Permit guideKitchenerSite Alteration & EngineeringTrees
Tree conservation permits
You may need a tree conservation permit to remove a tree from a property larger than 0.405 hectares or one acre.
The municipality lists what to submit. CodeEase shows what the building code asks of it. See CodeEase →
Check whether you need a permit
- The private tree bylaw regulates trees >10 cm (≈ 3⅞ in) in diameter on private properties from damage, injury or destruction on lots greater than 1 acre.
- You may need a tree conservation permit to remove a tree from a property larger than 0.405 hectares or one acre.
- Ownership is determined by the property that the tree is located on, not by who planted the tree.
- If you’re not sure if you need a permit, send us an email.
No permit neededYou do not need a permit for:
- removing trees that are less than 10 cm (≈ 3⅞ in) in diameter at chest height
- removing dead, diseased or hazardous trees when certified as such by an individual designated or approved by our director of planning
- removing damaged or destroyed tree when certified as such by an individual designated or approved by our director of planning, where the removal is in the interest of public safety, health or general welfare following any man-made or natural disasters, storms, high winds, floods, fires, snowfall or freezes
- removing trees located within 5 metres (≈ 16 ft 4⅞ in) (16.4 feet (≈ 5.00 m)) of an occupied building
- when a building permit has already been issued for the work
- pruning a tree, as long as the pruning is done in a manner that does not harm the tree
- If all the trees you’re removing are dead, dying or hazardous, contact our planning division to ask if you need a permit.
Download the application form1
Complete the application form and collect the required materials0 of 4
Your application must include:
You need an account to see these 4 items.It’s free. Use Sign in at the top of the page to create one, then tick the items off on any device and print them as a checklist.
Send the application form and required materials to staff by email
- send the application form and required materials to staff by email
- Only if removing trees as part of the development of a piece of land
Tree removals on private property during development
Development
When removing trees as part of the development of a piece of land, we will need:
- a general vegetation overview
- a detailed vegetation plan or tree preservation plan
Written from Kitchener’s own pages as published on 23 October 2026. The municipality decides what a permit needs: confirm with it before you apply. Legal notice