Tree and ravine permits

Check whether you need a permit

• Any activity that can cause a tree of 30 centimetres (≈ 11¾ in) or more in diameter, to be injured or removed, on private property, is prohibited unless authorized with a permit under the Tree Protection By-law.
• Find the trunk of the tree or the largest stem. If a tree has multiple stems, the diameter of the largest stem is used to determine the size of a multi-stemmed tree. Where at least one stem measures 30 cm (≈ 11¾ in) in diameter or greater, the tree (including all stems) is protected under the bylaw.
• Hold the start of a measuring tape at ground level. Measure 1.4 metres (≈ 4 ft 7⅛ in) (4.5 feet (≈ 1.37 m)) from the base of the tree at ground level upwards. Place a finger or a temporary mark at this point.
• Hold the end of the measuring tape at the 1.4 metre (≈ 4 ft 7⅛ in) mark and wrap it around the tree at a 90-degree angle to the trunk or stem (not the ground). Measure the circumference of the tree trunk or stem in centimetres.
• Using a calculator, divide the measured circumference by 3.14. The total value is the tree’s Diameter at Breast Height (DBH).
• If the DBH is 30 centimetres (≈ 11¾ in) or more, the tree is protected.
• Any activity that can cause a street tree of any size to be harmed or removed is prohibited unless authorized with a permit under the Tree Protection By-law.
• A survey of your property will show the measurement from your home towards the property line and street curb. If you don’t have a survey of your property, you can also contact 311 to confirm who owns the tree.
• Harming or removing any trees, regardless of size
• Changing the natural land topography, by excavation or adding soil or other materials on slopes
• Placing or dumping of fill (such as earth, sand and gravel) or refuse (such as garbage, construction material and garden waste, leaves and branches)
• Constructing new or replacing old structures or retaining walls
• If the property is in a striped area, it is in a ravine or natural feature protection area.
• To determine if your construction will impact a protected tree and if you should apply for a permit, we recommend consulting an arborist to assess the site and measure the Tree Protection Zone (TPZ).
• If any construction work on site, including access or storage, will impact a TPZ, you need to apply for a permit to remove or injure a tree.
• If your construction will not impact a TPZ, you do not need to apply for a permit, however, you are required to protect trees near the proposed construction and complete a Tree Protection Plan in consultation with an arborist.
• If your as-of-right development impacts a protected tree, you are still required to apply for a permit to remove or injure it.
• The City does not consider the following to be as-of-right construction: pools, landscape features and accessory structures (e.g. sheds, gazebos, cabanas, etc.), standalone garages and basements that extend beyond the above-ground footprint of the building.
• If your minor variance application is approved by the Committee of Adjustment and your plan directly impacts a protected tree, ravine or natural feature, you are still required to apply for a permit.
• Trees are in poor condition and cannot be maintained in a healthy and safe condition
• Trees are causing or likely to cause structural damage to load-bearing structures or roof
• Trees are to be relocated and the City is satisfied that the trees will be sufficiently prepared for relocation
• The tree removal or injury is required to implement a ravine restoration plan or forest stewardship, management or enhancement plan.
• The tree removal or injury is required to permit activities associated with the day-to-day operations of a cemetery for the interring or disinterring of remains
• Boundary tree: If any part of a tree trunk is growing across one or more property lines, it is known as a boundary tree and the tree is owned by both (or all) property owners. Either (or any) property owner may apply for a permit if required however, consent must be granted by the other property owners(s).
• Neighbour tree: If a tree trunk is fully growing on a property, but the tree crown or roots impact a neighbouring property, it is known as a neighbour tree, and the owner of the impacted property may apply for a permit if required.
• It is the applicant’s responsibility to determine the property boundaries and tree ownership.
• If the City determines a tree is a Boundary Tree and you disagree, you will be required to submit an up-to-date property survey.

