Newmarket wants your feedback on new private tree removal regulations

You can have your say about a proposed Town of Newmarket bylaw that would restrict tree removal on private property. 

The municipality is proposing a private tree protection bylaw, which could affect trees greater than 20 centimetres in diameter at chest height. The bylaw would prohibit removing trees on private lands except where allowed by permit, such as if the tree is dead, hazardous, a nuisance, or to facilitate a building permit.

“As Newmarket grows, it is important to help keep as many trees as possible,” the municipality said on its survey website. “We would especially like to keep mature trees since they provide the most benefits and have the most value.”

Although Newmarket has a bylaw for public tree protection and policies around trees, it does not currently regulate private tree removal beyond developments and natural heritage areas. 

Council discussed the concept at an April 26 workshop. Removal permits could cost more than $1,000 each, with people also required to compensate the town for lost tree cover if removing a tree for development or as a nuisance.

In a previous public consultation on the topic, the town found 87 per cent of respondents felt the town should be doing more to protect trees, and 72 per cent felt there is a problem with developers cutting down trees. 

Town staff indicated at the workshop that they would present the bylaw at a council committee of the whole meeting in late summer or early fall. 

The survey is available until Sept. 10. It is accessible at heynewmarket.ca/privatetreeprotection.

“Trees are a valuable asset to this community and we want to protect them further,” the town said.