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City-Owned Tree Conservation and Management

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We are updating our public tree bylaw to better protect city-owned trees. This is one way we are working towards the targets set out in the Urban Forest Strategy. In 2019, the average tree canopy in Kitchener was 27%. Our goal is a tree canopy target of 30% in each ward by 2050.

The changes we are considering include:

  • Update the existing fines that recover the costs of tree damage or removal
  • Set new fines for those who do not follow the by-law
  • Set new administrative monetary penalties (AMPs) for injury or removal of trees
  • Enable court orders to be issued to stop or correct a violation of the bylaw
  • Develop a new permit system to protect city trees and soil habitat zones during construction.
  • Develop a more formalized tree replacement and compensation process overall

For more information, read the Project Background

Get involved

Your feedback is important to help us understand the benefits and drawbacks of the options for updating the bylaw. Answer our survey or email us your comments at EngageOnTrees@kitchener.ca

To get email updates about this project, add your email to the Stay Informed box on this page and click ‘Subscribe’.

We are updating our public tree bylaw to better protect city-owned trees. This is one way we are working towards the targets set out in the Urban Forest Strategy. In 2019, the average tree canopy in Kitchener was 27%. Our goal is a tree canopy target of 30% in each ward by 2050.

The changes we are considering include:

  • Update the existing fines that recover the costs of tree damage or removal
  • Set new fines for those who do not follow the by-law
  • Set new administrative monetary penalties (AMPs) for injury or removal of trees
  • Enable court orders to be issued to stop or correct a violation of the bylaw
  • Develop a new permit system to protect city trees and soil habitat zones during construction.
  • Develop a more formalized tree replacement and compensation process overall

For more information, read the Project Background

Get involved

Your feedback is important to help us understand the benefits and drawbacks of the options for updating the bylaw. Answer our survey or email us your comments at EngageOnTrees@kitchener.ca

To get email updates about this project, add your email to the Stay Informed box on this page and click ‘Subscribe’.

  • Project background

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    On January 10, 2022, staff presented report INS-2022-002 Tree Canopy Target for Kitchener to Council recommending approval of a tree canopy target of 30 percent for each ward by 2050 and an overall City-wide tree canopy target of 33 percent by 2070.

    Council approved staff’s recommendation and further directed staff to initiate a review of existing tree conservation processes in the City with an intention to extend and strengthen tree conservation measures, including:

    • a review of the existing bylaws and processes, including the Kitchener Tree Bylaw and the Kitchener Tree Conservation Bylaw
    • a review of requirements for tree planting contained within the Development Manual
    • a review of the Tree Management Policy and any relevant policies as required
    • a jurisdictional scan of other municipal tree conservation processes, policies and bylaws


    Kitchener Tree Conservation Processes Review

    In 2022, staff reviewed the tree conservation processes in Kitchener and other select municipalities. On April 24, 2023 staff presented report DSD-2023-161 Tree Conservation Processes Review to Committee of Council.

    This report outlined the current approach to tree conservation and management in Kitchener and findings from a scan of processes and tools from select municipalities. This highlighted the opportunity to improve and update Kitchener’s tree conservation tools and the underlying mechanisms and processes. This report was approved by Council.


    What is happening now?

    The Tree Conservation Processes Review involves a series of sub-projects to evaluate specific enhancement opportunities. Those include:

    • Potential updates to our current processes, including:
      • Public Tree By-law (city-owned trees)
      • Tree Conservation By-law (privately-owned trees)
      • Tree Management Policy (Planning Act applications)
    • Potential new initiatives, including:
      • Updating tree protection standards to align with best practices
      • Targeted refresher and education of various tree conservation tools
      • Licensing of tree care professionals working within the municipality
      • Introducing incentive program to support maintenance and retention of trees on private property


    Throughout, we will evaluate enhancement opportunities based on:

    • staff resources needed to achieve the necessary level of improvement
    • budget implications
    • the anticipated improvement in level of tree protection
    • turnaround time for implementation
    • other possible advantages and disadvantages
    • public input on the proposed enhancements


    The current City-Owned Tree Conservation and Management project is evaluating enhancement opportunities related to the Public Tree By-law, which concerns publicly or city-owned trees.

Page last updated: 04 Nov 2024, 09:27 AM