Trees & tree removal — Peterborough, Ontario

Do I need a permit to cut down a tree?

In the City of Peterborough, Ontario, permit required: True; applies to private property: True; protected threshold: Any tree species with DBH of at least 7.5 cm (or potential to reach it), located within a Designated Area (Woodland ≥1 hectare or Plantation Woodland ≥1 hectare); excludes European Buckthorn, Glossy Buckthorn, and EAB-infested Ash; replacement required: Replanting on an equal area basis with species composition to replicate lost diversity; if insufficient area, owner pays the City the average of lowest and highest unit price per Table 1 (range approx. $16.00–$40.48/tree installed). Source: By-law 17-121 - Woodland Conservation By-law; By-law 21-074 - Tree Removal By-law, verified 2026-08-29.

By-law 17-121 - Woodland Conservation By-law adopted bylaw
permit required True s. 15 — "apply for and obtain an Approved Development Agreement" or "apply for and obtain a Permit"
applies to private property True s. 2 — "whether the Woodland is located on private property or on land owned by the City"
protected threshold Any tree species with DBH of at least 7.5 cm (or potential to reach it), located within a Designated Area (Woodland ≥1 hectare or Plantation Woodland ≥1 hectare); excludes European Buckthorn, Glossy Buckthorn, and EAB-infested Ash s. 5(x) — "a DBH of at least 7.5 centimetres at physiological maturity"; s. 5(h) — Designated Area is Woodland "one hectare or more in area"
replacement required Replanting on an equal area basis with species composition to replicate lost diversity; if insufficient area, owner pays the City the average of lowest and highest unit price per Table 1 (range approx. $16.00–$40.48/tree installed) Schedule B — "replanting shall occur on an equal area basis"; "Owner shall pay to the City the average of the lowest and highest unit price"
fine range First conviction: not more than $10,000; subsequent conviction: not more than $20,000 s. 31(a)–(b) — "fine of not more than $10,000" / "fine of not more than $20,000"
scout note

Regulates removal and requires replacement/replanting of trees within designated Woodlands in the City of Peterborough, separate from the general Tree Removal By-law.

By-law 21-074 - Tree Removal By-law adopted bylaw
permit required True s. 9: "No Person may Destroy or Injure a Tree except pursuant to a Permit"
applies to private property True s. 10: "No Owner may permit a Tree to be Destroyed or Injured except pursuant to a Permit"
protected threshold Any woody perennial plant with genetic potential to reach DBH of at least 7.5 centimetres and height of at least 4.5 metres; all species s. 7(u): "DBH of at least 7.5 centimetres" and "height of at least 4.5 metres"
boulevard trees Municipal activities are exempt; trees managed by the municipality fall outside this by-law's permit requirements s. 8(a): "activities or matters undertaken by a municipality or a local board"
fine range Administrative penalty: $175 (first day) / $275 (subsequent days) general; $500 (first day) / $750 (subsequent days) for unpermitted activity. Offence conviction: $300–$10,000 per day (first); $400–$25,000 (second); $500–$50,000 (third+) s. 32(a)–(b), s. 33(a)–(b), s. 34(a)–(c)
scout note

Permit required to injure or destroy any tree (4.5m+ mature height, 7.5cm+ DBH) city-wide, with exemptions incl. surveying, utility easements, and land within the Woodland Conservation By-law area.

Machine-readable: trees.json · Official website: http://www.peterborough.ca · Last verified 2026-08-29 · Trees & tree removal in other municipalities