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

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 1^st, 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.