Before you cut down a tree on your own property in the GTA, measure it. In Toronto and Brampton, a private tree 30 cm or wider in diameter needs a permit. In Mississauga, the line is just 15 cm, about the width of a dinner plate. Trees on the city boulevard are protected at any size, and cutting a protected tree without a permit can cost up to $100,000 per tree plus replacement planting.
Toronto also changed its rules on September 1, 2026. Healthy trees over 61 cm can now be designated “Distinctive Trees”, and the City can refuse to let you remove them. This guide covers the rules in Toronto, Mississauga and Brampton in detail, compares seven other GTA cities, and has a checker that tells you if your tree needs a permit and what it will cost.
Step 1: Measure your tree
Every GTA tree by-law uses the same measurement: diameter at breast height (DBH). You only need a tape measure.
- Measure 1.4 m (4 ft 7 in) up the trunk from the ground. Brampton uses 1.37 m, which makes no practical difference.
- Wrap the tape around the trunk at that height, level with the trunk, and read the circumference in centimetres.
- Divide by 3.14. That is the diameter.
A trunk with a circumference of 94 cm has a diameter of about 30 cm. A trunk of 47 cm around is about 15 cm wide. If the tree splits into several stems below 1.4 m, Toronto measures the largest stem, and if any one stem is 30 cm or more, the whole tree is protected.
Step 2: Check if you need a permit
Enter the circumference you measured. The checker converts it to diameter and applies your city’s rules.
GTA tree permit rules at a glance
| City | Private tree protected at | Permit fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto | 30 cm | $142.31 per tree, or $425.75 for construction | Trees over 61 cm may be Distinctive Trees. Ravine areas: all sizes |
| Mississauga | 15 cm | $399.77 base, then $139.72 per extra tree | No fee for dead or dying trees, but a permit is still required |
| Brampton | 30 cm | $55.73 | Trees within 2 m of an occupied building are exempt |
| Caledon | 30 cm | Ask the Town | Woodlots are regulated separately |
| Oakville | 15 cm | $65 for one tree 15 to 24 cm, $425 per extra tree or any tree over 24 cm | Replacement based on diameter removed |
| Vaughan | 20 cm | $270 first tree, $153.25 each extra | Higher fees for construction and infill |
| Markham | 20 cm | $20.50 processing, $203.50 first tree, $102 each extra | No replacement for dead or hazardous trees |
| Richmond Hill | 15 cm | $314 first tree, $109 each extra, capped at $859, plus HST | Threshold lowered from 20 cm |
| Milton, Halton Hills, Oshawa | No individual private tree by-law | n/a | Woodlot and City tree rules still apply |
Toronto, Mississauga and Brampton fees come from each City’s own application pages and forms. The other cities come from a 2026 municipal summary compiled by an arborist firm, so confirm with the city before you budget. All cities protect trees on City property, such as boulevard trees, at any size.
Toronto tree rules in detail
What is protected
- Private trees 30 cm or more in diameter, under the Tree Protection By-law (Municipal Code Chapter 813)
- City street trees of any size, including those in the boulevard or in the part of your front yard the City owns
- All trees in ravines and natural features mapped under the Ravine and Natural Feature Protection By-law (Chapter 658), plus grading, fill and new structures in those areas
- Park trees of any size, including their roots and the air space above them
“Injuring” a tree counts too. Digging, building a deck or patio, parking equipment, storing materials or pouring concrete in a tree’s root zone can all need a permit, even if you are not cutting the tree.
What changed on September 1, 2026
Council passed By-law 402-2026 in April 2026, and the main changes took effect September 1:
- Distinctive Trees. A healthy private tree with a stem more than 61 cm in diameter can be designated a Distinctive Tree. The City must consider this before deciding a permit and can refuse to let you remove it. A 2026 pilot offers owners up to $1,500 toward the cost of caring for these trees.
- Replacement trees are protected from day one. Trees planted as a condition of a permit, variance, site plan or order are protected as soon as they go in the ground, at any size.
- New ravine permit fees of $87.57 per tree for non-construction work and $262.72 per tree for construction, with higher fees for boundary trees.
- Stump evidence. If a tree was cut and its trunk cannot be measured, a stump 40 cm or wider at 0.3 m is proof it was protected.
Council also endorsed lowering the private tree threshold from 30 cm to 20 cm, but only in principle. It is not in force, and staff report back in 2027.
Reasons Toronto accepts
- The tree is in poor condition and cannot be kept healthy and safe
- It is causing, or likely to cause, structural damage to a load-bearing structure or roof
- Construction that cannot reasonably be redesigned around the tree
- Relocating the tree, or ravine restoration work
Reasons the City generally does not accept: leaves, fruit and twigs, shade on a garden, a tree being “too big”, or roots near a foundation that could be fixed by repairing or waterproofing it. Garden suites and laneway suites should be designed around healthy protected trees, and the City can refuse a permit if the design requires removing one. Our garden suite guide explains why tree location shapes where a suite can go.
