Montréal Urban Forestry Bylaw for New Developments

Land Use and Zoning Quebec 3 Minutes Read · published February 11, 2026 Flag of Quebec

Montréal, Quebec requires developers to plan for tree protection, planting and long-term canopy replacement as part of new development approvals. This guide summarizes the city policy intent, typical on-site controls, permit pathways and enforcement roles relevant to design and construction. It is written for developers, planners and consultants working in Montréal and links to official city sources for the program, the city tree plan and permitting information to help you start compliance early in the project lifecycle.[1]

Contact the city early in design to reduce permit delays.

Scope & key rules

Requirements apply to public and private trees affected by construction, including felling, pruning, transplantation and required replacement plantings. The city expects developers to incorporate tree protection zones, planting plans and maintenance provisions into site plans and landscape drawings. Specific ratios for replacement, protected species lists, and setback rules are described in Montréal's urban tree plan and service pages rather than a single consolidated numeric table on an easily citable bylaw page.[2]

  • Developers must include a tree inventory and preservation plan with permit applications.
  • Construction must use protective fencing and root-zone measures during works.
  • Replacement planting or cash-in-lieu may be required when trees are removed.

Penalties & Enforcement

Montréal enforces tree protection through bylaw officers and urban forestry services. The official service pages outline permit and protection obligations but do not list a single consolidated schedule of fines on the same page; fine amounts and escalation details are not specified on the cited page.[1]

  • Enforcer: By-law enforcement officers and Service de l'urbanisme (urban forestry teams) perform inspections and issue orders.
  • Fines: not specified on the cited page; consult local enforcement notices or contact the department for exact amounts.
  • Escalation: information on first, repeat or continuing offences is not specified on the cited page.
  • Appeals: appeal routes and time limits are handled through municipal review processes; specific deadlines are not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: stop-work orders, mandatory replacement, remediation orders and court actions may be used.
Document and photograph any on-site protections before work begins.

Applications & Forms

Permit requirements for tree removal, planting and landscape approvals are processed through Montréal's permit and certificates service; searchable application forms and submission instructions are published on the city portal. Where a specific form number or a published fee is not visible on the city page, it is not specified on the cited page and applicants should contact the urban planning service for exact fees and submission details.[3]

How-To

  1. Engage an arborist to prepare a tree inventory and protection plan.
  2. Include the plan with your site permit or urbanisme application and identify trees to be removed or transplanted.
  3. Install protective fencing and root protection before construction mobilization.
  4. Monitor tree health during construction and document maintenance actions.
  5. Complete required replacement plantings or pay required cash-in-lieu as determined by the city.
  6. Request inspection and final sign-off from the urban forestry inspector.
Keep photographic records to support appeals or compliance reviews.

FAQ

Do I always need a permit to remove a tree during construction?
No, rules vary by property type and tree location; many removals on private property during development require a permit or authorization from the city. Contact the permit service for specifics.[3]
What happens if protected trees are damaged during construction?
Damaged protected trees can trigger stop-work orders and remediation requirements, including replacement planting or restoration work; exact penalties are set by enforcement procedures.
Can I plant replacement trees off-site?
The city may allow cash-in-lieu or off-site planting where on-site replacement is impractical, subject to approval by urban forestry staff.

Key Takeaways

  • Plan tree protection in the earliest design stages.
  • Permits and inspections are required before removal or major pruning.
  • Contact urban forestry or permits staff for application guidance.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Montréal - Abattage, transplantation et plantation d'arbres
  2. [2] City of Montréal - Plan directeur de l'arbre
  3. [3] City of Montréal - Demande de permis d'urbanisme

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