Do I need a permit to cut down a tree?

Trees & tree removal — Perth, Ontario: Tree By-law 4132 (+1 more)

In the Town of Perth, Ontario, trees & tree removal rules are set by Tree By-law 4132 and 1 other bylaw, verified 2026-09-25. Fines: not more than two thousand ($2,000.00) dollars, exclusive of costs. A permit is required. Protected threshold: All trees on Town/Corporation property.

Tree By-law 4132 adopted bylaw

permit required	yes	s. 12: no person shall cut or otherwise remove branches, injure, remove, or cut down any tree; s. 14(h): removal only upon receipt of written permission from the Director
applies to private property	no	Preamble: "protection, maintenance and control of trees on Town property"
protected threshold	All trees on Town/Corporation property	s. 12: "any tree planted or growing on property of the Corporation"
replacement required	Utility construction: replace with at least 7.5 cm calliper trees D.B.H. at utility's expense (s.3); nuisance tree removal: replacement trees totalling diameter of removed tree, min 2.5 cm per tree, at $75.00 per 2.5 cm average diameter (s.4A(a),(c)); construction damage: replacement of at least 3 inch calliper D.B.H. (s.14(i)); street reconstruction: like number or greater, at least 3 inch calliper D.B.H. (s.16)	s. 3; s. 4A(a),(c); s. 14(i); s. 16
boulevard trees	Do-it-Yourself Program allows adjacent owners to request small calliper trees (<7.6 cm D.B.H.) for boulevard planting; Corporation maintains after 12 months	s. 19
fine range	not more than two thousand ($2,000.00) dollars, exclusive of costs	s. 17: "fine of not more than two thousand ($2,000.00) dollars, exclusive of costs"

scout note

Protects, maintains and controls trees on Town property (streets, parks, public land); regulates removal of nuisance or forest-type trees and repeals earlier tree by-laws.

Tree Conservation By-law 4892 adopted bylaw

permit required	yes	s. 4.1 "Where a permit is required under this By-Law"
applies to private property	yes	s. 2.1 "this by-law applies to all lands within the jurisdiction of the Town of Perth"
replacement required	The Director may specify tree relocation or compensation costs for replacement to be applied to the reforestation on the property or for reforestation elsewhere in the Municipality.	s. 6.2
fine range	First offence: not more than $10,000.00 or $1,000 per tree, whichever is greater; second and subsequent offences: not more than $25,000.00 or $2,500 per tree, whichever is greater.	s. 11.1.1, s. 11.1.2

scout note

Prohibits or regulates injuring/destroying trees on private property; a permit (with fee) is required to remove regulated trees or woodlots, enforceable under the Municipal Act.