Tree Protection Hoarding in Toronto
Plywood hoarding built to City of Toronto Urban Forestry specifications, installed before your work starts.
What Toronto requires
Toronto’s standard is the Tree Protection Policy and Specifications for Construction Near Trees (Urban Forestry). It requires:
- Barrier: 2.4 m (8′) plywood hoarding, at least 19 mm (¾”) thick, or an equivalent approved by Urban Forestry. Height can be lower to clear low branches where Urban Forestry approves.
- On the City road allowance: where visibility matters, 1.2 m (4′) orange snow fencing on a 2×4 (38 × 89 mm) frame.
- Signs: on all sides of the barrier for trees protected by the Street Tree and Private Tree By-laws, at least 40 × 60 cm, white corrugated plastic. Signs are available from Urban Forestry’s Tree Protection and Plan Review counters.
- Inspection: install all protection before any site activity, then contact Urban Forestry to arrange inspection and approval, with photos of the installed protection.
- Removal: barriers stay in place until Urban Forestry authorizes removal or alteration.
Minimum protection distances
Measured from the outside edge of the trunk, by diameter at 1.4 m.
| Trunk diameter | Minimum tree protection zone |
|---|---|
| Under 10 cm | 1.2 m |
| 10–29 cm | 1.8 m |
| 30–40 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 |
| Over 100 cm | 6 cm per 1 cm of diameter |
In ravine and natural feature areas, the zone is the drip line or the table distance, whichever is greater. Urban Forestry may require more.
Protected trees
- City-owned trees: any size.
- Private trees: 30 cm diameter and larger, under the Private Tree By-law.
- Ravine and natural feature areas: protected under the Ravine and Natural Feature Protection By-law.
Need it built in Toronto?
Send us your permit conditions or Tree Protection Plan and we’ll quote it to Toronto’s spec.
What we build in Toronto
8′ plywood hoarding on a braced 2×4 frame as standard, framed snow fence on the road allowance where the City calls for visibility, and the City’s signs on every side.
Toronto FAQ
Why plywood?
Toronto’s specification calls for 2.4 m plywood hoarding as the standard barrier. Snow fencing is the exception, for the road allowance where sightlines matter.
Do I need anything for my building permit?
Toronto asks for a Tree Declaration Form with building permit applications. If trees are affected, tree permits and protection apply separately. Tree by-laws don’t stop a building permit from being issued, but you still need any required tree permits.
What are the fines?
Fines under Toronto’s tree by-laws range from $500 to $100,000 per tree.
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
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 Toronto?
Send us your permit conditions, site plan or arborist’s Tree Protection Plan and we’ll quote it to your municipality’s spec.