Trees & tree removal — Norfolk, Ontario

Do I need a permit to cut down a tree?

In the City of Norfolk, Ontario, permit required: True; applies to private property: True; protected threshold: Trees in Woodlands (≥1 ha, per density thresholds in s. 1.39); Undersized Trees defined by species-specific minimum circumference per Schedule F (57–161 cm at 137 cm height by species); Exotic Species (Schedule A) excluded from protection; replacement required: Planting Trees or payment-in-lieu of planting may be required as a condition of an Exemption Permit or by court order upon conviction. Source: Forestry By-law 2022-98; Public Tree Maintenance By-law 2024-31, verified 2026-08-28.

Forestry By-law 2022-98 adopted bylaw

permit required	True	s. 4.1
applies to private property	True	s. 2.1
protected threshold	Trees in Woodlands (≥1 ha, per density thresholds in s. 1.39); Undersized Trees defined by species-specific minimum circumference per Schedule F (57–161 cm at 137 cm height by species); Exotic Species (Schedule A) excluded from protection	s. 1.39; s. 1.37; Schedule "F"
replacement required	Planting Trees or payment-in-lieu of planting may be required as a condition of an Exemption Permit or by court order upon conviction	s. 6.3; s. 9.3
boulevard trees	Municipal activities are exempt; by-law covers Woodlands only, not individual boulevard trees	s. 3.1(a)
fine range	First conviction: not more than $50,000 or $1,000 per Tree Injured or Destroyed, whichever is greater; subsequent conviction: not more than $100,000 or $2,000 per Tree Injured or Destroyed, whichever is greater	s. 9.2

scout note

Regulates destruction/injury of trees in woodlands of 1+ hectare across Norfolk County; requires harvest or exemption permits, sets minimum growing-stock thresholds, and imposes fines up to $50,000 (first offence) or $100,000 (subsequent).

Public Tree Maintenance By-law 2024-31 adopted bylaw

permit required	True	s. 9.1(a)
applies to private property	False	s. 4.1; s. 8.1
protected threshold	All public trees of any species capable of reaching 4.5 metres height at physiological maturity; no DBH threshold stated	s. 2.24; s. 4.1
replacement required	at minimum, one 50mm caliper tree for every 10 centimeters of DBH of Public Tree that is Injured or Removed; fees per Norfolk County User Fee By-law	s. 12.2
boulevard trees	Permit required to prune, injure, or remove; County holds sole authority over planting, maintenance, and removal on Highway rights-of-way	s. 2.11; s. 6.1; s. 9.1(a)
fine range	Minimum fine of $200.00 and maximum fine of $100,000.00; multiple offence: minimum $200.00 and maximum $10,000.00 per included offence; special fine may exceed $100,000.00	s. 16.5

scout note

Governs planting, maintenance and removal of public/street/boulevard trees; written authorization required to prune, injure, remove or attach anything to a public tree; fines $200-$100,000.

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