Trees
Cutting Down a Tree
Within its Plan fraîcheur (coolness plan), the Borough of Saint-Laurent has adopted regulations on planting, protecting and cutting
down private trees, thereby helping to preserve the estimated 112,000 trees in its tree heritage, to increase greening throughout its
territory and to mitigate heat islands.
A certificate of authorization must be obtained from the Borough before
cutting down any tree located on private property and having a trunk
5 cm in diameter or more measured at a height of 15 cm from the
ground or at a height of 1.4 meters from the ground (Illustration 1).
Illustration 1 : Dimensions when cutting down a tree
Tree-cutting authorization cases
A tree located on private property may be cut down only in one of the
following cases :
• The tree is dead or irreversibly withering away—that is, over 50% of its
crown consists of dead wood.
• The tree is located within a planned construction site or less than
3 metres from that site or from a planned retaining wall. A sign is not
considered to be construction (Illustration 2).
• The tree is located within the site of a pool, an accessory parking
space, an accessory building, an access way or roadway for motor
vehicles or an excavation area for a public utility. In such a case, a
certificate of authorization will be issued only if no other space is
available for such facilities elsewhere on the grounds.
1.4 m
Ground level
Diameter: min. 5 cm
15 cm
IMPORTANTE NOTE
The following actions are considered to be a tree-cutting operation:
• The tree risks spreading a disease or an exotic invasive species, such as
the emerald ash borer.
• The tree is irreversibly diseased, has a structural deficiency affecting
its solidity or is causing serious damage to property. This must be
confirmed with an assessment made by a competent authority
specializing in arboriculture or on the basis of a study by an
arboriculture specialist.
• Removing over 50% of the living foliage.
• Severing—by pulling out or cutting—over 40% of the root system.
Illustration 2 : Distance from construction
• Covering the root system with 20 cm or more backfill.
Min. 3 m
• All other actions resulting in the elimination of the tree (use of a toxic
product, making incisions around the trunk, etc.).
Planned
extension
Procedure
To submit an application for a certificate of authorization, the
Application for certificate of authorization to cut tree(s) must be filled
out and enclosed with the other required documents. These documents
must be submitted to the Division des permis et des inspections, 777,
boulevard Marcel-Laurin.
Costs
There is no charge for processing the application.
Hazardous tree
The Borough may require owners to prune, trim or cut down their tree if
it is a hazard to public safety, if it interferes with the use or maintenance
of the public roadway or if it is detrimental to the health of trees in the
surronding area.
The following situations are not considered to be a nuisance related
to the presence of a tree and do not constitute serious harm:
• Falling twigs, leaves, flowers or fruit
• The presence of roots at the surface of the ground
• The presence of insects or animals
• Shade
• Bad odours
• Sap or honeydew exudate
• Pollen shedding
Trees
Cutting Down a Tree
Remplacement of a tree that has been cut down (Illustration 3)
A tree that has been cut down must be replaced by the owner with a new
tree. In such case, the following conditions must be met:
• The new tree, when planted, must have the following characteristics:
Leafy tree
• Have a minimum height of 3.5 metres, measured from its base, up to
its highest point
• Have a trunk whose diameter is at least 5 cm measured at a height
of 15 cm from the ground for properties having a residential building
within use class h1 (1 dwelling), h2 (2-unit dwelling) or h3 (3-unit
dwelling)
• Have a trunk with a minimum diameter of 7 cm, measured at a
height of 15 cm from the ground, for properties having a building in
use class h4 (dwelling with 5 housing units or more) or in use group
"retail business", "service business" or "industrial firm"
Evergreen tree
• Have a minimum height of 1.75 m, measured from its base, up to its
highest point
• The tree must be planted within 6 months from the issuance of the
certificate of authorization for tree-cutting.
• At maturity, the new tree must develop a canopy equal to or greater
than that of the tree to be cut down. In a case where the property does
not allow for planting a tree having the same canopy, the Borough
may authorize the planting of more than one tree with a smaller
canopy to replace the one to be cut down.
Illustration 3 : Minimum dimensions of a tree when planted
Min.
3.5 m
Ground level
15 cm
Minimum diameter:
5 cm or 7 cm
Information: 311 - ville.montreal.qc.ca/saint-laurent/factsheets
Legal framework: Règlement sur le zonage no RCA08-08-0001
Please note: Certain specific conditions not mentioned herein may apply. This information has
been prepared for the reader's convenience and has no official value. No guarantees are
offered with regard to the accuracy of the text. For all legal purposes, the reader will have to
consult the official version of the bylaw and each of its amendments.
novembre 2016
DIRECTION DE L’AMÉNAGEMENT URBAIN
ET DES SERVICES AUX ENTREPRISES
777, boulevard Marcel-Laurin
Saint-Laurent (Québec) H4M 2M7
APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE
OF AUTHORIZATION TO CUT TREE(S)
Téléphone : 514 855-6000
Télécopieur : 514 855-5959
► All fields must be completed and all required documents must be provided.
► Incomplete applications will not be considered.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
2 copies of the certificate of location of the property on wich the applicant has identified the location of the tree(s) to be cut and the location of the new
tree(s) to be planted. (If you do not have the certificate of location, a scaled plan could be submitted.)
2 photos of the tree(s) to be cut.
A resolution of the board of directors of the co-ownership autorizing the application for cutting the tree(s), if applicable.
1. CIVIC NUMBER – LOCATION OF THE TREE(S) TO BE CUT
Address
Species of the tree(s) to be cut
Cost of the cutting ot the tree(s)
Species of the replacing tree(s) to be planted within 6 months
2. REASON(S) TO CUT THE TREE(S)
The tree has to be cut because of an irreversible state of decay caused by sickness, by structural deficiency affecting its solidity or is
causing serious damages to a property, and this based on the expertise of the competent authority specialized in arboriculture.
The tree is dead or is in an irreversible state of decay because 50 % of its crown sout constitute deadwood.
The tree is located in the implantation of a construction or within 3 meters of the implantation of a construction or a retaining wall.
( A sign is not considered a construction)
The tree is located in the area of a pool, a parking space, an accessory building, a vehicular access, an excavation area for the
purposes of public utility or equipment surface retention, only if no other space is avaiable on the property.
The tree could spread a disease or the tree is an exotic invasive species.
Justification
3. NAME OF THE OWNER OR MANAGER
Name of the owner or manager
Contact person
Complete address
Postal code
Telephone
Email address
4. SIGNATURE
I certify that all of the information I have provided is accurate.
I acknowledge that any error or omission could result in the cancellation of this application and of the certificate.
First name and last name
Signature
Date
À L’USAGE DU BUREAU SEULEMENT
Nombre d'arbre(s) à abattre
No de permis de construction (si applicable)
No du certificat d'autorisation
_______________
Nombre d'arbre(s) remplacé(s) dans les 6 mois
Approuvé par
Date
Oui
Non
Date(s) de la visite
30.813 R (01/2016)
Notes
Refusé par