Trees & tree removal — Muskoka Lakes, Ontario

Do I need a permit to cut down a tree?

In the Township of Muskoka Lakes, Ontario, permit required: True; applies to private property: True; protected threshold: All species; DBH ≥ 25 mm (1 inch); capable of reaching height ≥ 4.5 m (15 ft) at physiological maturity; replacement required: Director may require replacement trees (species, size, number, and location) as a discretionary permit condition; no mandatory replacement or cash-in-lieu stated. Source: Tree Conservation By-law 2022-107, verified 2026-08-28.

Tree Conservation By-law 2022-107 adopted bylaw
permit required True s. 4.2
applies to private property True "trees on (private) property in the Township of Muskoka Lakes"
protected threshold All species; DBH ≥ 25 mm (1 inch); capable of reaching height ≥ 4.5 m (15 ft) at physiological maturity s. 3.1(i); definition of "Tree"
replacement required Director may require replacement trees (species, size, number, and location) as a discretionary permit condition; no mandatory replacement or cash-in-lieu stated s. 8.1(d)(i)3
boulevard trees Trees on Township-owned or controlled land are exempt from this by-law s. 3.1(a)
fine range Minimum $500, maximum $100,000; continuous offences up to $10,000 per day; special fine may exceed $100,000 s. 14.2; s. 14.4; s. 14.7
scout note

Regulates the harvesting, removal, injuring and destruction of trees on private property, but only on the lands listed in section 2.1: within 91.4 m (300 ft) of a navigable waterway in the Waterfront designation, within 60.9 m (200 ft) of a navigable waterway in an Urban Centre or Community designation, lands zoned Environmental Protection (EP1 and EP1-PSW), lands zoned Scenic

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