Forest Conservation Bylaws

In Ontario, municipalities have the responsibility for ensuring that proper regulations and plans are in place to protect natural features on private land. Protection can be achieved through the voluntary efforts of landowners (promptedby public education and awareness programs) or through regulatory mechanisms such as bylaws or the official municipal planning process. Under the Municipal Act, 2001, both upper and lower tier municipalities have the power to enact tree-cutting bylaws (also known as forest conservation bylaws).

Continue exploring in the side bar for more information that may be of interest to woodlot owners, loggers, municipal staff and others who want to find out more about forest conservation bylaws in Ontario.

Legislation In Ontario

Over the years, Ontario's municipalities have had the authority to regulate the harvest of trees on private lands through various statutes. Councils of counties and townships in southern Ontario were empowered to enact tree-cutting bylaws through the Trees Conservation Act (1946), the Trees Act (1950), and the Forestry Act (1998). In addition, municipalities with a population greater than 10,000 could forbid the cutting of trees under Section 223.2 of the Municipal Act. As a result, by 2001, there were 24 municipalities with tree-cutting bylaws, passed under the Forestry Act, and about a dozen municipalities with tree-cutting bylaws passed under the Municipal Act. However, these provisions were not applicable to all municipalities, and in particular, not to many municipalities in Northern Ontario.

The new Municipal Act, 2001 (which came into effect on January 1, 2003) now provides tree-cutting bylaw powers to all municipalities in Ontario. However, it will still be up to the municipality to decide whether a bylaw is required or even desirable. Under the new legislation, an upper-tier municipality will be able to pass bylaws for woodlots that are one hectare or more in size (as defined in the Forestry Act), while a lower tier municipality will be able to pass bylaws for trees found in woodlots of less than one hectare. The municipality will also have the power to impose and enforce conditions on how trees in a woodlot are harvested, or to establish the qualifications of persons involved with woodland management. They may require that a permit be obtained prior to the commencement of any forest-cutting operations.

Refer to the Municipal Act, 2001, Sections 135 to 140, for the provisions specifically dealing with tree-cutting bylaws. A copy of this act is available on-line or a copy of the act can be purchased from Publications Ontario by calling 1-800-668-9938.

Ontario Woodlot Association

10 Campus Dr., Unit 4

Kemptville, Ontario

K0G 1J0

Phone: 613-713-1525
Email: info@ontariowoodlot.com

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