Do I need a permit to cut down a tree?

Trees & tree removal — St. Thomas, Ontario

In the City of St. Thomas, Ontario, permit required: True; applies to private property: True; protected threshold: trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) equal to or greater than 20 cm (no species distinction stated); fines: individual: not exceeding $50,000; corporation: not exceeding $100,000; plus not exceeding $10,000 per day for each day offence continues. Source: Site Alteration By-law 140-2025, verified 2026-08-29.

Site Alteration By-law 140-2025 adopted bylaw

permit required	True	s. 4.1; s. 4.6(k) — "unauthorized injury or destruction of any trees...with a diameter at breast height (DBH) equal to or greater than 20 cm"
applies to private property	True	s. 4.1 — "any Site Alteration of land within the geographic limits of the City"
protected threshold	trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) equal to or greater than 20 cm (no species distinction stated)	s. 4.6(k) and Schedule 'A' item 2
fine range	individual: not exceeding $50,000; corporation: not exceeding $100,000; plus not exceeding $10,000 per day for each day offence continues	s. 14.2, s. 14.3, s. 14.4

scout note

Primarily regulates fill/topsoil/grading, but also prohibits unauthorized injury or destruction of trees on a site alteration site or abutting lands and requires a Tree Management Plan where 10+ trees of 20cm+ DBH are to be removed.