Bradford West Gwillimbury's tree rules work a little differently than you might expect. This guide explains when a permit is and isn't required, whether your tree is an ordinary private tree, on Town-owned land, in a qualifying woodland, or part of a larger clearing or development project, based on official Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury and Simcoe County information. It is not legal advice.
Last reviewed: September 29, 2026
Based on current Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury and Simcoe County information as of the reviewed date above, re-verified immediately before publishing given the Town's active private-tree consultation. Municipal and county requirements can change. Confirm current requirements with the relevant authority before regulated work begins.
Your tree is an ordinary private tree, not on Town-owned land, and not part of a qualifying woodland
The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury does not currently have a general tree-preservation by-law covering ordinary trees on private property. The Town has consulted residents on a possible future by-law, but as of this guide's review date, none is in effect.
This general rule has real exceptions. If your tree is on Town-owned land, part of a qualifying woodland, shared with a neighbour, or your project also involves grading or fill work, a different rule applies, covered below.
If you're removing a tree from your property that isn't part of a qualifying woodland, for example a single tree in your yard, you do not currently require a Town permit and do not need to notify the Town.
The Town has been actively consulting residents on a possible future private-tree by-law, including a public survey on the subject. As of this guide's review date, that consultation has not resulted in an enacted private-tree by-law, the Town's own current information confirms none is in effect. If you've seen information elsewhere suggesting otherwise, we'd recommend confirming directly with the Town before relying on it.
Trees on Town-owned property, including parks, boulevards and other municipal land, are protected under the Public Tree Protection By-law 2024-27. This covers direct injury (destruction, cutting roots, applying chemicals) as well as indirect harm such as compacting soil, altering grading, or adding hardscaping near the tree. Residents are not permitted to remove, prune or otherwise interfere with these trees themselves. If you have a concern about a Town-owned tree, contact the Town directly rather than dealing with it yourself.
This isn't a Town by-law matter, it's common law. Ontario courts have generally held that a tree with its trunk on the boundary line between two properties is shared property. That means you cannot remove or significantly alter a shared boundary tree without the consent of every owner it belongs to. Doing so without permission can expose you to civil liability, on top of the strain it puts on a neighbour relationship.
This is where the "no permit needed" answer stops applying. If your tree is part of a woodland, a permit or exemption is required, but it comes from Simcoe County, not the Town. The County's Forest Conservation By-law (By-law No. 6894) applies to woodlands on properties one hectare (2.47 acres) or larger. It does not apply to properties smaller than that, and it doesn't restrict cutting done to erect a building where the necessary approvals are already in place. If your property includes a wooded area like this, contact Simcoe County's Conservation Forester before removing trees from it.
The preferred option for landowners with an interest in the long-term value of their forest. An assessment by a Registered Professional Forester, and tree marking by a qualified individual, help ensure the forest and landowner are protected.
A separate permit type under the same By-law for tree harvesting within a qualifying woodland. Applications must be submitted at least five days before the planned start of harvesting.
A separate application required before removing woodlands that aren't already exempt under the by-law's own conditions, such as clearing tied to an approved building permit. This is the pathway most relevant to converting a wooded area to non-forest use. Applications must be submitted at least three months before the planned start date. There is no fee to apply, and exemption applications are circulated to the County's Planning Department, the local municipality, and the Conservation Authority where applicable.
Removing individual trees is one thing. Clearing land as part of a construction or development project, where grading, fill movement or topsoil removal is also involved, is a different situation and can bring in the Town's Fill and Site Alteration By-law 2017-33.
Land-clearing projects that also involve grading, fill placement, topsoil removal or altering the grade of land may require a separate Town Site Alteration Permit. The Town's own guidance notes that minor work, like lawn dressing, a fence, pool or accessory-structure construction, landscaping, flower beds or vegetable gardens, is not intended to be restricted by this By-law, provided the existing grade is not raised more than about 200mm (8 inches) and drainage isn't altered. Clearing trees and vegetation on their own, without grading or fill work, is not the same thing. If your project involves any site work beyond removing trees, confirm directly with the Town before starting.
