Urban Tree Conservation by-law takes full effect September 1

The City of Ottawa’s Urban Tree Conservation By-law, which places restrictions on the cutting of trees on private property in urban Ottawa, takes full effect on September 1, 2009.
Under the by-law, owners of urban properties larger than one hectare are required to produce a City-approved tree conservation report to remove a tree 10 centimetres or greater in diameter. This portion of the by-law came into effect when the by-law was passed by City Council on June 24, 2009.
As of September 1, owners of urban properties one hectare or less in size must obtain a permit from the City to remove a tree that is 50 centimetres (20 inches) in diameter or greater. There is no permit fee.
The by-law does not apply to rural properties, with the exception of a small area in the city’s east end between the urban boundary and Ted Kelly Lane, nor does it apply to normal farming practices, orchards, tree farms, golf courses and cemeteries anywhere in the city.
The goal of the by-law is to protect the city’s urban forest. Before enactment of the by-law, the City had no process in place to prevent the clearing of forests in suburban areas before development occurred, nor could it regulate the cutting of large, distinctive trees that stand out in the city’s urban communities.
Unauthorized removal or destruction of the trees covered under the by-law could result in fines ranging from $500 to $100,000, with the exception of the contravention of a stop work order, where the fine is not limited to $100,000.
For more information on the Urban Tree Conservation By-law, visit ottawa.ca/urbantree, e-mail urbantree@ottawa.ca, or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401).

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