Why is the City investigating the existing Private Tree By-law?

    Barrie City Council has directed staff to investigate revising the existing Private Tree By-law (2014-115) to include individual trees on all private properties in Barrie.

    What is the purpose of the Public Information Centre (PIC) meeting?

    At the PIC meeting, information will be presented about Tree By-laws, various types of by-laws, and the pros and cons of each type of by-law. The recorded presentation will be available online after the PIC. The purpose of the PIC and public survey is to get opinions from the public on the current by-law (whether it needs revising) and opinion on various options and alternatives for the regulation of trees in Barrie.

    When is a permit required under the current private tree by-law?

    If you are planning to remove or cause injury to one or more trees that are part of a woodlot (forested area) of ½ acre in size or larger, you will require a Tree Removal Permit from the City of Barrie. Woodlots are mapped on the City's interactive map. If you are unsure, please contact Service Barrie at 705-726-4242 or ServiceBarrie@barrie.ca.

    Do I need a permit to remove a dead or hazardous tree?

    If an arborist has deemed the tree on your property to be dead or hazardous, you do not require a tree removal permit to remove (or prune) it. Normal property maintenance on residential lots in the City of Barrie does not require a tree removal permit. 

    How many Tree Removal Permits are issued annually by the City under the current tree by-law?

    Less than 20 tree removal permits are issued each year under the current by-law.

    What percentage of Barrie is covered by trees?

    Approximately 30% of the city’s land area is covered in tree canopy.  71% of the tree canopy in the city is on private property.

    What is the cost to the taxpayer if the City requires every landowner to obtain a permit to remove a tree?

    This depends on what size (diameter) of trees that Council chooses to regulate (require permits for injury or removal) and the cost of each permit. Generally, the following rule of thumb can be used:

    •  The smaller the tree size that is regulated (i.e. largest number of trees protected under the by-law), the higher the cost of administering and enforcing the by-law.
    • The lower the cost of tree removal permit fees, the higher the administration cost of the by-law.
    •  The higher the cost of the tree removal permit fees, the higher the enforcement costs (due to increased instances of non-compliance with the by-law).
    • The greater the effort put into education on the by-law, the less occurrences of non-compliance with the by-law.
    • The greater the incentive to plant and protect trees on private lands, the less the need to have restrictive tree by-laws in the municipality.

    What are the next steps after the survey closes on March 11?

    The results of the survey have been summarized and are included within the Staff Report anticipated to be on the Council agenda in late summer-early fall (after summer recess). Council will review the opinion of the public (through the survey and constituents) and direct staff on the next step in the process, which could include but not be limited to:

    • Maintain the status quo (current by-law)
    • Direct staff to revise the existing by-law
    • Direct staff to develop incentive programs for private tree management
    • Direct staff to implement other tree protection and/or enhancement programs
    • Direct staff to complete further public consultation