturity; clear cutting = removal reducing >50% canopy in any 0.1 ha contiguous area within 12 months; fines: minimum fine of $500 and maximum fine of $100,000; continuing offence: minimum $500, maximum $10,000 per day; permit required: True. Source: Interim Woodland Preservation Bylaw; Tree Bylaw, verified 2026-08-28.

Interim Woodland Preservation Bylaw adopted bylaw

applies to private property	True	s. 3.1: "This bylaw applies to all woodlands within the geographic boundaries of the City of Kingston."
protected threshold	trees in woodlands (Schedule "A"); woodland = area mapped in Schedule "A"; tree = woody perennial reaching at least 4.5 metres at maturity; clear cutting = removal reducing >50% canopy in any 0.1 ha contiguous area within 12 months	s. 1.2 definitions: "Tree", "Woodland(s)", "Clear cut(ting)"; Schedule "A"
fine range	minimum fine of $500 and maximum fine of $100,000; continuing offence: minimum $500, maximum $10,000 per day	s. 7.5 and s. 7.6

scout note

Bylaw 2026-39 temporarily regulates and prohibits clear-cutting of trees/woodlands while the City develops permanent woodland protection rules.

Tree Bylaw adopted bylaw

permit required	True	Part 3 — "Unless in possession of a Tree Permit issued under this Bylaw"
applies to private property	True	Part 2 — "This Bylaw pertains to all lands within the geographic limits of the City of Kingston"
protected threshold	Trees 15 cm or greater DBH; endangered/threatened/special-concern species (provincial and federal); Distinctive Tree species (Schedule A); trees in Significant Woodlands, Environmental Protection Areas, or Open Space	Part 2 — "Trees that are 15 centimetres or greater in Diameter at Breast Height"; Part 2 items 2–4; Schedule A
replacement required	Replacement trees equivalent in value to trees injured/destroyed required on-site; financial compensation (cash or irrevocable letter of credit) required when replacement cannot be accommodated on property; ratios of 1:1 (moderate condition) or 2:1 (good condition) apply for subdivision trees per CTLA Trunk Formula Method otherwise	Part 17(1) — "required to pay financial compensation when replacement Trees cannot be accommodated on the property"; Part 17(3)–(4)
fine range	Person first conviction: $10,000 or $1,000/tree (whichever greatest); subsequent: $25,000 or $2,500/tree. Corporation first: $100,000 or $10,000/tree; subsequent: $250,000 or $25,000/tree. Special fine up to $200,000. Penalties doubled during April 1–August 31 nesting season.	Part 25(2), Part 25(3), Part 25(4), Part 25(5)

scout note

Bylaw 2018-15 (last updated Jul 8, 2025) requires a City tree permit to injure or destroy a tree that is 15 cm or more in diameter at breast height, a Distinctive Tree listed in Schedule A, a species at risk, a tree in an Environmental Protection Area, Open Space or Significant Woodland, a tree on City property, or any tree