Call before you cut!
Tree Preservation Bylaw in effect.

Markham enacted its Tree Preservation Bylaw - regulating the destruction or injury of trees - for all properties on June 24, 2008. The bylaw is effective immediately.

The Tree Preservation Bylaw was adopted by Council to support a greener community and a healthier environment. It exists to preserve significant trees on all properties within the Town and to sustain Markham's urban forest.

Call before you cut! - Permit required 
Property owners must apply for a permit before injuring or destroying any tree in Markham with a trunk diameter of 20 cm (about 8 inches) or more, measured at 1.37 metres (about 54 inches) above the ground at the base of the tree.

Anyone contravening the Tree Preservation Bylaw and found guilty of an offence will be subject to penalties.

Permit Process
Note: This process applies to both permit applications and bylaw exemption requests. 

1. Fill out the application form.
   
   
2. Submit the completed application in person to the Contact Centre, Unionville Entrance at the Markham Civic Centre, 101 Town Centre Blvd.
   
   
3. If your tree is exempt, no permit fee is required. A written confirmation – a permit – will be issued by Markham.
   
   
4. Where a permit is applicable, fees may apply.
   
   
5. Applications can take up to 30 days to process.

Following the review of a permit application, the Town may determine the removal of the tree does not require a permit and will refund any fees paid or confirm that a site inspection is required.

Other requirements

A report from a qualified tree expert may be required as a condition of permit approval, but is not required for the initial permit application.

Bylaw Exemptions

Exemptions under the bylaw may be granted. The property owner is required to complete and submit the same permit application when requesting an exemption to the bylaw. Upon approval of exemption, Markham staff will issue a permit to allow the tree to be removed.

Exemptions are considered for:

• hazard tree removal
• emergency work removal
• work on dead, dying or diseased trees as defined in the bylaw
• orders issued under any property standards bylaw
• maintenance or pruning (not more than one-third of the live branches) in accordance with professional practices
• tree removal on rooftop gardens, in indoor courtyards, solariums or raised podiums
• nursery business trees
• cultivated orchard trees
• removal authorized or required under a municipal building permit.

A permit is not required if:

• a tree is removed by the municipality or local board as defined in the Municipal Act
• a tree is removed under an approved site plan, plan of subdivision or development permit

Trees in woodlots and woodlands are covered by the Region of York Bylaw, and are also exempt from the Town's permit process.

Refer to Section 4 of the Tree Preservation Bylaw for the details of these exemptions.

Contact Information

For more information contact Markham's Contact Centre at 905-477-5530 or customerservice@markham.ca

• Tree Preservation Bylaw FAQs ( 296k/2p)
• Markham Trees for Tomorrow
• Urban Forestry
• How to look after your boulevard tree
• Emerald Ash Borer
• Asian Long Horned Beetle

• Application to Permit Injury or Destruction of Trees ( 70k/3p)
  Complete form and deliver in person to the Markham Civic Centre. This application is used for both permit application and bylaw exemptions.
  
  
• Tree Preservation By-Law 2008-96 ( 52k/10p)
  
  
• By-Law 2008-97 A by-law to amend Fee By-Law 2002-276 ( 25k/1p)

• York Region Forestry Conservation By-Law 
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency (Forestry)
  
• Species at Risk Act
  
• Municipal Act