The municipality does not currently regulate or restrict the destruction of trees on privately-owned property.

What changes are being proposed?

As a result of receiving public feedback on the draft by-law (introduced to the public and Council in 2023), which indicated that the public was not in support of a tree by-law that regulated tree removal on private property, except in the context of development, Council on September 24, 2024 directed staff to narrow the scope of the tree by-law impacting private lands to apply only to development applications pursuant to the Planning Act, and to present a revised by-law to Council by the end of the year.

Why is this change being proposed?

This By-law change aligns with the municipality's strategic priority of a Healthy Environment and is in support of the Council-adopted Healthy Environment Plan 2019 and Lake Management Plans.

Terms Defined

Mature Trees: 5 inches (12cm) in diameter. You can determine the diameter of a tree by measuring the circumference at 4.5 feet (1.37 meters) from the ground and dividing that number by 3.14.

Unhealthy tree: determined by a professional to be damaged, infected by something contagious to other trees, and/or will die.

Hazardous Tree: damaged or destroyed trees that should be removed in the interests of public safety, health and general welfare following any man-made or natural disasters, storms, high winds, floods, fires, snowfall, freezes or as a result of insects, disease or wildlife

Environmental protection areas: zoning area designated in the municipality's official plan. Find out your property's zoning by visiting our Property and Planning map.

A report will advance to Committee of the Whole on April 8, 2025, following additional consultation with the development community.

Read the Draft By-Law

1. Feedback on the proposed By-law can be submitted to treebylaw@kawarthalakes.ca.

2. Follow this project to receive updates as it moves forward.