Yes - you still need a permit. Toronto's Chapter 813 requires a permit to remove any tree measuring 30cm or more in diameter at breast height on private property, regardless of whether the tree is dead or alive. The bylaw makes no exception for dead trees. If your tree is dead and 30cm DBH or larger, you go through the same permit application process - though a well-documented hazard assessment can sometimes speed up review.
Toronto's private tree bylaw - Chapter 813 of the Municipal Code - protects trees on private property that are 30 centimetres or more in diameter at breast height (DBH), measured at 1.4 metres above the ground. The bylaw applies to any tree meeting that threshold, and it doesn't ask whether the tree is healthy, declining, or dead.
That means if you have a dead oak or maple in your yard that measures 30cm DBH or more, you need a City of Toronto tree removal permit before you can take it down. You also need an arborist report as part of your application. The process is the same as any other permit removal.
Many Toronto homeowners assume that a dead tree no longer has legal protection. That's a costly assumption. Fines for removing a tree without a permit can reach $100,000 per tree, and the City can and does enforce this even for dead trees.
The City's position is straightforward: the permit system exists to protect Toronto's urban tree canopy. Dead trees still formed part of that canopy, and requiring a permit ensures the City has a record of removals, can require replacement plantings, and can enforce accountability. From a canopy-count perspective, a dead tree was a living tree not long ago, and its removal has the same effect on canopy as removing a healthy one.
There's also an environmental argument. Standing dead trees - called snags - provide habitat for cavity-nesting birds and insects. The City doesn't always want them removed immediately, and the permit system gives them oversight over that decision.
The permit requirement applies specifically to private property trees. Some situations are exempt:
If your dead tree is under 30cm DBH, you don't need a City permit. You can still choose to hire a certified arborist for the removal, and it's wise to - but the bylaw doesn't require it.
Here's where being dead actually helps you. Chapter 813 gives the City discretion to weigh the value of the tree against the reason for removal. A clearly dead tree has no remaining live value to the canopy. An arborist who documents the tree as dead and hazardous gives the City an easy approval decision.
The arborist's report for a dead tree typically documents:
The City uses this report to make its decision. A thorough, well-written report from an ISA certified arborist doesn't guarantee a faster review, but it prevents back-and-forth requests for more information - which is one of the main sources of delay.
If a dead tree is actively dangerous - visibly leaning, shedding large branches, showing signs of imminent structural failure - your arborist can flag the application as a hazard case. The City doesn't publish a guaranteed timeline for hazardous applications, but thorough hazard documentation typically moves through review faster than a standard application.
What "thorough documentation" means in practice:
We assess the tree, prepare the Chapter 813-compliant arborist report, and submit the application to Toronto Urban Forestry. Serving all Toronto neighbourhoods including North York, Etobicoke, Scarborough, East York, the Annex, Forest Hill, Rosedale, Leaside and the Beaches.
Toronto's emergency provisions exist for situations where a tree poses an immediate, life-threatening hazard. If a dead tree has already partially failed - if branches have fallen, the trunk has cracked through, or it's leaning dangerously toward a house after a storm - contact 311 and your arborist immediately.
In a genuine emergency, work can sometimes proceed with City authorization before the formal permit process is completed. But "I think it might fall eventually" doesn't meet the emergency threshold. The standard is immediate and serious risk of harm.
Don't take chances on this. An arborist's emergency call to Urban Forestry carries far more weight than a homeowner's call. If you have a dead tree that's become a safety concern, get your arborist out to assess it and make the appropriate contacts.
When a permit is approved for a dead tree removal, the City may require replacement plantings. The number and species of replacement trees is determined during the permit review. Your arborist's report includes a planting recommendation, which the City can accept, modify, or expand on.
Replacement planting is not optional once the permit conditions are set. Failure to plant can result in enforcement action. Your arborist can advise on appropriate species for your site and help ensure the planting conditions are realistic for your property.
The cost of removing a dead tree includes the permit application and arborist report, plus the physical removal work. An arborist report and permit application typically runs $400-$650. The removal itself depends on the tree's size, location, and access - most residential dead tree removals cost between $800 and $3,000, with large trees in tight spaces going higher.
Dead trees can actually cost more to remove than healthy trees of the same size. Decay makes the wood unpredictable, and arborists need to work more carefully to prevent uncontrolled failures during the climb and cut.
Does Toronto require a permit to remove a dead tree?
Yes. Chapter 813 requires a permit for any tree measuring 30cm DBH or more on private property, regardless of whether it's dead or alive. The exemption for dead trees that many homeowners assume exists doesn't appear anywhere in the bylaw.
Can a dead tree get an emergency permit in Toronto?
Emergency removal authorization is available when a tree poses an immediate hazard to life or critical infrastructure. Your arborist contacts Urban Forestry directly to document the hazard and request expedited authorization. This is different from the standard 30-business-day review process.
What if my dead tree is a safety hazard?
A clearly hazardous dead tree - one that's actively failing or poses an imminent risk - should be flagged in the arborist report as a hazard case. Thorough hazard documentation often leads to faster City review, though no specific timeline is guaranteed.
How do I prove a tree is dead for a permit application?
An ISA certified arborist documents the tree's condition using visual assessment and sometimes resistance-testing tools. Signs documented include absence of foliage, brittle branch ends, bark slippage, fungal growth at the base, and internal decay.
How long does a dead tree permit take in Toronto?
The City has up to 30 business days from a complete application. Hazardous dead tree applications with strong documentation sometimes move more quickly, but the 30-business-day timeline is the standard to plan around.
Our ISA certified arborist handles the full process - site assessment, Chapter 813-compliant report, and permit submission. We serve Toronto, North York, Etobicoke, Scarborough, East York and surrounding areas.