Tree Regulations and Plans

Tree Preservation By-law

Brampton is committed to maintaining a healthy urban forest. That means protecting the trees in parks, public spaces and on private property. This by-law provides clear guidelines on the circumstances under which trees on private property may or may not be removed. Read the City's Tree Preservation By-law here.

A permit is not required to remove a tree located within 2 metres (6 feet 6 inches) of an occupied building.
A permit is not required to remove a trees with a diameter of less than 30 centimetres (12 inches) measured at 1.37 metres height from the ground.

The Application to Injure or Destroy a Tree on Private Land is available here.

Woodlot Conservation By-law

The City of Brampton's Woodlot Conservation By-law was adopted to protect and conserve woodlands/woodlots in Brampton. Read the City's Woodlot Conservation By-law here.

A permit is required when making alterations to a woodland/woodlot outside of the formal development approval process (e.g. re-zoning, plan of subdivision, site plan, etc.).

The City defines a “woodlot” as a portion of land that is at least 0.2 hectares in area that has:

200 trees, of any size, per 0.2 hectare;
150 trees, measuring over five (5) centimetres DBH, per 0.2 hectare;
100 trees, measuring over twelve (12) centimetres DBH, per 0.2 hectare; or
50 trees, measuring over twenty (20) centimetres DBH, per 0.2 hectare.

This by-law does not extend or include cultivated fruit or nut orchards, or a plantation established for the purpose of producing Christmas trees or nursery stock.

The Application to Permit the Injury or Destruction of Trees within Woodlots is available here.

To ensure good forestry practices are implemented during the removal of trees within a woodlot, a Silvicultural Prescription must be included with your application. A Silvicultural Prescription is a site-specific plan that describes the long-term woodlot management objectives.

Tree Plans and Strategic Documents

Urban Forest Management Plan

The City of Brampton approved its first Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP) in August 2022. The UFMP provides strategic guidance intended to maximize the environmental, social, economic and health benefits that trees provide to the community. The plan consists of 36 action items, 7 guiding principles and 14 objectives focusing on 5 strategic goals, serving as ten year guide aiming to preserve and enhance Brampton's urban forest.

Brampton 2040 Vision

The Brampton 2040 Vision is a strategic plan that conceptualizes how the City of Brampton will evolve until 2040, and sets out seven target visions, including “Vision 1: Sustainability and the Environment” that calls for planting one million trees in the public and semi-public realm of Brampton by 2040 (Action #1-3).

Brampton Grow Green Environmental Master Plan

The Brampton Grow Green Environmental Master Plan (EMP) aims to conserve, enhance, and balance the City’s natural and built environments to create a healthier, resilient, and environmentally sustainable city. It provides goals, actions, and targets for improving Brampton’s environmental performance in the areas of People, Air, Water, Land, Energy, and Waste. Directions for the urban forest fall within the Land category, such as expanding tree canopy cover by increasing tree planting requirements on new developments, and developing a tree inventory.

Brampton One Million Trees Program

In February 2020, Brampton Council approved the Brampton One Million Trees Program, which calls for the planting of one million new trees in Brampton by 2040.

Natural Heritage & Environmental Management Strategy (NHEMS)

The Natural Heritage and Environmental Management Strategy (NHEMS) outlines a proactive approach to ensure that the abundance of natural heritage and built green spaces found in the city are conserved, restored, connected, and enhanced to support the green diversity and health of the natural and built environments. The goals, objectives, and actions support the maximization of ecosystem structure, function, and services.

Natural Heritage Restoration Program

The Natural Heritage Restoration Program (NHRP) was established to restore and naturalize areas within the natural heritage system, parks, and infrastructure to address the historical conditions and current impacts on the natural heritage system. It focuses on actions to restore currently degraded natural areas to improve their ecological function. The NHRP emphasizes tree planting in public spaces, such as parks, boulevards, and other open spaces as an important restoration method.

Eco Parks Strategy

In January 2020, City Council approved the Brampton Eco Park Strategy. Brampton Eco Park is made up of a network of sustainable urban/green spaces, referred to as Eco Spaces, that better integrate residents with the natural environment. Brampton Eco Park will contribute to the protection and enhancement of the city's urban forest.

Tree Standards and Guidelines

Landscape Development Guidelines

The Landscape Development Guidelines assist landowners, developers, and consultants in the development of public open space within the Brampton. It outlines the process and minimum design requirements for areas such as parks, streetscapes, environmental buffers, and storm water management facilities associated with new development.

Tableland Tree Assessment Guidelines

The Tableland Tree Assessment Guidelines have been prepared as part of the City’s ongoing process to coordinate technical report requirements for planning applications to help update and streamline Block Plan, Draft Plan and Site Plan review and approval.

Woodland Management Plan Guidelines

All woodlands that are to be dedicated to the City must be assessed and remediated as necessary prior to their dedication, such that there will be no adverse short and long-term safety or maintenance issues. The Woodlot Management Plan Guidelines outline the requirements for these activities.

Development Design Guidelines

The Development Design Guidelines (DDGs) are intended to establish basic community design standards for new communities