Tree Protection Hoarding in Burlington
Built to City of Burlington Standard Specification SS12A and ready for inspection before your work starts.
What Burlington requires
Burlington’s tree protection standard is SS12A, Tree Protection and Preservation. It requires:
- Barrier: 1.2 m (4′) orange plastic web snow fencing on a 2×4 frame. Page wire fencing with reflective tape can be used where orange fencing would block sightlines.
- Supports: all supports and bracing must be outside the Minimum Tree Protection Zone (MTPZ).
- Sign: a laminated MTPZ sign (City Detail TP-3), at least 10″ × 14″, on the most visible side of the barrier.
- Timing: installed before any construction or grading starts, and kept upright and in good repair for the whole project.
- Removal: barriers stay up until the project is complete. Removing them early needs written authorization from the City.
- Near stockpiles: where fill or excavated material will be placed close to the zone, a wooden barrier with silt fencing is required.
Minimum protection distances
The MTPZ is measured from the outside edge of the trunk, based on trunk diameter at 1.4 m (DBH).
| Trunk diameter | Minimum tree protection zone |
|---|---|
| Under 10 cm | 1.8 m |
| 11–40 cm | 2.4 m |
| 41–50 cm | 3.0 m |
| 51–60 cm | 3.6 m |
| 61–70 cm | 4.2 m |
| 71–80 cm | 4.8 m |
| 81–90 cm | 5.4 m |
| 91–100+ cm | 6.0 m |
The City may require a larger zone.
Protected trees
- City and boulevard trees: every public tree, any size, under the Public Tree By-law (98-2025).
- Private trees: trees 20 cm DBH and larger within Burlington’s Urban Planning Area, under the Private Tree By-law (040-2022).
Need it built in Burlington?
Send us your permit conditions or Tree Protection Plan and we’ll quote it to Burlington’s spec.
What we build in Burlington
Framed snow-fence hoarding to SS12A: full-length 2×4 plates, a stud at every joint, supports kept outside the protection zone, and the City’s TP-3 sign mounted where it’s visible. We’ve installed to this spec in Burlington.
Burlington FAQ
Do I need tree protection for my building permit?
If your work could injure a regulated tree, yes. If no regulated trees are affected, Burlington asks for a Tree Declaration Form with the building permit application.
Can I take the fence down when I’m done?
Not on your own. SS12A says removing barriers before construction is complete needs written authorization from the City, and under the Private Tree By-law the permit holder notifies the Forest Protection Officer before tree protection comes down.
What does it cost if the City finds problems?
The Private Tree By-law has a $500 compliance inspection fee per contravention. Public Tree By-law fines range from $250 up to $100,000.
Do you build to the arborist report?
Yes. We build what the arborist report states: the protection zones, the barrier type and any extra measures it calls for. Where the report asks for more than the City minimum, we build to the report.
Can you recommend an arborist?
Yes. If your permit needs an arborist report or Tree Protection Plan and you don’t have one yet, tell us when you get in touch and we’ll recommend an arborist.
From the municipality’s own documents
- City of Burlington SS12A: Tree Protection and Preservation
- Forest Protection and Tree Permits
- Public Tree By-law 98-2025
Requirements summarized from the documents above. Your permit conditions or approved Tree Protection Plan always take precedence. Confirm with the municipality if anything differs.
Tree protection in Burlington?
Send us your permit conditions, site plan or arborist’s Tree Protection Plan and we’ll quote it to your municipality’s spec.