Tree Cutting and Preservation

Regulated Trees include:

• Trees greater than 8 inches (20cm) in diameter measured at chest height and any species of Endangered Tree.

Regulated Lands include:

• Lands within 60 metres of the high-water mark of a Navigable Waterway.

• Lands within 70 metres of Highway 11.

• Lands within the Urban Centre or Muskoka Falls Community boundaries.

• Lands zoned as Environmental Protection or Flood Zones

• This by-law does not apply to lands zoned Rural (RU) or Rural Residential (RR) unless they fall within the distances from water or Highway 11 noted above.

If you are removing a tree near an existing building or septic system, a full permit is not required, but you must provide the Town with formal notification prior to its removal.

• This applies to trees within 5 metres (16' 5") of an occupied building or 6 metres (19' 8") of an existing septic system or any of its components.

• You must submit a digital notification including a sketch or photographs clearly showing the tree's proximity to the building or system.

• You will receive a response when your notification has been approved.

• There are no fees associated with this notification process.

In emergency situations where a tree poses an immediate hazard to persons or property, public safety is the priority.

• You may immediately injure or destroy a Critically Damaged tree without first providing notification. We strongly recommend contacting a licensed arborist to perform this dangerous work safely.

• Critical Damage includes large cracked or split trunks, significant broken limbs in hazardous positions, or partial uprooting.

• Mandatory Notification: Within 48 business hours of the removal, the owner must notify the Town and provide photographic evidence of the tree's condition before it was removed. You must also retain the stump or removed parts for potential inspection.

You are permitted to remove trees to facilitate new construction for which a Building Permit has already been issued.

• Distance Requirements: This exemption applies to trees within 5 metres (16' 5") of the new building or 6 metres (19' 8") of the new septic system.

• Requirements: A Building Permit must be issued prior to removing any exempted trees.

• No notification is required to be provided to the Town prior to the trees removal. 

For all other Regulated Tree removals that do not fall under the emergency or proximity categories above, you must apply for and obtain a Tree Cutting Permit before any work begins.

Generally, tree cutting permits will only be issued for Regulated Trees that are less than 15 inches (38cm) in diameter measured at chest height.

If you would like to remove a tree larger than this size we recommend you discuss your proposal directly with Town staff first (contact information below).

If appropriate the Director of Development Services may permit the issuance of permits for trees of larger sizes if the Regulated Tree is not located in a prohibited area such as a Wetland, a high-slope area (over 20%), or a required shoreline buffer. If approved, financial securities and/or the planting of new trees may be a requirement of the issuance of any Tree Cutting Permit.

What you need to apply:

• Site Plan: A sketch of the property and/or photographs clearly identifying any significant nearby features (lakes, streams, wetlands), and indicating the specific trees to be removed.

• Fee: Payment of the non-refundable fee as per the Town's Fees and Charges By-law.

• Consents: Written consent from the owner (if the applicant is not the owner) or the neighbor (if it is a Boundary Tree).

• Arborist Report: May be required if the tree has suffered major damage or if deemed necessary by the Officer or the Director of Development Services.