Trees & tree removal — Woodstock, Ontario

Do I need a permit to cut down a tree?

In the City of Woodstock, Ontario, permit required: True; applies to private property: False; boulevard trees: All public trees on rights-of-way are under Director's supervision; removal requires prior written Director approval.; fines: liable to a fine or penalty as provided in the Provincial Offences Act. Source: Municipal Code Chapter 0762 - Trees - Protection (Public Trees); Municipal Code Chapter 0763 - Trees - Protection - Privately-Owned Lands, verified 2026-08-29.

Municipal Code Chapter 0762 - Trees - Protection (Public Trees) adopted bylaw
permit required True s. 762.4.1(a): "remove, Injure or Destroy a Public Tree without the prior written approval of the Director"
applies to private property False s. 762.2.11: 'public property' means land under control or ownership of the City; s. 762.2.12: 'public tree' means any tree whose trunk is fully or partially located on Public Property
boulevard trees All public trees on rights-of-way are under Director's supervision; removal requires prior written Director approval. s. 762.3.1: "planting, inspection, maintenance, protection and removal of all Public Trees shall be under the supervision of the Director"; s. 762.4.1(a)
fine range liable to a fine or penalty as provided in the Provincial Offences Act s. 762.6.1: "liable to a fine or penalty as provided in the Provincial Offences Act"
scout note

Prohibits removing, injuring or destroying a public tree, or planting/excavating near one, without prior written approval of the Director of Parks and Recreation. Covers all city-owned/boulevard trees.

Municipal Code Chapter 0763 - Trees - Protection - Privately-Owned Lands adopted bylaw
permit required True s. 763.3.1
applies to private property True 763.1.1 "Private Tree By-law"
protected threshold Trees in woodlands, certain zoned lands, lands with pending development approvals, and Schedule 'A' lots; no DBH threshold stated for individual trees outside woodlands s. 763.3.1(a)-(e)
replacement required Supervisor may require replacement trees planted on same site; where insufficient space, permit holder shall pay cash fee for trees that could not be planted s. 763.5.2(g), s. 763.5.2(h)
fine range liable to a fine or penalty as provided in the Provincial Offences Act s. 763.6.1
scout note

The Private Tree By-law requires the prior written approval (a permit) of the Supervisor of Parks and Forestry before removing, injuring or destroying any living tree — but only on specified lands, not on ordinary residential lots. Covered lands are woodlands (at least 1 hectare meeting the stated stocking densities), land with a pending plan of subdivision, condominium, severance, Official

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