What a Toronto application needs
| Item | To remove a tree | To injure a tree |
|---|---|---|
| Application form and fee | Yes | Yes |
| Arborist report | Yes | Yes |
| Landscaping and replanting plan | Yes | No |
| Tree protection plan | No | Yes |
| Photos | Yes | Yes |
| Site plan, elevations, grading | For construction | For construction |
Toronto’s per-tree fees from its application form: $142.31 for a private tree and $297.08 for a boundary or neighbour tree when no construction is involved, or $425.75 and $891.30 for construction. City-owned trees are $425.75. Fees are updated every year. Once approved, you sign an Undertaking and Release confirming you will plant replacement trees. If a boundary or neighbour tree is involved, the City writes to the other owner within 15 business days of receiving your application, and again at least 15 days before a permit is issued.
If your application is refused, you can appeal in writing to Community Council. Its decision is final.
Dead, dying and hazardous trees in Toronto
- 100% dead: no permit needed, but request a permit exception confirmation from the City first, with photos and an arborist’s opinion.
- Imminently hazardous (destabilized and an immediate danger): the City can confirm an exception, and the owner arranges removal.
- Terminally diseased and no longer maintainable: an exception may be granted.
- In poor condition but alive: you still need a permit.
Tree protection zones during construction
If you are building near a protected tree, Toronto requires a fenced tree protection zone. The minimum distance depends on the trunk diameter:
| Trunk diameter | Private tree | City street tree | Ravine tree |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 cm | n/a | 1.2 m | 1.2 m |
| 10 to 29 cm | n/a | 1.8 m | 3.6 m |
| 30 to 40 cm | 2.4 m | 2.4 m | 4.8 m |
| 41 to 50 cm | 3.0 m | 3.0 m | 6.0 m |
| 51 to 60 cm | 3.6 m | 3.6 m | 7.2 m |
| 61 to 70 cm | 4.2 m | 4.2 m | 8.4 m |
| 71 to 80 cm | 4.8 m | 4.8 m | 9.6 m |
| 81 to 90 cm | 5.4 m | 5.4 m | 10.8 m |
| 91 to 100 cm | 6.0 m | 6.0 m | 12 m |
Ravine tree zones are the distance shown or the dripline, whichever is greater. If any construction work, access route or storage enters the zone, you need a permit to injure the tree. That includes the deck, pool or addition you are planning.
Mississauga tree rules in detail
Mississauga’s limit is half of Toronto’s and Brampton’s. On private property, you need a permit to injure or remove any tree 15 cm or wider, and that includes dead and dying trees. Every City-owned tree is protected, and pruning or digging near the roots of a City tree needs a permit too.
Mississauga fees
| Item | Fee (HST included) |
|---|---|
| Base permit fee, includes the first tree | $399.77, non-refundable |
| Each additional healthy tree 15 cm or wider, or any public tree | $139.72 |
| Dead or dying trees | No fee, but you still apply |
| Replacement security deposit | Set by the City, refunded after one year |
Replacement trees in Mississauga
Mississauga requires one replacement tree for every 15 cm of diameter removed. Removing a 45 cm tree means planting three. Replacements must be native shade trees: at least 6 cm in diameter for a deciduous tree or 1.8 m tall for an evergreen. Japanese maples, cedars, junipers and other ornamental trees and shrubs do not count. If there is no room on your lot, you pay for the City to plant on public land.
You get your deposit back by calling 311 one year after planting. The City inspects, and if the new trees are healthy, it refunds the deposit. Replacement trees are protected too, so removing one later needs another permit.
Applying in Mississauga
- Apply online, by mail to Parks and Forestry, PO Box 1850, Station B, Mississauga ON L4Y 3W6, or through the drop box at 3240 Mavis Road
- Arborist reports are required for all development and construction projects, but not for dead trees
- The City has 30 business days to review a complete application
- The City weighs the reason, the tree’s condition, species and location, whether damage can be fixed with proper tree care, and the existing canopy on your lot
Boundary trees, where any part of the trunk crosses the property line, need written consent from the neighbour. Building a driveway, patio, pool, fence or addition near a protected tree can need a permit even if the tree stays. Planning one of those? See our Mississauga fence by-law guide and second unit guide.
Brampton tree rules in detail
Brampton’s Tree Preservation By-law 317-2012 protects private trees 30 cm or wider, measured at 1.37 m. Two exemptions are much broader than in Toronto or Mississauga:
- Trees within 2 m of an occupied building do not need a permit
- Injury needed for emergency work is exempt
The application fee is $55.73, far less than in Toronto or Mississauga, and the City asks you to allow up to 30 business days. The form needs a sketch showing the tree’s location. If the tree is shared with a neighbour, both owners apply. An arborist report can be requested, and permits can come with conditions on the species, size, number and location of replacement trees. Contact Urban Forestry through 311 or forestry@brampton.ca.