Application to Remove a Tree0 of 7

Prepare and complete the following documents to apply for a permit to remove a City-owned tree or private tree of 30 centimetres (≈ 11¾ in) diameter or more. The following items must be prepared and submitted to complete your Application to Remove a Tree.

You need an account to see these 7 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.

Application to Injure a Tree0 of 10

Prepare and complete the following documents to apply for a permit to injure a City-owned street tree or private tree of 30 centimetres (≈ 11¾ in) diameter or more. The following items must be prepared and submitted to complete your Application to Injure a Tree.

You need an account to see these 10 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.

Complete the forms3Download the set12 forms

• Application to Injure or Remove Trees (Printable)Form
• Ravine and Natural Feature Permit Application (Printable)Form
• Tree Protection By-law Declaration (For Building Permit Applications)Form

How to Submit an Application Package

• Check that you have gathered and completed all the required documents for your application.
• Submit the completed application form along with all supplementary documents to your local Urban Forestry Tree Protection and Plan Review (TPPR) Office through the online application form or in person.
• The City of Toronto no longer accepts new Tree Permit Applications via email. Applications must be submitted through the online application form or in person at a Service Counter.
• If submitting in-person, please submit your application to the appropriate City office serving the Ward in which the property is located, as indicated on the application form.
• Submission of an application does not guarantee that a permit will be issued.
• Etobicoke York Tree Protection and Plan Review Office: 399 The West Mall, Etobicoke, ON M9C 2Y2, Etobicoke Civic Centre, first floor, north block. Monday to Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Telephone: 416-338-6596. Email: tpprwest@toronto.ca
• North York Tree Protection and Plan Review Office: 5100 Yonge St, North York, ON M2N 5V7, North York Civic Centre, ground floor. Monday to Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Telephone: 416-395-6670. Email: tpprnorth@toronto.ca
• Scarborough Tree Protection and Plan Review Office: 150 Borough Dr, Scarborough, ON M1P 4N7, Scarborough Civic Centre, third floor. Monday to Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Telephone: 416-338-5566. Email: tppreast@toronto.ca
• Toronto and East York Tree Protection and Plan Review Office: 100 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5G 1P5, City Hall, first floor. Monday to Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Telephone: 416-392-7391. Email: tpprsouth@toronto.ca
• Ravine and Natural Feature Protection Office: 18 Dyas Rd, North York, ON M3B 1V5. Counter is closed; there are no walk-ins at this location. Telephone: 416-392-2513. Email: rnfp@toronto.ca

Pay the fee

• Tree permit applications: current fees are listed on the application form.
• Payments can be made by certified cheque or money order.
• Starting September 1, 2026, there will be new application fees for all Ravine and Natural Feature Protection permit applications.
• Ravine Tree (Non-Construction): $87.57 per tree
• Ravine Boundary/Neighbour Tree (Non-Construction): $183.03 per tree
• Ravine Tree (Construction): $262.72 per tree
• Ravine Boundary/Neighbour Tree (Construction): $549.08 per tree
• Alteration of Grade (No Trees): $632.51 per application
• These fees are non-refundable. Exemptions may be available for voluntary stewardship activities and certain eligible projects.

Meet the permit conditions

• Before issuing a permit to remove (destroy) or harm (injure) privately owned trees, the City requires the applicant to sign a document called Undertaking and Release, witnessed by another person.
• When an application involves construction, City staff require tree protection hoarding to be installed in accordance with an approved tree protection plan prior to issuing a permit.
• Tree removal permits are issued subject to the condition that the applicant plant new trees.
• Where there is inadequate space for replanting, the City will accept “cash-in-lieu” of replanting, in the amount of $583 per tree.
• For each tree to be planted on a City street or within a Ravine Protected Area (excluding trees in a stewardship/naturalization plan), the guarantee deposit is $583.00 per tree.
• You must post the permit in a conspicuous (noticeable) location visible from the street for one day prior to work beginning.