Trees & tree removal — Regional Municipality of Niagara, Ontario

Do I need a permit to cut down a tree?

In the Regional Municipality of Niagara, Ontario, permit required: True; applies to private property: True; protected threshold: Trees in Woodlands: ≥1,000 trees of any size/ha, or ≥750 trees >5 cm DBH/ha, or ≥500 trees >12 cm DBH/ha, or ≥250 trees >20 cm DBH/ha; woodland ≥1 ha; replacement required: Court or Officer may order rehabilitation of land or planting/replanting of trees, including silvicultural treatment. Source: By-law No. 2020-79 - Woodland Conservation By-law (as amended by 2025-24), verified 2026-08-29.

By-law No. 2020-79 - Woodland Conservation By-law (as amended by 2025-24) adopted bylaw
permit required True s. 3.1.b
applies to private property True s. 3.1 — "No Person … shall Injure or Destroy any Tree located in Woodlands"
protected threshold Trees in Woodlands: ≥1,000 trees of any size/ha, or ≥750 trees >5 cm DBH/ha, or ≥500 trees >12 cm DBH/ha, or ≥250 trees >20 cm DBH/ha; woodland ≥1 ha s. 1.32, s. 2.1
replacement required Court or Officer may order rehabilitation of land or planting/replanting of trees, including silvicultural treatment s. 10.3 — "order the Person to rehabilitate the land or to plant or replant Trees"
fine range First conviction: up to $10,000 or $1,000/tree (whichever greater); subsequent: up to $25,000 or $2,500/tree; corporation: up to $50,000 or $5,000/tree; continuing offence: $100–$10,000/day, total may exceed $100,000 s. 10.1.a, s. 10.1.b, s. 10.2.a, s. 10.2.b
scout note

Prohibits or regulates the destruction or injuring of trees in designated Woodlands across Niagara Region; requires a permit to injure or destroy trees in Woodlands and promotes Good Forestry Practices.

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