Markham requires a permit to remove any tree on private residential property with a trunk diameter of 20cm or more at 1.4 metres above ground. On top of that, Markham's Woodland Conservation By-law adds a second layer of protection for trees within mapped woodland areas, regardless of individual tree size. If you're planning tree removal in Markham, you need to know which rules apply to your property before any work starts. Here is a complete breakdown of the permit process, the DBH rules, the timeline and what to expect.
Markham Tree Permit - Key Facts
DBH stands for diameter at breast height. It is the standard measurement used in arboriculture and by municipalities to determine a tree's size for regulatory purposes. DBH is measured at exactly 1.4 metres above the ground, and it is the trunk's diameter at that specific point, not the circumference and not an estimate based on appearance.
A tree with a DBH of 20cm has a trunk roughly the diameter of a large dinner plate at chest height. Most mature trees in established Markham communities including Unionville, Cornell, Markham Village, Angus Glen, Berczy Village, Wismer Commons and Cathedraltown will easily exceed this measurement. In many cases, trees that homeowners assume are too small to need a permit are well above the 20cm threshold once properly measured.
If you're not sure whether your tree reaches 20cm DBH, don't guess. An arborist can measure it in minutes. Getting that measurement wrong is not a defence against a by-law violation.
This is the primary protection framework for trees on residential private property. Any tree meeting or exceeding the 20cm DBH threshold requires a permit before removal. The permit application process is the same as in other GTA municipalities: arborist report, site plan, application form, City review, site inspection, decision.
Markham also has a Woodland Conservation By-law that applies to trees within defined woodland areas throughout the city. If your property contains or is adjacent to a mapped woodland, this by-law can apply to trees of any size within that area, not just trees above the 20cm DBH threshold. Removing any tree within a protected woodland without a permit is a violation of the Woodland Conservation By-law, separate from and in addition to the Private Tree By-law.
Properties in certain parts of Rouge, Buttonville and areas near Markham's natural heritage system are more likely to be affected by the Woodland Conservation By-law. If you're not sure whether your property is near a mapped woodland, the City of Markham can confirm this and so can an arborist who is familiar with local mapping.
Woodland proximity matters: If your property is near a ravine, creek, forested area or natural heritage feature in Markham, do not assume only the Private Tree By-law applies. Get an arborist to confirm which by-law or by-laws govern your specific situation before planning any removal.
Engage an ISA certified arborist before submitting anything. The arborist will measure the DBH, assess the tree's condition and structure, check whether woodland protection applies, document any hazard factors, and prepare the written report required for the application. Our arborist team is familiar with both of Markham's tree protection frameworks and prepares reports that clear the City's review process efficiently.
Based on the arborist's assessment, you'll know whether you're dealing with the Private Tree By-law, the Woodland Conservation By-law, or both. This determines the specific application process and the documentation requirements. The City of Markham's Urban Forestry team can also answer questions about which framework applies to your property.
Submit the complete application package through the City of Markham's online services portal. Your package should include the completed form, arborist report and site plan. Incomplete applications slow the process down, so confirm with your arborist that everything is in order before submitting.
The City reviews your application and schedules an on-site tree inspection. A Markham Urban Forestry officer attends the property to assess the tree and evaluate the removal justification against the by-law criteria and their direct observations.
Approvals typically come with replacement planting conditions. Know what the conditions require before scheduling the removal so you can plan the planting around the appropriate season.
Markham's 20cm DBH threshold sits between Mississauga's 15cm and Toronto's 30cm. That means Markham protects a broader range of trees than Toronto does, but fewer than Mississauga's by-law covers. The Woodland Conservation By-law, however, is more restrictive than what most residential homeowners encounter in Toronto or Mississauga, because it applies to entire woodland areas rather than individual tree sizes.
For Richmond Hill, which borders Markham to the west, the Private Tree By-law threshold is also 20cm DBH under By-law 41-07. The processes are broadly similar, though administered separately by each municipality. If you own property in both cities or near the boundary, the specific municipality your property is located in determines which by-law applies.
Our guides for Richmond Hill, Toronto and Mississauga cover those specific processes in detail.
Our ISA certified arborist handles tree permit applications across Markham including Unionville, Cornell, Markham Village, Angus Glen, Berczy Village, Wismer Commons and Cathedraltown. We know both the Private Tree By-law and the Woodland Conservation By-law and prepare reports that move through City review efficiently.
Removing a protected tree in Markham without a permit is a by-law violation under whichever by-law applies to your property. The City can issue a fine and order mandatory replacement planting at your expense. Violations involving trees within woodland areas can be treated more seriously than those involving individual private trees, given the ecological significance of protected woodlands.
