Châteauguay changes its rules on felling trees

The city of Châteauguay has changed its rules governing the planting and felling of trees within its boundaries. To cut down a tree on your property, you must now provide justification and meet specific criteria. The city is also increasing the minimum number of trees required per square metre of land.

Translation Amanda Bennett

The aim of the new regulations is to increase the canopy and reduce heat islands in the city, as Mayor Eric Allard explained at the October municipal council meeting. "Rather than allowing trees to be felled and requiring that any felled tree be replaced without any special conditions, we are proposing to prohibit felling and impose conditions to allow it," he explained.

Residents will have to apply for a permit to cut down a tree and prove that it is for one of the reasons authorized in the by-laws, such as a tree that is dead; that constitutes a health or safety hazard; that is diseased and likely to infest neighbouring trees; or that it constitutes an obstacle to the construction of a building and there is no conservation alternative.

The city also requires proof from an arborist or forestry engineer that the tree is diseased before requesting that it be felled. A photo of a dangerous tree may also be accepted as proof, noted the Mayor.

More Trees per Plot

At the same time, Châteauguay has also amended its tree-planting by-law. Previously, only one tree was required in the front yard, and each tree felled had to be replaced. ‘The new regulations still require at least one tree in the front yard, but there must also be one for every 10 linear metres of lot width,’ explains Isabelle Beyrouti, the city’s director of communications. However, it is no longer necessary to replace every tree felled if the minimum number of trees required per plot is respected.

In fact, the city now requires one tree per 250 square metres of land area for "residential" use. "This gives an average of one to three trees per detached single-family home," said Mr. Allard. This new requirement applies when a citizen requests a tree-felling permit.

As for the species of tree to be planted, residents can choose from a list of 70 species drawn up by the city.