Consultation on Streamlining the provisions for Distinctive Trees in the Tree Protection By-law

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We are looking for your feedback on a proposed amendment to the City of Ottawa’s Tree Protection By-law. The amendment would reduce the size of distinctive trees in the suburban area of Ottawa from 50 centimeters to 30 centimeters in diameter measured at breast height. This would bring the tree by-law permitting rules for the suburbs in line with those for the inner urban area of Ottawa.

Background:

The City of Ottawa’s Tree Protection By-law came into effect on January 1st, 2021. The tree by-law establishes which trees in Ottawa require a permit for removal, based on tree size, ownership, and location within the City. For detailed information on how the Tree By-law applies in your area, please visit: Tree Protection By-law.

For trees on private properties in the urban area that are one hectare or less in size, a permit is required to remove “distinctive trees” which are defined as:

  • Trees measuring 30 cm or more in diameter at breast height within the inner urban area (urban lands inside the Greenbelt)
  • Trees measuring 50 cm or more in diameter at breast height within the suburban area (urban lands outside the Greenbelt)

This difference means that more trees are protected by the Tree Protection By-law in the inner urban area than in the suburban area of Ottawa. This has caused confusion amongst residents around how the tree by-law applies. It implies that smaller trees in the suburbs are less valuable, which is not the case. In fact, the City of Ottawa is committed to protecting and growing the canopy cover across the urban area.

You can find information on how to measure a tree here.

In June 2022, Council directed staff to bring forward a report on amending the Tree Protection By-law to reduce the size of a Distinctive Tree in the suburban area of Ottawa from 50 cm to 30 cm in diameter measured at breast height, following public consultation on the proposed change.

Do you support this amendment to the Tree Protection By-law? Please provide your feedback by answering our survey by October 10, 2023.

We are looking for your feedback on a proposed amendment to the City of Ottawa’s Tree Protection By-law. The amendment would reduce the size of distinctive trees in the suburban area of Ottawa from 50 centimeters to 30 centimeters in diameter measured at breast height. This would bring the tree by-law permitting rules for the suburbs in line with those for the inner urban area of Ottawa.

Background:

The City of Ottawa’s Tree Protection By-law came into effect on January 1st, 2021. The tree by-law establishes which trees in Ottawa require a permit for removal, based on tree size, ownership, and location within the City. For detailed information on how the Tree By-law applies in your area, please visit: Tree Protection By-law.

For trees on private properties in the urban area that are one hectare or less in size, a permit is required to remove “distinctive trees” which are defined as:

  • Trees measuring 30 cm or more in diameter at breast height within the inner urban area (urban lands inside the Greenbelt)
  • Trees measuring 50 cm or more in diameter at breast height within the suburban area (urban lands outside the Greenbelt)

This difference means that more trees are protected by the Tree Protection By-law in the inner urban area than in the suburban area of Ottawa. This has caused confusion amongst residents around how the tree by-law applies. It implies that smaller trees in the suburbs are less valuable, which is not the case. In fact, the City of Ottawa is committed to protecting and growing the canopy cover across the urban area.

You can find information on how to measure a tree here.

In June 2022, Council directed staff to bring forward a report on amending the Tree Protection By-law to reduce the size of a Distinctive Tree in the suburban area of Ottawa from 50 cm to 30 cm in diameter measured at breast height, following public consultation on the proposed change.

Do you support this amendment to the Tree Protection By-law? Please provide your feedback by answering our survey by October 10, 2023.

  • Update on the consultation

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    The Consultation on Streamlining the Provisions for Distinctive Trees in the Tree Protection By-law, conducted from September 21st to October 10th, elicited an encouraging response from residents of Ottawa. A total of 1087 responses poured in from various corners of our city, offering valuable insights into the proposed changes.

    Among the diverse perspectives shared, 70% of respondents advocated for an amendment to the Tree Protection By-law. The suggested will reduce the size classification of Distinctive Trees in suburban areas. The proposed change entails revising the diameter measurement from 50 centimetres to 30 centimetres at breast height.

    The results gleaned from this extensive public engagement endeavour have led our staff to recommend that the council consider approving this proposed amendment.

    For those eager to delve deeper into the staff report, you can access it here.

    Your active participation and insightful contributions have been instrumental in shaping the direction of our city's tree protection policies.

    Thank you for your continued engagement and valuable input throughout this process.

Page last updated: 16 Nov 2023, 09:26 AM