Contact the Community Design, Parks Planning and Development Division, Open Space Design and Construction within the Planning, Design, and Development Department at 905-874-2334 to speak with a Landscape Architect.

Brampton’s Tree Conservation By-law is intended to: Promote good forestry practices to support a healthy urban forest; Control removal, maintenance and protection of our trees; Protect, promote and enhance the value of our trees; Support our quality of life through the maintenance of our tree cover; Maintain and improve water quality and avoid erosion; Reduce pollution in the air.

The City of Brampton appreciates the value of all trees within our community. In an effort to maintain and protect the tree canopy of Brampton, Council passed a by-law to control arbitrary cutting of trees and promote their importance within our community.

Private property owners do not need a permit if their tree belongs to one of the following categories: Trees located within 5 meters (16’ 3”) of an occupied building – these measurements are from the edge of the building to the centre of the trunk; Trees with a diameter of under 40 centimetres (16’) at 1.37 metres height from the ground; If the tree is a (hyperlink to photo) a Manitoba Maple, Siberian (Chinese) Elm, Buckthorn, Poplar – these tree varieties do not require a permit for removal; Hazardous trees that have been inspected and approved by City Forestry staff. An Arborist from the City will inspect the tree; if it is dead or dying or appears seriously damaged and unsafe; Trees located within the area in which a building is to be constructed, where a building permit for construction has been issued; Tree-works required as a result of emergency situations potentially causing danger to people or property. *Call the City’s Parks Maintenance and Operations Division at 905-874-2906 for more information about obtaining a permit.

The following examples of requests for tree removal may be denied. They are not reasonable grounds for removing a tree: Leaves/fruit/seeds of the tree are a nuisance; Leaves fill the eaves troughs and are a nuisance; Leaves from the tree are plugging the catch basin; Seeds from the tree are unsightly; Residents are unable to clean up the leaves/fruit/seeds; Because of age or physical ability; Insects attracted to the tree are a nuisance; The tree is shading the garden/patio/turf; The tree is blocking the streetlight; The tree is obstructing a view; The tree roots are growing into the water/sewer line; The tree roots are damaging a walkway/driveway; The tree does not meet private landscaping plans; The tree roots come through the lawn, interfering with lawn mowing. In order not to negatively affect the health or structure of a tree, the City may recommend other actions to lessen a particular problem or nuisance.

Tree removal requests are considered under any of the following scenarios: Individual trees are deemed inappropriate for the space they occupy within the landscape; The investigating arborist determines there has been a history of valid, repeat maintenance calls as a result of the tree’s weak wood; The investigating arborist considers the continual weak woods of the tree will present major maintenance problems in the future; The investigating arborist determined there is major limb presenting a potential hazard to people or property; The investigating arborist determines overhanging branch(s) of the tree cannot be removed without ruining the structure of the tree or causing potential hazard; If a removal permit is approved, it may include conditions calling for replacement trees to be planted; More than 30% of the crown of the tree is dead; More than 30% of the crown is infected by disease.

The City’s Urban Forestry Section is responsible for investigating any complaints or concerns regarding the possible illegal removal or injury of trees. Call the City’s Parks Maintenance and Operations Division at 905-874-2906 or email forestry@brampton.ca if you have any concerns.

In summer 2008, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed the presence of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in Brampton and other neighbouring municipalities. While the EAB poses no risk to humans or pets, it is an invasive species of beetle, not native to North America, which attacks and kills all species of ash trees. EAB does not spread quickly on its own. In fact, it is most commonly spread when people move wood which it has been infested. Moving infested wood, even just a few kilometers away, can spread the Emerald Ash Borer to new areas. Residents can play a key part in helping to control the spread of EAB by not moving firewood, logs, branches, nursery stock, chips or other ash wood products. In an effort to prevent the spread of EAB, the CFIA has issued a Ministerial Order identifying the Regions of Peel (including Brampton), Halton, York and Durham, as well as the Cities of Hamilton and Toronto as a quarantine zone for ash tree material and firewood of all types. The order restricts the movement of these materials out of this area without prior permission from CFIA. Movement of yard waste outside of the regulated area is also prohibited, as it may contain ash tree bark, branches or trimmings. There is no immediate need to cut down ash trees on your property. Affected trees will eventually die, however, trees do not need to be cut down or removed until they become a hazard. If a resident suspects an ash tree on their property is infected, they should contact a certified arborist to confirm this. The City of Brampton is committed to the preservation of our urban tree canopy as part of our community’s rich natural environment. The City is working with Region of Peel and the CFIA to address this issue. For more information on EAB, please visit the CFIA’s website. For handling of wood materials and the disposal of yard waste, please visit the Region of Peel website at or call 905-791-9499.