The Private Tree By-law prohibits or regulates the injuring or destruction of trees on private property in Barrie. This page contains highlights from by-law. Please refer to the Private Tree By-law (PDF) for full information.
This by-law applies to all trees in woodlots—forested area of ½ acre in size or larger—within the boundaries of the City of Barrie. The typical residential lot does not require a tree removal permit to remove a tree from private property, unless it is part of a development application (e.g. subdivision).
As it pertains to woodlots, without first obtaining a permit under this by-law no person shall:
- cause or permit the injury or destruction of a tree that is on the owner’s land.
- injure or destroy a tree.
A permit would not be issued if it would result in injury or destruction of endangered species or Heritage Trees.
If there is a conflict between this by-law and a by-law passed under the Forestry Act or Municipal Act, the provision that is most restrictive of the injuring or destruction of trees prevails.
2023 By-law Updates
In 2022, the City consulted with landowners, residents, environmental advocacy groups, land developers and businesses to get feedback on preferences regarding the preferred approach to regulating private individual tree removal.
The results of the consultation are included in a staff report dated April 5, 2023 for consideration by General Committee.
The current protection of all trees within half-acre woodlots remains in place. Building on last year's Private Tree By-law public consultation, and reaction to Bill 23, the City is adding initiatives to strive towards stronger environmental regulation, which will further protect, preserve and add more trees to Barrie’s tree canopy.
The following changes were approved at the April 19, 2023 City Council meeting:
- The City’s tree by-law includes an ecological offsetting fee of $57,500 per hectare of woodland removal, and $500 per tree for individual tree replacement value, as an interim measure until an ecological offsetting policy gets Council approval, with woodlots with an area greater than .5 hectares in the Nottawasaga Conservation Authority areas purchased prior to April 5, 2023, being exempt from these fees.
- An ecological offsetting policy to allow the City to use money collected from the tree removal permit process to plant more trees. This includes the creation and restoration of forest habitat on City-owned lands and a tree planting grant program to subsidize tree planting on private property.
- A tree by-law standards subcommittee will be formed to review and update tree protection standards, explore more community partnerships, and develop education programs to plant more trees on private land.
- The description of a “Certified Arborist” will be added to the definitions in the current Private Tree By-law.