Arborist reports in Ottawa

Ottawa's Tree Protection By-law (2020-340) came into effect on January 1, 2021. A City tree permit application is a Tree Information Report prepared by an arborist, submitted online. The by-law's definition of an arborist includes a certified arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture, an arborist qualified by the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, a consulting arborist registered with the American Society of Consulting Arborists, a Registered Professional Forester, or a person with similar qualifications. You need one when you are:

• Removing a distinctive tree: a private tree 30 cm or more in diameter at 1.3 m above the ground, on a lot of one hectare or less inside the urban area
• Removing a City-owned tree, anywhere in Ottawa
• Building infill: a report is required with Committee of Adjustment and building permit applications in the urban area
• Relying on the dead-tree exemption, which applies to a tree confirmed dead by an arborist

Not sure if your tree counts? We tell you first whether it needs a permit at all.

Schedule C of the by-law sets out two versions. A short report covers a removal with no development involved: location, species, size, ownership and condition of each tree, the reason for removing it, and the arborist's recommendation. A full report for infill development adds site plans, protection measures for the trees being kept, boundary tree consent and replacement trees.

Worth it if a large tree sits near your house, your neighbour's property or the sidewalk, or you notice fungus, discoloured leaves or dead branches. A tree can look healthy and still have problems an arborist can spot while they are small.

One company answers the permit question, writes the report and does the work once the permit is issued: removal, pruning and stump grinding, anywhere in the City of Ottawa.