Trees & tree removal — Saugeen Shores, Ontario

Do I need a permit to cut down a tree?

In the Town of Saugeen Shores, Ontario, permit required: True; applies to private property: False; protected threshold: All trees on Town Property (any species of woody perennial plant); replacement required: Replacement trees required per Schedule 1 DBH ratios (1:1 to 5:1) or cash-in-lieu fee. Source: Tree Protection on Town-Owned Property By-law 95-2025; Urban Tree Conservation By-law 96-2025, verified 2026-08-30.

Tree Protection on Town-Owned Property By-law 95-2025 adopted bylaw
permit required True s. 6.3 ("without the written approval of the Director")
applies to private property False s. 3.1 ("This By-law applies to Trees on Town Property")
protected threshold All trees on Town Property (any species of woody perennial plant) s. 3.1; s. 1.1 ("any species of woody perennial plant")
replacement required Replacement trees required per Schedule 1 DBH ratios (1:1 to 5:1) or cash-in-lieu fee Schedule 1; s. 7.7(c)
boulevard trees Covered as Town Property/Town Street; removal requires Director's written approval. s. 1.1 ("Town Street"); s. 6.3
fine range Individual: $250.00-$25,000.00 (1st), $500.00-$50,000.00 (sub); Corp: $500.00-$100,000.00; Daily $1,500.00 s. 8.3; s. 8.4 ("fine not exceeding $1,500.00")
scout note

Prohibits injuring or destroying any tree on Town property, including boundary trees, defacing a tree or attaching signs or objects to it, applying hazardous materials to a tree, and storing or spilling hazardous materials within a tree protection zone. Planting or removing a tree on Town property requires the Director's written approval. Replacement trees are required at 1:1 for a

Urban Tree Conservation By-law 96-2025 adopted bylaw
permit required True s. 6.1
applies to private property True s. 3.1
protected threshold Trees on Private Property of 1 hectare (2.47 acres) or greater within Settlement Area Boundary zoned PD or EP; height of at least 4.5 m (15 feet) s. 3.1; s. 2.1
replacement required planting Replacement Trees... or payment in lieu of compensation s. 7.1(i)
boulevard trees By-law does not apply to Trees located on Town Property s. 4.1(a)
fine range Individual: $250.00-$25,000.00 (1st), $500.00-$50,000.00 (sub); Corp: $500.00-$50,000.00 (1st), $1,000.00-$100,000.00 (sub); Daily: up to $1,500.00 s. 9.4, 9.5
scout note

Requires a Tree Permit to injure or destroy trees on private property of 1 hectare (2.47 acres) or more zoned Planned Development or Environmental Protection inside the Settlement Area Boundary. Replacement trees are required at 1:1 to 5:1 by trunk diameter, or a $500-per-tree fee in lieu. Comes into force April 1, 2026.

Machine-readable: trees.json · Official website: https://www.saugeenshores.ca/ · Last verified 2026-08-30 · Trees & tree removal in other municipalities