Do I need a permit to cut down a tree?

Trees & tree removal — Sarnia, Ontario

In the City of Sarnia, Ontario, permit required: True; applies to private property: True; protected threshold: All trees, shrubs, and woody vegetation in any public place; no minimum size or species threshold for protection; replacement required: Person removing a tree shall forward replacement value to the City before removal; for municipal operations, replacement with trees of 10 cm (4 inch) caliper. Source: By-law to Regulate the Planting, Maintenance and Removal of Trees in Public Places within the City of Sarnia (By-law of 1992 - by-law number illegible in scanned original), verified 2026-08-29.

By-law to Regulate the Planting, Maintenance and Removal of Trees in Public Places within the City of Sarnia (By-law of 1992 - by-law number illegible in scanned original) adopted bylaw

permit required	True	s. 7: "without first having obtained the written permission of the Arborist"
applies to private property	True	s. 4(b); s. 5: owner notified of requirement to remove dangerous tree overhanging public place
protected threshold	All trees, shrubs, and woody vegetation in any public place; no minimum size or species threshold for protection	s. 1(i): "Trees includes all shrubs and woody vegetation now or hereafter found on any public place"
replacement required	Person removing a tree shall forward replacement value to the City before removal; for municipal operations, replacement with trees of 10 cm (4 inch) caliper	s. 7: "shall forward the replacement value of the tree being removed to the City before removing such tree" and "replacing the same with suitable trees of a caliper of 10 centimeters (4 inches)"
boulevard trees	No planting without Arborist written permission; prohibited species include Silver/Manitoba Maple, Poplar, Willow, Spruce, Pine, Chinese Elm	s. 2; s. 3(b)(i)-(v)

scout note

Regulates the planting, maintenance and removal of trees on municipal/public property in Sarnia; prohibits injuring or removing City-owned trees without authorization; violators may be charged the tree's replacement value.