If your project involves land or lot clearing rather than a single tree, see Land & Lot Clearing in Bradford West Gwillimbury for how Tree Craft approaches that kind of project, including a real case study.
The Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) has confirmed jurisdiction over the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury as part of the wider Lake Simcoe watershed. Development and site alteration near watercourses, wetlands, or other regulated natural features can require separate LSRCA permission under Ontario Regulation 179/06, in addition to any Town or County requirements. This doesn't apply to every property, it's most relevant to sites near the Holland River, the Holland Marsh, or other regulated features. If your property may be affected, confirm directly with LSRCA before starting work.
Development and construction projects can bring in planning requirements beyond the tree-specific rules covered in this guide. We were not able to confirm specific arborist-report or site-plan tree requirements for Bradford West Gwillimbury development applications from official sources at the time of writing. Rather than guess, we're telling you plainly: if your project involves a development application, confirm these requirements directly with the Town's Planning and Development department before relying on anything written here.
Ordinary tree, Town-owned tree, qualifying woodland, or boundary tree, each follows a different path. If you're not sure which one applies to your situation, a quick call to the Town or Simcoe County before work begins can save real trouble.
If your project involves any grading, fill or topsoil work alongside tree removal, mention this to your contractor and to the Town up front, since that combination is what can bring the Site Alteration By-law into play.
A clear, itemized quote showing scope, equipment and cleanup helps avoid surprises, particularly on larger agricultural or rural properties where access and equipment needs can vary significantly.
Tree Craft Ontario can help with every stage, from understanding which rules apply to your tree or property to completing approved work.
The Town does not currently have a general private-tree preservation by-law covering ordinary trees on private property. The Town has consulted residents on a possible future by-law, but none is in effect yet. Different rules apply to Town-owned trees and to qualifying woodlands, covered below.
Generally no, for an ordinary private tree outside a qualifying woodland. If your tree is on Town-owned land, within a Simcoe County-regulated woodland, or shared with a neighbour, different rules apply.
Simcoe County's Forest Conservation By-law applies to woodlands on properties one hectare (2.47 acres) or larger. If your property includes an area like this, a permit or exemption from Simcoe County, not the Town, may be required before removing trees there.
It's one of the options under Simcoe County's Forest Conservation By-law, for harvesting conducted according to an assessment by a Registered Professional Forester. It's the preferred option for landowners interested in the long-term value of their forest.
It's a separate application under the same County by-law, required before removing woodlands that aren't already exempt under the by-law's own conditions, such as clearing tied to an approved building permit. Exemption applications must be submitted at least three months before the planned start date, and there's no fee to apply.
No. Trees on Town-owned land, including parks and boulevards, are protected under the Town's Public Tree Protection By-law 2024-27. Contact the Town directly about any concerns with a Town-owned tree.
This is a common-law matter, not a Town by-law. Ontario common law generally treats a tree with its trunk on the boundary as shared property, requiring the consent of all owners to remove it.
Not automatically. The Town's Fill and Site Alteration By-law regulates placing or dumping fill, removing topsoil and altering the grade of land; minor work like lawn dressing or a garden bed under about 200mm of grade change is exempt. Land-clearing projects that also involve this kind of grading or fill work may require additional Town approvals; clearing alone, without grading or fill, is a different situation. Confirm your specific project with the Town.
Development and construction projects can involve additional planning requirements beyond what's covered in this guide, and some properties near a watercourse or wetland can fall within Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority jurisdiction. We were not able to confirm specific arborist-report requirements for BWG development applications from official sources, so confirm these directly with the Town's planning department for any development project.
This guide is based primarily on official Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury and Simcoe County information and is provided as practical general information, not legal advice.
