Trees & tree removal — Stratford, Ontario

Do I need a permit to cut down a tree?

In the City of Stratford, Ontario, trees & tree removal rules are set by Private Tree By-law 86-2020 and 1 other bylaw, verified 2026-09-25. Fines: Minimum $500, maximum $100,000 per offence; continuing/multiple offences: $500–$10,000 per day/tree with no total cap. A permit is required. Protected threshold: Any tree (any species) with DBH of 30 centimetres or greater on private property.

Private Tree By-law 86-2020 adopted bylaw

permit required	yes	s. 3(1): "No Person shall, without first obtaining a Permit...cause or permit Injury or Destruction"
applies to private property	yes	s. 3(1): "Injury or Destruction of any Private Tree in the City"
protected threshold	Any tree (any species) with DBH of 30 centimetres or greater on private property	s. 3(1): "trunk diameter of 30 centimetres or greater DBH"
replacement required	1–4 replacement trees depending on DBH of removed tree (30–50cm: 1 tree/$400; 51–75cm: 2/$800; 76–100cm: 3/$1200; >100cm: 4/$1600); cash-in-lieu to City's Urban Forest fund permitted if on-site planting not possible	Schedule "C": Replacement Trees table and s. 6(5)(e)
fine range	Minimum $500, maximum $100,000 per offence; continuing/multiple offences: $500–$10,000 per day/tree with no total cap	s. 13(1)(a)–(c)

scout note

Requires a permit before injuring or destroying any private tree with a trunk diameter of 30 cm or more at breast height (1.37 m above ground). Exemptions include trees under 30 cm DBH, City work for municipal purposes, emergency tree work, pruning in accordance with good arboricultural or forestry practices, removal of dead, terminally diseased or hazardous trees confirmed by

Stratford Street Tree By-law 5-2003 adopted bylaw

permit required	yes	s. 4.1 "without the prior written authorization of the Director"
applies to private property	no	s. 1.1 / s. 2.4 "tree means any shade or ornamental tree...located on...a public highway"
replacement required	cost for the Director to effect such removal, relocation or replacement, including such costs for loss of amenity as the Director may determine	s. 7.1
boulevard trees	All trees on public highways; planting, care, and removal supervised by Director; written authorization required.	s. 3.1 "planting, care and removal of all trees shall be under the supervision of the Director"
fine range	not more than $5,000	s. 11.1

scout note

Governs planting, maintenance, protection and removal of shade/ornamental trees on City highways (boulevards/street trees); authorizes the Director to plant, trim or remove trees on public rights-of-way, including decayed or hazardous trees.

Machine-readable: trees.json · Official website: http://www.city.stratford.on.ca/ · Last verified 2026-09-25 · Trees & tree removal across Ontario · Trees & tree removal in other municipalities