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Trees are so precious that almost every municipality wants to discourage their abusive felling. This is not surprising when you think of all the pleasures they provide us:
-To cool us in summer in periods of great heat. -Absorb sound or reduce erosion. -To constitute a site "recreational or of dwelling" privileged by the birds or by the urban fauna. Contribute to the creation of a soothing, nature-like setting. This is why Montreal, like many other municipalities, has regulations regarding tree cutting. It is essential that you refer to this bylaw for proper interpretation. This page is provided for your use only as an overview. |
As soon as you plan to cut down one of your trees, you must check if you need to apply for a certificate of authorization. The latter is what we commonly refer to as a tree cutting permit. A permit or certificate has a validity period, which varies according to the borough. Once this period is exceeded, the permit expires. In addition, you will often have to replace the felled tree with another one, which must itself meet certain conditions. Some species may also be banned. Once again, there are differences depending on the district concerned.
Another important point: What may seem to you to be only pruning may, by regulation, nevertheless require a felling permit, especially when more than half of the top is removed. It may also be required if you are raising the ground level or removing a large portion of the tree's roots or branches.
In Montreal, regulations vary by borough. Only a few general elements, not all, are mentioned here. To refer to your borough, you can start from this page to Apply for the permit to fell trees.
First of all, there is a definition that determines whether a plant is a tree. Thus, the trunk must have reached a certain diameter (variable according to the borough). This must be measured at a certain height from the ground (also variable according to the borough). To do this, with a tape measure the outline of the trunk in centimeters. Then, you divide your result by 3.14 (number pi); this gives you the diameter of your large plant.
Some boroughs allow the felling of certain species without a permit. Finally, felling without a permit when required is subject to fines, which can be very high.
Keep in mind that the edge of your property along the street or sidewalk is public. Therefore, you cannot cut down any trees that may be there.
Another important point: What may seem to you to be only pruning may, by regulation, nevertheless require a felling permit, especially when more than half of the top is removed. It may also be required if you are raising the ground level or removing a large portion of the tree's roots or branches.
In Montreal, regulations vary by borough. Only a few general elements, not all, are mentioned here. To refer to your borough, you can start from this page to Apply for the permit to fell trees.
First of all, there is a definition that determines whether a plant is a tree. Thus, the trunk must have reached a certain diameter (variable according to the borough). This must be measured at a certain height from the ground (also variable according to the borough). To do this, with a tape measure the outline of the trunk in centimeters. Then, you divide your result by 3.14 (number pi); this gives you the diameter of your large plant.
Some boroughs allow the felling of certain species without a permit. Finally, felling without a permit when required is subject to fines, which can be very high.
Keep in mind that the edge of your property along the street or sidewalk is public. Therefore, you cannot cut down any trees that may be there.
The acceptable reasons for applying for a permit are similar but may vary from one borough to another. For example, a tree that is dead is a generally accepted reason; the same is true if it is suffering from an incurable disease or if it presents potential safety problems (at risk of causing breakage, injuring people, spreading a disease) or if it hinders the growth of another specimen or if it hinders the completion of a construction project or the installation of a swimming pool or if it obstructs an access route. It is not usually permitted to cut down trees for simple inconvenience. If you are doing any work on your property, please remember to apply for a permit beforehand.
Some boroughs have made available a downloadable application pdf on their felling permit application page.
When you apply for your permit, you will need a copy of the certificate of location, a scale plan or a sketch; this depends on the borough. On one of these, you will lay out your trees by numbering them, specifying their species and their diameter if you know it. Finally, you will identify the tree or trees for which you are requesting a felling permit. The application must be signed by all the owners specified in the deed. A plan of the location of the replanted trees may sometimes be requested.
In addition, a letter of authorization from the co-owners, a resolution from the syndicate of co-owners, a power of attorney allowing you to act on behalf of the owners, proof of construction, the borough's authorization form for a patrimonial sector, a form from the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications du Québec, any relevant notice received from the City, etc. must also be attached to the application when applicable. Some boroughs require photographs of the trees to be cut down or an expert report (arborist recognized by the borough, agronomist or forestry engineer, etc.).
The borough of Saint-Léonard requires that you take the following steps before applying for a tree cutting permit: 1) contact the Accès Montréal office or 311, 2) an agent will visit your tree to determine if it needs to be cut down, and if so, 3) you can then apply for a permit.
An inspector may make an on-site visit following your application. Application review times vary. A fee is usually charged for the application (varies by borough), unless it is an ash tree (and sometimes other species as well), where it is usually free. Additional permits may be required, especially if you live on a patrimony site. Each borough has its own standards.
When you apply for your permit, you will need a copy of the certificate of location, a scale plan or a sketch; this depends on the borough. On one of these, you will lay out your trees by numbering them, specifying their species and their diameter if you know it. Finally, you will identify the tree or trees for which you are requesting a felling permit. The application must be signed by all the owners specified in the deed. A plan of the location of the replanted trees may sometimes be requested.
