Tree removal permits in Montreal: costs, rules, and replacement requirements

Cutting down a tree on your Montreal property without a permit can result in fines reaching up to $15,000. The rules vary by borough, but the core message is the same: you need permission first. What follows is a detailed guide to tree removal permits across the island, based on the City of Montreal's official tree felling page.

When you need a permit

In most Montreal boroughs, you need a tree-felling permit for any tree with a trunk diameter of 10 cm or more, measured at 1.4 metres from the ground (roughly chest height). Some boroughs set a lower threshold:

• 5 cm diameter: Anjou, Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension
• 8 cm diameter: Le Plateau-Mont-Royal, Westmount
• 10 cm diameter: Most other boroughs

To measure diameter, wrap a measuring tape around the trunk and divide the circumference by 3.14. According to the city, this calculation determines whether your tree falls under the permit requirement.

You also need a permit if you're planning to raise the ground level by more than 20 cm beneath a tree's canopy, or if you intend to remove 40 to 50 percent of a tree's branches or roots.

Approved reasons for tree removal

The city won't approve a permit without a valid reason. According to the City of Montreal, approved reasons include:

• The tree is dead or irreversibly declining
• It's causing significant property damage
• It poses a public safety hazard
• It's diseased or spreading an invasive species
• It's located where a building will be constructed (typically within 3 metres of a main building or projected support wall)
• It's interfering with a swimming pool, parking area, or building access
• It's a buckthorn (nerprun) species, which is invasive

Trees located between 3 and 5 metres from construction areas can sometimes be felled, but only if they're replaced.

Reasons the city will reject your application

Not every complaint qualifies. The city explicitly states that tree removal is not justified if:

• The tree drops blossoms, leaves, sap, or twigs
• It produces pollen
• It provides shade or shelter (even if unwanted)
• Roots are visible on the surface
• You simply want to plant a "more valuable" tree in its place

These are common frustrations for homeowners, but the city considers them normal characteristics of healthy trees, not grounds for removal.

Permit costs by borough

Fees vary significantly across the island. The City of Montreal lists the following for several boroughs:

Ash tree felling is free in all boroughs due to the ongoing emerald ash borer crisis. If you have a dead or dying ash tree, you can apply for a separate ash tree felling permit at no cost.

Replacement requirements

Most boroughs require you to plant a replacement tree within 6 to 12 months of felling. The replacement tree must meet minimum specifications, which typically include:

• A trunk diameter of 3 to 5 cm at 1.3 to 1.5 metres height
• A minimum height of 1.5 to 2 metres at the time of planting
• Some boroughs require one tree per 50 to 100 square metres of undeveloped land

Certain species are prohibited as replacements. According to the city, commonly banned replacement species include ash, poplar, willow, silver maple, and American elm, though this varies by borough.

What documents you'll need

A complete application typically requires:

• A scale plan (based on your certificate of location) showing the number and position of each tree to be felled, its diameter at breast height, and the species
• Photos of each tree you want to remove
• An expert arborist report (required by most boroughs)
• Power of attorney if you're not the property owner
• Co-owner authorization letters or condo association resolutions for shared properties

Protected trees: the public strip

You cannot trim or fell any tree on public property. The city defines this as the strip of land between your property line and the curb or sidewalk. Even if a public tree appears to be "yours," it belongs to the city, and only city-authorized crews can work on it.

If a public tree is causing problems, report it through 311 and the city's arborists will assess it.

How long the process takes

Processing times vary by borough and the complexity of your request. Simple applications can be processed in as few as 6 to 14 days, while more complex cases involving arborist assessments or multiple trees may take several weeks.

Permits are valid for 6 to 12 months from the date of issuance, depending on your borough. If you don't start the work within that window, you'll need to reapply.

How to apply

You can submit your application:

• Online through the Montreal.ca application portal (requires an account)
• In person at your borough's permit counter (some boroughs require appointments)

Payment methods include credit card (Visa, MasterCard) or cheque payable to "Ville de Montreal."

Penalties for unauthorized removal

Cutting down a tree without a permit carries serious fines. According to the City of Montreal, penalties range from a minimum of $58 to $600 per violation and can reach up to $15,000 depending on the number of trees removed and the area cleared.

Need help with a tree issue on your property?

Whether you need to remove a problematic tree or want to plan your landscaping around existing ones, we can help navigate the permit process and recommend the right approach. Call us at 514-900-3867.