Brampton also has a separate Woodlot Conservation By-law for wooded areas of 0.2 hectares or more, which needs a Silvicultural Prescription for any removal. If you are adding a garden suite or widening the driveway, check for protected trees in the work area first.
Boundary trees and your neighbour’s tree
This is where most tree disputes start. The rules are the same across Ontario:
- Boundary tree: if any part of the trunk grows across the property line, the tree belongs to both owners. Ontario’s Forestry Act makes it an offence to injure or destroy a boundary tree without the other owner’s consent. Every city above also requires that consent before it issues a permit.
- Neighbour tree: if the trunk is fully on your neighbour’s side, it is theirs. Toronto lets you apply for a permit if its roots or branches affect your property, but a permit does not give you the right to go on their land or remove their tree.
- Overhanging branches: you can generally prune branches back to your property line, as long as the work follows good arborist practice and does not seriously injure the tree. If it would, a permit rule may apply.
Get a survey if you are not sure where the line is. A tree ownership dispute is a civil matter, and the City will not settle it for you. Mississauga will do a tree ownership inspection on request.
Fines and penalties for cutting without a permit
| City | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Toronto | $500 minimum to $100,000 maximum per tree, plus a special fine of up to $100,000 to remove any financial benefit, inspection fees, and 5 replacement trees for every tree removed |
| Mississauga | Up to $100,000 per tree, plus replacement requirements |
| Brampton | Up to $100,000 for an offence, with possible daily penalties and orders |
Toronto does not accept permit applications after the fact. Unpaid inspection fees are added to your property tax bill after 90 days, and if you do not plant the required trees, the City can do it and bill you. Orders and inspection fees go to the property owner, even if a contractor did the cutting. Ask any company you hire to show you the permit before work starts.
What this means for buyers and sellers
Large mature trees add value to most GTA homes, but they can also limit what you can build. If you are buying a house to add a second unit, a garden suite or an addition, a protected tree in the wrong spot can force a redesign. Before you firm up an offer:
- Note every large tree near where you plan to build, and measure it
- Check if the lot backs onto a Toronto ravine or natural area, where all trees are protected
- Ask the seller about any tree permits, replacement planting conditions or deposits still outstanding
- Look for stumps of recently removed large trees. An illegal removal can leave the new owner dealing with an order
Thinking about the market? Our latest Toronto market report and GTA prices by city have the numbers.
Common questions
Can I cut down a tree on my own property in Toronto?
Only if it is under 30 cm in diameter and not in a ravine or natural area. Larger trees need a permit, and since September 1, 2026, healthy trees over 61 cm can be designated Distinctive Trees that the City may refuse to let you remove.
Do I need a permit to remove a dead tree?
In Toronto, not for a tree that is 100% dead, but confirm the exception with the City first. In Mississauga, yes, you still apply, but there is no fee and no arborist report. In Brampton, check with Urban Forestry before cutting.
How much does a tree removal permit cost?
For one healthy private tree with no construction: $142.31 in Toronto, $399.77 in Mississauga and $55.73 in Brampton. That is only the permit. Removing a large tree typically costs much more than the permit, and replacement trees are extra.
How long does a tree permit take?
Mississauga and Brampton allow up to 30 business days for a complete application. Toronto does not publish a set time, and boundary tree applications include two neighbour notices, so allow extra time.
Can my neighbour cut a tree on the property line?
Not without your consent. A tree whose trunk crosses the line belongs to both owners, and Ontario’s Forestry Act makes injuring it without consent an offence.
Do I need a permit to prune a tree?
In Toronto, pruning a private tree does not need a permit if it follows good arboricultural practice. Heavy cutting that removes too much of the crown counts as injury. City trees cannot be pruned by owners without a permit.
What if a storm knocks a tree down?
Removing a tree that has already fallen, or one that is an immediate danger after a storm, is treated as emergency or hazard work. Take photos before cleanup and contact the City to confirm.
Sources
- City of Toronto, When to apply for a tree or ravine permit
- City of Toronto, How to apply for a tree or ravine permit
- City of Toronto, Application to injure or remove trees (fees)
- City of Toronto, How to report a tree contravention (fines)
- Tree Doctors, Toronto tree by-law changes September 2026 and Arborist Group summary of By-law 402-2026
- City of Mississauga, Tree permits
- City of Mississauga, Check before you cut (August 2026)
- City of Brampton, Tree regulations
- City of Brampton, Application to injure or destroy trees on private land
- Arborist Group, GTA tree permit requirements by municipality (2026), for Oakville, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Caledon and Halton
This guide summarizes municipal rules as published in October 2026. It is general information, not legal or arboricultural advice. Confirm with your city before removing or working near any tree.