Background

Barrie City Council has directed Staff through Motions 21-G-210 and 21-G-229 to investigate revising the existing Private Tree By-law (2014-115) to include individual trees on all private properties in Barrie to mitigate future damage of privately owned trees due to private construction and excavation projects. The purpose of the investigation is to engage the public and stakeholders on possible options to provide more comprehensive mature tree protection for privately owned trees, and to mitigate future damage of privately owned trees due to private construction and excavation projects.

Barrie has had a private tree by-law in place since 1990 that regulates the removal or injury of any tree on private property that is part of a woodlot that is ½ acre (0.2 hectares) in size or larger. Tree removals are regulated through mandatory Tree Removal Permits. Non-compliance can result in fines, negotiated settlements and restoration orders.

Barrie’s Private Tree By-law has been revised three times since 1990, in 2002, 2005 and 2014.

Public consultation

The City is consulting with Barrie landowners, residents, environmental advocacy groups, land developers and businesses to get feedback on preferences regarding the preferred approach to regulating private individual tree removal. This will be done through a Public Information Centre meeting and survey feedback process.

Public feedback from this community engagement process will be provided in a Staff Report to Council in late spring or early summer 2022 to receive direction for next steps in the By-law review.

How to share your feedback

Under COVID-19 Protocols, a Zoom-format online public meeting was held on February 24, 2022 to obtain public feedback. At the PIC meeting, the City's Forestry staff outlined types of tree by-laws, including restrictive and permissive tree by-law approaches to protect and enhance urban tree canopies.

The Private Tree By-law Presentation can be found on the City's YouTube channel or under the "Video" section on the right side of this page.

Please share your feedback by completing the survey. The survey closes at 12:59 p.m. on March 11, 2022.



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Quick Poll

Are you concerned about the number of trees (total canopy cover) in Barrie?

This poll has concluded.

Total Votes: 18

Quick Poll

Do you think that revising the current By-law to regulate the removal of individual trees on private property will affect tree cover in Barrie?

This poll has concluded.

Total Votes: 6

Quick Poll

Would you support revising the existing By-law to regulate the removal/injury of individual trees on private property in Barrie?

This poll has concluded.

Total Votes: 5

Quick Poll

Is there a number of trees a landowner should be able to remove each year without a permit?

This poll has concluded.

Total Votes: 6

Quick Poll

Would you support a tree planting incentive program in place of an individual Tree By-law?

This poll has concluded.

Total Votes: 7