The Oakville tree by-law

Can I cut down a tree in my yard?

Only with a permit if the trunk is 15 centimetres or more in diameter at chest height. A permit is also required to remove any tree that an approved site plan required to be kept or planted, and any tree planted through the Town's partnership program for larger replacement street trees on private property. Property owners apply for the permit and an on-site consultation before removing the tree.

Woodlands and greenlands are governed instead by Halton Region's Tree By-law 121-05. Removing a tree without a permit is subject to fees and charges under the Administrative Penalty By-law 2021-038.

• Private tree removal permit application
• The by-law

Source: Town of Oakville, Private Tree Protection By-law

Whose tree is it?

Ownership follows the land, not who planted the tree: a tree on private property is the owner's, and a tree in the municipal right of way (a boulevard or road allowance) is the Town's. The owner is responsible for the tree's care and health.

The Town suggests checking your property survey, or asking the Town, to find the property line before planting or removing anything near it.

Source: Town of Oakville, Private tree protection

Do I have to replace a tree I remove?

The Town's page asks owners who must remove a tree to consider replacing it with a native species, and points to the Ontario Tree Atlas and its own tree-planting page for species and care. Replacement conditions on a specific permit are set through the permit and consultation.

Source: Town of Oakville, Private tree protection

Can I prune or remove the street tree in front of my house?

No. Street trees on municipal property are protected by the Town Tree Protection By-law and maintained by the Town's Urban Forestry section, which regulates planting, care, maintenance and removal on Town land.

Source: Town of Oakville, Tree protection and removal

The Town's crab apple tree in front of my house is dying. Can it be removed?

A resident can ask for a Town-owned crab apple street tree to be removed if it appears to be in decline or infested with apple scab. The permit costs $182, and the applicant pays for removal, stumping and the replacement tree, priced by size and condition. Removal can take four weeks after approval; a tree removed in spring is replaced in the fall, one removed in another season the following spring.

Source: Town of Oakville, Tree protection and removal (crab apple trees)

I am renovating. What do the tree rules require?

Council approved an updated Tree Protection and Tree Canopy Preservation Policy on February 25, 2019, and the Town has a Town Tree Protection During Construction procedure. Depending on the project you may need a building permit, a driveway permit, a park access permit, or a Tree Protection Zone Encroachment application, and any site alteration is subject to a mandatory review of existing trees.

• Tree protection and removal (policies and applications)

Source: Town of Oakville, Tree protection and removal (construction near trees)

Where do I read the Town's canopy guidance?

The Town publishes a Canopy Cover Plan and Guidelines and a Tree Stature for Planting and Replacement guide for owners planning home or garden work around trees.

• Private tree protection (Canopy Cover Plan and Guidelines)

Source: Town of Oakville, Private tree protection