King Township's tree rules work differently from most nearby municipalities. This guide explains when a permit is and isn't required, whether your tree is an ordinary private tree, in a woodlot, on municipal property, or shared with a neighbour, based on official Township of King and York Region information. It is not legal advice.
Last reviewed: September 28, 2026
Based on current Township of King and York Region information as of the reviewed date above. Municipal and regional requirements can change. Confirm current requirements with the relevant authority before regulated work begins.
Your tree is an ordinary private tree, not within a woodlot, not on municipal property, and not shared with a neighbour
King Township currently does not have a general tree-preservation by-law covering ordinary trees on private property. This is different from most surrounding municipalities, and it's easy to assume King works the same way. It doesn't.
This general rule has real exceptions. If your tree is in a woodlot, on municipal or road-allowance property, 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 woodlot or woodland, for example, a single tree in your yard, you do not currently require a Township permit and do not need to notify the Township. That said, the Township still recommends keeping a healthy tree that isn't a safety risk, and this guide isn't a reason to remove trees you don't need to.
A private Tree By-law was drafted and consulted on in King Township in 2019, covering the village areas of King City, Nobleton and Schomberg. It was never approved. Some information online still describes King as having an active private-tree by-law from that effort. As of this guide's review date, that is not accurate, the Township's own current information confirms no such by-law is in force.
Trees on municipally-owned property, such as parks or road allowances, are protected under Township By-law 73-54. Residents are not permitted to remove or prune these trees themselves. If you have a concern about a municipal tree, for example a hazard near the road, contact the Township directly rather than dealing with it yourself.
This one isn't a Township by-law matter at all, it's common law. A 2013 Ontario Superior Court decision determined that a tree with its trunk straddling a property line is considered 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 King Township's usual "no permit needed" answer stops applying. If your tree is part of a woodlot or woodland, a permit is required, but it comes from York Region, not the Township. York Region's Forest Conservation By-law (Bylaw Number 2013-68, in force since October 1, 2013) applies to treed areas greater than 0.2 hectares (0.5 acres). If your property includes an area like this, contact York Region Forestry before removing any trees from it.
Issued for tree removal carried out according to good forestry practices, following a silvicultural prescription prepared by a Registered Professional Forester or an Ontario Professional Foresters Association associate member. The bylaw's original fee schedule lists $25 for this permit; we were not able to independently confirm from a current York Region source whether that amount still applies, so confirm the current fee directly with York Region rather than relying on this figure.
The second permit type under the same By-law, for circumstances that fall outside standard good-forestry-practice work. York Region can confirm which permit type fits your specific situation.
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 Township's Site Alteration By-law (2021-039).
Land-clearing projects that also involve grading, fill movement, topsoil removal or other regulated site alteration may require additional Township approvals. Clearing trees and vegetation on their own, without grading or fill work, is not the same thing, and we could not confirm from official sources that vegetation clearing alone triggers this By-law. If your project involves any site work beyond removing trees, confirm directly with the Township before starting.
If your project involves land or lot clearing rather than a single tree, see Land & Lot Clearing in King City for how Tree Craft approaches that kind of project, including a real King City land-clearing case study.
Development and construction projects can bring in planning and site-plan requirements beyond the tree-specific rules covered in this guide. We were not able to confirm specific arborist-report requirements, Oak Ridges Moraine or Greenbelt tree provisions, or conservation-authority permit requirements for King Township 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 Township's planning department before relying on anything written here.
Ordinary tree, woodlot, municipal tree, or boundary tree, each follows a different path. If you're not sure which one applies to your situation, a quick call to the Township or York Region 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 Township 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 rural or acreage 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 to completing approved work.
King Township currently does not have a general tree-preservation by-law covering ordinary trees on private property. This is different from most surrounding municipalities. Different rules can still apply to woodlots, municipal trees and shared boundary trees, covered below.
Generally no, for an ordinary private tree outside a woodlot. King Township does not currently require a Township permit for this. If your tree is within a woodlot, on municipal or road-allowance property, or shared with a neighbour, different rules apply.
York Region's Forest Conservation By-law 2013-68 applies to treed areas greater than 0.2 hectares (0.5 acres). If your property includes an area like this, a permit from York Region, not the Township, may be required before removing trees there.
It's one of two permit types under York Region's Forest Conservation By-law, for tree removal conducted according to good forestry practices as set out in a silvicultural prescription prepared by a Registered Professional Forester or an Ontario Professional Foresters Association associate member.
It's the second permit type under York Region's Forest Conservation By-law, issued by York Region for circumstances outside standard good-forestry-practice work. Contact York Region directly to determine which permit type applies to your situation.
No. Municipally-owned trees, including those on parks and road allowances, are protected, and residents may not remove or prune them. Contact the Township directly about any concerns with a municipal tree.
This is a common-law matter, not a Township by-law. A 2013 Ontario Superior Court decision holds that a tree with its trunk straddling a property line is shared property, requiring the consent of all owners to remove it.
Not automatically. The Township's Site Alteration By-law regulates grading, fill movement and topsoil removal. Land-clearing projects that also involve this kind of work may require additional Township approvals; clearing alone, without grading or fill, is a different situation. Confirm your specific project with the Township.
Development and construction projects can involve additional planning and site-plan requirements beyond what's covered in this guide. We were not able to confirm specific arborist-report or conservation-authority requirements for King Township development applications from official sources, so confirm these directly with the Township's planning department for any development project.
This guide is based primarily on official Township of King and York Region information and is provided as practical general information, not legal advice.
