Tree protection in Newmarket takes several forms. This page provides information on the various ways that trees are regulated and protected in Newmarket.
Public Tree Protection By-law
Town-owned trees are occasionally injured or removed. This may be done by the Town to remove an unhealthy tree, or with the Town's permission by a resident or developer to allow for a change to a private property. In order to ensure that Town-owned trees are protected and that requests to injure or remove them are evaluated consistently, Council approved the Public Tree Protection By-law regulating the injury and removal of Town-owned trees. By-law 2017-59:
- Prohibits the injury or removal of any Town-owned trees
- Establishes a permit process to review requests to injure or remove Town-owned trees
- Requires compensation for any trees that the Town allows to be injured or removed
- Creates offences and fines for which anyone injuring or removing Town-owned trees without a permit
Woodlot By-law
The purpose of the Woodlot By-Law is to protect small urban woodlots (between 0.2 hectares and 1.0 hectare in area) on privately owned lands. The By-Law requires land owners to apply for a permit to injure or destroy trees and sets fine provisions for contraventions to the By-Law. Woodlots greater than 1.0 hectares in the area fall under the jurisdiction of the Regional Municipality of York Bill No. 36 - By-Law No. TR-0004-2005-036 - A by-law to prohibit or regulate the destruction or injuring of trees in The Regional Municipality of York. The by-law may require replanting of trees, remediation of injury, financial compensation or removed trees, or other conditions to the approval of a request to remove trees. To determine whether a tree is located in an area regulated by the Woodlot By-law, consult the map that is a schedule to the By-law here. For greater clarity, contact Planning Services at planning@newmarket.ca.
Tree Preservation, Protection, Replacement and Enhancement Policy
The
Tree Policy establishes the Town of Newmarket’s policy for the preservation, protection, replacement and enhancement of significant trees on lands subject to a Planning Act Application. This includes properties that are part of an application for a:
- Zoning by-law amendment or Official Plan amendment
- Plan of subdivision
- Plan of condominium
- Minor Variance
- Consent (severance)
The Policy requires the submission of an arborist report with any Planning Act application, and ensures that any trees to be protected are properly considered during the development review process, and that the removal of any significant tree is compensated for by replanting's on-site or by financial compensation for the Town to replant trees off-site.
Private Tree Protection
The Town's Private Tree Protection By-law aims to protect mature trees in Newmarket and requires the property owner to obtain a permit prior to removing the tree. For more information, please view the
Private Tree Removal webpage.
Urban Canopy
Newmarket’s urban canopy is made up of both public and private trees and is a valuable infrastructure asset. The replacement value of Newmarket’s trees exceeds $350,000,000. The
2016 Urban Forestry Study showed that these trees help to:
- Avoid more than 200,000 cubic metres of water runoff each year, a service valued at nearly $500,000.
- Reduce erosion, improve air quality, and increase property values.
- Reduce residential energy costs by more than $3,000,000 per year.
It is important to develop a comprehensive policy and by-law regime to protect Newmarket’s trees. It is Newmarket’s intention to take a full spectrum approach to tree protection and regulation with both policies and by-laws to limit the removal of trees and promote the planting of new trees.
