Laval Street Tree Pruning and Planting Bylaw Guide
This guide explains how to request permission for street tree pruning or planting in Laval, Quebec, and summarizes the city processes, enforcement pathways and typical requirements for work affecting trees on the public domain. It is aimed at residents, contractors and community groups who need to know when a permit is required, who enforces the rules, and how to apply, appeal or report non-compliance. Where specific numeric penalties or form names are not published on municipal pages, this guide notes that the item is not specified on the cited page and recommends contacting the city department listed in "Help and Support / Resources" below. Current as of February 2026.
Penalties & Enforcement
The City of Laval enforces rules for trees on public property and in the public right-of-way. Specific fine amounts and schedules for pruning, removal or unauthorized planting are not specified on the cited page.
- Enforcer: By-law Enforcement Division and Urban Forestry/Infrastructure services.
- Inspection and complaints: submit a complaint to By-law Enforcement or the city’s urban forestry service; use the official contact pages in Resources.
- Fines: not specified on the cited page.
- Escalation: details on first, repeat, or continuing offence penalties are not specified on the cited page.
- Non-monetary sanctions: orders to restore, replacement tree requirements, stop-work orders, court actions and recovery of city costs may be used.
- Appeals and review: the city provides administrative review or appeal routes; specific time limits are not specified on the cited page.
Applications & Forms
The city generally requires a permit to prune or plant trees on the public domain. The exact form name, number, fees and submission steps are not specified on the cited page; contact the Urban Forestry or By-law Enforcement office for the current application and fee schedule.
How Permits and Inspections Work
Typical steps to obtain authorization for pruning or planting in the public right-of-way include contacting the city to confirm whether the work is permitted, submitting a completed application with a site plan, and waiting for an inspection or written permit. Work without authorization may result in corrective orders and remediation requirements.
- Application: request permit from the Urban Forestry or municipal permits office.
- Work standards: follow the city’s pruning and planting specifications; unauthorized methods may be rejected.
- Inspections: the city may require pre- and post-work inspections.
- Fees: check current fee schedule with the city, as fees are not specified on the cited page.
Common Violations and Typical Outcomes
- Pruning or removing a public tree without authorization — may trigger orders to replace the tree, restoration requirements, and fines (amount not specified).
- Planting incompatible species or placing plantings that obstruct visibility or infrastructure — may be ordered removed or relocated.
- Failure to comply with a remedial order — may lead to court action or city-conducted remediation with cost recovery.
FAQ
- Do I need a permit to prune a street tree?
- Yes in most cases: pruning trees on the public domain usually requires prior authorization; contact the city to confirm.
- Can I plant a tree in the boulevard in front of my house?
- Planting on the public boulevard typically requires city approval and must meet species and placement rules.
- What if a contractor damaged a public tree?
- Report the damage to By-law Enforcement or Urban Forestry; the city may require remediation and can seek cost recovery from the responsible party.
How-To
- Contact the city’s Urban Forestry or By-law Enforcement office to confirm whether your planned pruning or planting is on public property and requires a permit.
- Obtain and complete the official application form provided by the city and include a site plan and photos as requested.
- Submit the application and pay any applicable fee; await written authorization before starting work.
- Arrange any required inspection with the city and comply with permit conditions and approved work methods.
- If you receive an order or fine, follow the appeal or review instructions on the notice and submit any appeal within the time limit stated in the notice.
Key Takeaways
- Always verify whether the tree is on public property before pruning or planting.
- Contact By-law Enforcement or Urban Forestry for permits, forms and inspections.
Help and Support / Resources
- City of Laval — official website
- City of Laval — services and permits
- City of Laval — contact and complaints