Mississauga Tree Permit By-Law

In the Summer of 2009 and 2010, there were incidents in Gordon Woods (in Ward 7) in which an owner of a property with significant trees had a number of trees destroyed.  In both cases, the City prosecuted under the Tree Permit By-law 474-05.  The Gordon Woods Homeowners Association (GWHA) suggested that the existing tree by-law lacks "teeth" to deter this sort of action, and provided the case history below.

Some of the cut trees in the Gordon Woods incident, Summer 2010. Click photo for enlargement.

"In July 2010, the owner of a five-acre forested lot in the Gordon Woods neighbourhood obtained a tree permit from the City of Mississauga to cut 9 "hazardous and/or dying" trees under the Tree By-law.  On July 12 the chainsaws were fired up and trees began to fall.  Neighbours soon became concerned when they noticed what appeared to be many more than 9 trees being cut; the City was notified.  Upon investigation by City officials the work was stopped, but not before approximately 15 majestic hardwood trees had been cut down, most of which were not included on the tree permit.  To add to this travesty, the remaining trees originally applied for were allowed to be removed several weeks later.  Under the Tree Permit By-law, the offender is liable to a maximum fine of $10,000, an amount that could likely be recouped in the sale of the logs for lumber and/or firewood.  The owner has succeeded in stripping the heavily wooded lot of many of its trees in contravention of a by-law that was supposed to protect those very trees.  It's time to fix the by-law!"  -- GWHA, October 6, 2010

► Click to view the Tree Permit By-law 474-05 (7p PDF), effective January 1, 2006.

► View the City's Urban Forestry webpage and related articles at: www.mississauga.ca/urbanforestry.

► Click to view information about Mississauga's Living Green Million Trees Planting Program (p5).

At its November 3, 2010 meeting, MIRANET struck a Tree By-law Subcommittee of representatives from communities with significant mature trees to review the Tree Permit By-law and propose possible amendments.  The Subcommittee intends to consult the Stewardship and Tree Planting Committee of the City, and other resources such as the International Society of Arboriculture (Ontario Chapter) to promote a tree management process whereby more mature trees are planted to replace those removed.

► The Tree By-Law Subcommittee developed a Report and Proposal for review at the MIRANET meeting on April 6, 2011 which was then presented at a meeting with the Ward 1 and 2 Councillors in May. 

► The City has responded and on September 15, 2011, reps of RAs in Wards 1, 2 and 7 met with Ward 2 Councillor Pat Mullin and the City's Urban Forestry staff to discuss specific proposed changes to the By-Law to better protect the tree inventory, especially in old-growth areas.  A follow-up meeting is being held for RA reps on December 1, 2011 to review the draft By-law amendments as well as a business case scenario for the amended City-wide tree protection program.

► A presentation will be made to the General Committee of Council in January 2012, whereby staff will seek approval to hold public information centres on the proposed amendments.  Following this public consultation process, a report will go to General Committee with the recommended amendments to the Tree Permit By-law.