Trees & tree removal — Regional Municipality of Durham, Ontario

Do I need a permit to cut down a tree?

In the Regional Municipality of Durham, Ontario, permit required: True; applies to private property: True; protected threshold: Any living woody perennial plant in a Woodland (≥1 ha) reaching ≥4.5 m height; Woodland defined by density thresholds including 750 trees >5 cm DBH/ha, 500 trees >12 cm DBH/ha, or 250 trees >20 cm DBH/ha; replacement required: Court may order replanting of comparable species and size Trees; Officer may order planting or replanting of Trees as remedy for contravention. Source: Regional Woodland By-law No. 030-2020, verified 2026-08-29.

Regional Woodland By-law No. 030-2020 adopted bylaw
permit required True s. 3.1: 'No Person shall...cause Injury or Destruction to any Tree...unless...in possession of a valid...Permit'
applies to private property True s. 2.1: 'This By-law shall apply to all Woodlands...within the Region...applies to all lands within and outside the Urban Area Boundary'
protected threshold Any living woody perennial plant in a Woodland (≥1 ha) reaching ≥4.5 m height; Woodland defined by density thresholds including 750 trees >5 cm DBH/ha, 500 trees >12 cm DBH/ha, or 250 trees >20 cm DBH/ha s. 1.1(kk) definition of 'Tree'; s. 1.1(nn) definition of 'Woodland'
replacement required Court may order replanting of comparable species and size Trees; Officer may order planting or replanting of Trees as remedy for contravention s. 8.3: 'court...may order the person or corporation to...plant or replant comparable species and size Trees'; s. 7.3: Officer may order 'plant or replant Trees'
fine range Individual: first conviction max $10,000 or $1,000/tree (greater); subsequent max $25,000 or $2,500/tree (greater). Corporation: first max $50,000 or $5,000/tree; subsequent max $100,000 or $10,000/tree. Set fines: $350–$500 s. 8.1, s. 8.2; Schedule B set fines $350.00–$500.00
scout note

Prohibits and regulates the destruction or injuring of trees in Woodlands throughout the Region of Durham, inside and outside the Urban Area Boundary, and requires a permit to cut beyond the exemption thresholds. A 'Woodland' is an area of one hectare or more with at least 1,000 trees of any size per hectare, 750 trees over 5 cm DBH, 500

Machine-readable: trees.json · Official website: https://www.durham.ca/en/index.aspx · Last verified 2026-08-29 · Trees & tree removal in other municipalities