Complaints from neighbours are the most common trigger for a City investigation. A fresh stump and changed sight lines are noticeable, and Markham's Urban Forestry team investigates reports thoroughly. Cooperation with the City and proactive engagement with an arborist immediately after a violation is discovered gives you the best chance of minimizing the outcome.
If you're planning a renovation, addition, deck, pool or landscaping project near trees on your Markham property, the by-law may apply even if you're not removing any trees. Injurious activity within a tree's root zone, including excavation, compaction, trenching and grading, can harm protected trees and requires the same permit authorization as removal in some cases.
Markham typically requires a tree preservation plan as part of the building permit process when construction is taking place near protected trees. Our Tree Preservation Plans and Fencing service covers this requirement. Engaging an arborist before your renovation starts, rather than after a problem is discovered, is always the better approach.
Markham is one of the most tree-rich cities in the GTA, and its private tree by-law reflects that reality. Across established communities like Unionville, Markham Village and Cornell, mature deciduous trees are a defining feature of the streetscape. In Angus Glen, Berczy Village and Wismer Commons, newer construction has been planned around significant tree stands. In Cathedraltown and Box Grove, properties frequently abut woodland edges where the Woodland Conservation By-law is directly relevant.
The 20cm DBH threshold captures most established trees in these neighbourhoods. A twenty-year-old silver maple, a thirty-year-old Norway spruce, a forty-year-old white oak - all will typically exceed 20cm DBH. In the older parts of Unionville and Markham Village, trees planted when the communities were first developed are now genuinely large, with trunk diameters of 50cm, 60cm or more. These are significant trees under any by-law framework.
In Milliken Mills, Cachet, Raymerville and Greensborough, subdivisions built in the late 1980s and 1990s now have maturing canopy that has crossed the permit threshold. Homeowners who moved in when those trees were young may not realize they now have protected trees on their lots. The first time many people discover this is when they go to remove a tree for a renovation project and their contractor asks about the permit.
Permit approvals in Markham almost always include replacement planting conditions. Under the Private Tree By-law, replacement requirements are calculated based on the size and species of the tree being removed. A larger or more ecologically valuable tree will require more replacement planting than a smaller or less significant one.
For trees removed under the Woodland Conservation By-law, replacement conditions are typically more substantial. The City of Markham views woodland removals as significant ecological losses and calibrates replacement requirements accordingly. In some cases, replacement must occur within the woodland itself or in a location that contributes to the woodland's continuity.
Discuss replacement conditions with your arborist before the removal is scheduled. Understanding what you will be required to plant, what species are acceptable, what caliper the replacement trees must meet, and what the planting deadline is will allow you to plan the full scope of the project properly. Replacement tree sourcing takes time, particularly for larger caliper stock, and the planting window in the GTA is limited.
The right time to call an arborist for any Markham tree project is before you make any other plans. This applies whether you are removing a single residential tree, planning a renovation near established trees, or managing a larger property with woodland features. The arborist visit determines which by-laws apply, what the application will require, and what the likely outcome looks like. Armed with that information, every other decision - contractor selection, project scheduling, budgeting - becomes clearer.
Working with an arborist who is familiar with both of Markham's tree protection frameworks saves time and avoids the frustration of discovering mid-application that a second by-law applies. Our team works across Markham regularly and knows both frameworks in detail.
Do you need a permit to remove a tree in Markham?
Yes. Markham's Private Tree By-law protects trees 20cm DBH or more on private property. Markham's Woodland Conservation By-law adds further protection for trees within mapped woodland areas. A permit is required before removing any protected tree.
What is the DBH threshold for a tree permit in Markham?
Markham's Private Tree By-law protects trees with a trunk diameter of 20cm or more at 1.4 metres above ground. Trees within mapped woodlands may be protected regardless of their DBH under the Woodland Conservation By-law.
How long does a tree permit take in Markham?
Plan for eight to twelve weeks from first arborist contact to permit decision during busy seasons. A complete, thorough application moves through the process faster. There is no expedited option available.
Does Markham's woodland protection affect my property?
If your property contains or is adjacent to a mapped woodland in Markham, the Woodland Conservation By-law may apply to trees of any size within that area. An ISA certified arborist can confirm whether your property falls within a protected woodland area.
What documents are needed for a Markham tree permit application?
You typically need a completed application form, an arborist report from an ISA certified arborist, and a site plan showing the tree's location. Additional documentation may be required where woodland protection or construction activity is involved.
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