Trees & tree removal — Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

Do I need a permit to cut down a tree?

In the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, permit required: True; applies to private property: False; protected threshold: All trees on Town property meeting the definition: woody perennial plant that has reached or can reach 4.5 metres height at physiological maturity; no DBH threshold stated; replacement required: Boulevard tree removal cost includes fee for planting and care during three-year establishment of a replacement tree on Town property; court may order replanting of comparable species and/or payment of amenity value. Source: Trees (Town Trees) By-law 4571-12; Trees on Private Property in Urban Areas By-law 5139-19, verified 2026-08-28.

Trees (Town Trees) By-law 4571-12 adopted bylaw
permit required True s. 3(a), 3(b), 3(h): prohibit injury/removal/work on Town trees "without permission from the Director"
applies to private property False Title and s. 3: scope limited to "trees growing on Town property"
protected threshold All trees on Town property meeting the definition: woody perennial plant that has reached or can reach 4.5 metres height at physiological maturity; no DBH threshold stated s. 1(n): "height of at least 4.5 meters at physiological maturity"
replacement required Boulevard tree removal cost includes fee for planting and care during three-year establishment of a replacement tree on Town property; court may order replanting of comparable species and/or payment of amenity value s. 2(3)(k): "fee for planting and care and maintenance during a three year establishment period of a replacement tree"; s. 5(3): "replacement of a comparable species and/or payment of the tree(s) amenity value"
boulevard trees Removal at requestor's cost, carried out by Director; includes replacement tree with three-year establishment fee s. 2(3)(k): "all cost shall be payable by the person requesting the tree removal prior to the removal"
fine range Minimum $500, maximum $100,000 per offence; continuing offence: $500–$10,000/day; multiple offence: $500–$10,000 per included offence; special fine may exceed $100,000 s. 5(2)(a)–(d): "minimum fine...is $500 and the maximum fine...is $100,000"; daily continuing: $500–$10,000; multiple: $500–$10,000 each; special fine "may exceed $100,000"
scout note

Authorizes and regulates the planting, care, maintenance and removal of trees on Town (public/street) property in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Trees on Private Property in Urban Areas By-law 5139-19 adopted bylaw
permit required True s. 3(1)–(2): "no person shall... Destroy or Injure any Regulated Tree" except "in compliance with a Permit"
applies to private property True s. 2: "This By-law applies to all private property in the urban areas of the Town"
protected threshold Any species of deciduous or coniferous woody perennial with DBH of at least 12.5 cm and potential height of at least 4.5 metres Definition of "Regulated Tree": "DBH of at least 12.5 cm" and "height of at least 4.5 metres from the ground at physiological maturity"
replacement required Replacement tree planting per Schedule "C" as permit condition; cash in lieu of $250 (individuals) or $500 (corporations) per tree destroyed/injured if on-site replanting not achievable; payment into Replacement Tree Planting Fund s. 9(b): "planting of replacement tree(s) in accordance with Schedule 'C'"; s. 10(g): "cash in lieu in the amount of $250 for Owners who are individuals and $500 for Owners who are corporations per tree Destroyed or Injured"
fine range Minimum $500; first conviction up to $10,000 or $1,000/tree (max $100,000); subsequent conviction up to $25,000 or $2,500/tree (max $100,000); corporations: up to $50,000 or $5,000/tree first conviction, $100,000 or $10,000/tree subsequent s. 19(1): "not less than $500"; s. 19(2)(a)–(b); s. 19(3)(a)–(b)
scout note

Private Tree Protection By-law regulating destruction/injuring of trees on private property within the urban areas of Niagara-on-the-Lake; requires a permit for tree removal.

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