In addition, a letter of authorization from the co-owners, a resolution from the syndicate of co-owners, a power of attorney allowing you to act on behalf of the owners, proof of construction, the borough's authorization form for a patrimonial sector, a form from the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications du Québec, any relevant notice received from the City, etc. must also be attached to the application when applicable. Some boroughs require photographs of the trees to be cut down or an expert report (arborist recognized by the borough, agronomist or forestry engineer, etc.).
The borough of Saint-Léonard requires that you take the following steps before applying for a tree cutting permit: 1) contact the Accès Montréal office or 311, 2) an agent will visit your tree to determine if it needs to be cut down, and if so, 3) you can then apply for a permit.
An inspector may make an on-site visit following your application. Application review times vary. A fee is usually charged for the application (varies by borough), unless it is an ash tree (and sometimes other species as well), where it is usually free. Additional permits may be required, especially if you live on a patrimony site. Each borough has its own standards.
Here is the contact information for each of the boroughs where you can submit your application. However, it is recommended that you create an account and apply online. If you wish to go in person to the point of service that applies to you, it would be a good idea to validate the hours of operation and verify if an appointment is necessary.
- Ahuntsic-Cartierville: Accès Montréal Office - 555 Chabanel Street West, Suite 600, Montreal, Quebec H2N 2H8. Phone number: 514 872-0311. Email: ahuntsic-cartierville@ville.montreal.qc.ca
- Anjou: Permit Counter - 7171 Bombardier Street, 2nd floor, Montreal, Quebec J1J 2E9. Phone number: 514 493-8086. Email: amenagement.urbain@montreal.ca
- Côte-des-Neiges-Notre-Dame-de-Grâce: Permit Counter - 5160 Décarie Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec H3X 2H9. Phone number: 514 872-0311. Email: permis-construction-cdnndg@ville.montreal.qc.ca
- Lachine: Permit Counter - 1800 St. Joseph Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec H8S 2N4. Phone number: 514 634-3471. Email: permislachine@ville.montreal.qc.ca
- LaSalle: Permit Counter - 55 Dupras Avenue, Montreal, Quebec H8R 4A8. Phone number: 514 367-6732. Email: dause_lasalle@ville.montreal.qc.ca
- Le Plateau-Mont-Royal: Permit Counter - 201 Laurier Avenue East, 5th floor, Montreal, Quebec H2T 3E6. Phone number: 514 872-0311. Email : infopermisplateau@montreal.ca
- Le Sud-Ouest: Permit Counter - 815 Bel-Air Street, 1st floor, Montreal, Quebec H4C 2K4. Phone number: 514 872-0311. Email: permis-sud-ouest@ville.montreal.qc.ca
- L’Île-Bizard-Sainte-Geneviève: Permit counter - 406, montée de l'Église, L'Île-Bizard (Québec) H9C 1G9. Phone number: 514 872-0311. Email: ibsg.permisurbanisme@ville.montreal.qc.ca
- Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve: Permit Counter - 6854 Sherbrooke Street East, Montreal, Quebec H1N 1E1. Phone number: 514 872-6099.
- Montréal-Nord: Permit counter - 4241, place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville, Montreal (Quebec) H1H 1S4. Phone number: 514 328-4000 Poste 5. Email: permismtlnord@montreal.ca
- Outremont: Assistant Borough Director - Quality of Life: 600, avenue de la Gare-de-triage, Outremont (Québec) H2V 0A8.
- Pierrefonds-Roxborro: Permit Counter - 13665 Pierrefonds Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec H9A 2Z4. Phone number: 514 872-0311. Email: permis.pfdsrox@montreal.ca
- Rivière-des-Prairies-Pointe-aux-Trembles: Permit Counter - 12090 Notre-Dame Street East, Montreal, Quebec H1B 2Z1. Phone number: 514 868-4343. Email: dause-rdp-pat@ville.montreal.qc.ca
- Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie: Permit Counter - 5650 D'Iberville Street, 2nd floor, Montreal, Quebec H2G 2B3. Phone number: 514 872-0311.
- Saint-Laurent: Permit Counter - 777 Marcel-Laurin Boulevard, Gate 3, Montreal, Quebec H4M 2M7. Phone number: 514 872-0311.
- Saint-Léonard: Permit Counter - 8400 Lacordaire Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec H1R 3B1. Email us: permissle@montreal.ca
- Verdun: Permit Counter - 4555 Verdun Street, Suite 109, Montreal, Quebec H4G 1M4 Phone number: 514 872-0311. Email: verdun.permisinspections@montreal.ca
- Ville-Marie: Permit Counter - 800 De Maisonneuve Boulevard East, 17th floor, Montreal, Quebec H2L 4L8. Phone number: 514 872-0311. Email: permis.inspections.ville-marie@ville.montreal.qc.ca
- Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension: Permit Counter - 405 Ogilvy Avenue, Suite 111, Montreal, Quebec H3N 1M3 Phone number: 514 868-3509. Email: inspections-vspe@ville.montreal.qc.ca
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