Tree removal permit rejection reasons in Montreal: what the city won't accept

Removing a tree on private property in Montreal requires a permit in virtually every borough. The City of Montreal's official permit page outlines the process, but what it doesn't spell out as clearly is what gets your application rejected. Understanding the common reasons for refusal before you apply saves time, money, and frustration.

When you need a permit

Most Montreal boroughs require a felling permit for any tree with a trunk 10 cm or more in diameter, measured 1.4 m from the ground. Some boroughs set the bar lower:

• Anjou: 5 cm or more at 1.4 m height
• Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension: more than 8 cm at 1.3 m height
• Lachine: more than 10 cm at 1.3 m height

You also need a permit in many boroughs if you plan to raise the ground level more than 20 cm beneath a tree's branches or remove significant portions of branches or roots.

What the city considers valid reasons

Permits are generally approved when the tree:

• Is dead or in irreversible decline
• Is causing documented structural damage to your foundation
• Poses a genuine public safety hazard (risk of falling)
• Has a disease that could spread to neighbouring trees
• Is an invasive species (Rhamnus/buckthorn is specifically noted in some boroughs like Ahuntsic-Cartierville)
• Sits where approved construction requires its removal

Reasons that will get your application rejected

Here's where homeowners run into trouble. The following are explicitly listed as insufficient grounds for a tree removal permit in Montreal:

"It drops leaves, blossoms, sap, or twigs"

This is the most common complaint, and boroughs are clear about it: a tree that sheds organic material is behaving normally. Leaves on your lawn, sap on your car, or blossoms in your pool aren't valid reasons for removal.

"It produces pollen" or "it attracts wildlife"

Allergy concerns and the presence of birds, squirrels, or insects aren't grounds for felling. Trees are expected to be part of the urban ecosystem.

"The roots are visible"

Surface roots are a cosmetic issue, not a structural one, unless you can document that the roots are actually damaging your foundation, sewer lines, or other infrastructure. Visible roots alone don't qualify.

"It blocks my view" or "it shades my yard too much"

A tree providing shade is considered a benefit under Montreal's urban canopy goals, not a problem. Obstructed views of the skyline or a neighbour's property don't qualify either.

"It hinders the growth of more valuable trees"

In most boroughs, you can't remove one tree to benefit another unless the situation involves a documented disease risk or the tree is already dead.

The tree is on public property

If the tree sits on the city-owned strip between the sidewalk and the street (the tree lawn), it belongs to the borough. You can't apply for a private felling permit for a public tree. Contact your borough directly about public tree concerns.

Required documents for a strong application

To avoid delays or outright rejection, prepare the following before you apply:

• Certificate of location with tree positions, diameters, and species marked
• Photographs of the tree showing the issue (damage, disease, lean)
• Expert arborist report (required in some boroughs, strongly recommended everywhere)
• Power of attorney if someone is applying on your behalf
• Co-owner authorization for condominiums

Some boroughs have additional requirements. The Town of Mount Royal, for example, requires heritage authorization forms and separate arborist assessments.

The replacement tree obligation

Getting your permit approved is only half the process. Most boroughs mandate that you plant a replacement tree within 6 to 12 months of felling. Requirements vary:

• Minimum trunk diameter: typically 3 to 5 cm at specified height
• Minimum height: usually 1.5 to 3 metres
• Species requirements: some boroughs require native or diverse species

In Ahuntsic-Cartierville, the replacement tree must have "a trunk at least three cm in diameter, measured 1.4 m from the ground, and a total height of at least three metres."

Penalties for skipping the permit

Felling a tree without a permit carries serious fines. In Cote-des-Neiges-Notre-Dame-de-Grace, the city warns that fines range from $600 to $15,000 depending on the number of trees felled. Other boroughs impose similar penalties, and you'll still be required to plant replacement trees.

Permit fees and processing times

Fees vary significantly by borough:

• Ahuntsic-Cartierville: $133 per application
• Anjou: $75 to $150
• Saint-Leonard: $158 per tree
• Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension: $64 to $190

Processing times range from as little as six days to as long as 10 weeks, depending on the borough and the complexity of the request. Apply well before your planned construction or landscaping start date.

How to improve your chances

1. Get an arborist report first. A professional assessment documenting disease, structural instability, or infrastructure damage is the strongest supporting evidence you can provide.
2. Be specific about the problem. "The tree is annoying" gets rejected. "The tree has a 40-degree lean toward the house and the arborist has documented internal decay" gets approved.
3. Propose a quality replacement. Showing the borough you have a replanting plan with appropriate species demonstrates good faith.
4. Apply through the correct channel. Some boroughs use online systems (Saint-Laurent has an online permit assistant), while others accept mail submissions.

Need help with your landscape plan?

Whether you need to work around an existing tree or redesign your yard after a permitted removal, Montreal Paysagement Pro can help. Call us at 514-900-3867 for a free phone or video estimate.