Help us find the right balance to protect and enhance Guelph's tree canopy while we continue to grow and develop across the city.

Guelph values its tree canopy cover and the numerous contributions trees make to the health of our community. A private tree protection bylaw is one of the tools the City uses to protect and enhance tree canopy cover, and to help build a sustainable city.

Increasing pressures on Guelph’s tree canopy cover related to urban intensification and climate change, as well as updates to related policies and regulations, have made reviewing and updating the current Private Tree Protection Bylaw a priority.

In late 2022, the City retained a multi-disciplinary consulting team to lead the research and engagement for Guelph’s Private Tree Protection Bylaw update. In the spring of 2023 we reached out to the community to hear about your thoughts about and experiences with the private tree bylaw. Now we’re seeking your input to options identified for updating the bylaw!

Engagement summary from Phase 1

Thank you to everyone who participated in our survey and conversations throughout Phase 1. We've analyzed the information and summarized what we heard throughout the spring of 2023 to share in our What We Heard Phase 1 Summary.

Opportunities for Engagement in Phase 2

Between April 30 and May 27 we are reaching out to the community to get your input on the options for updating Guelph’s private tree bylaw being considered.

On March 5, 2024, staff presented an "Issues and Opportunities" report to the Committee of the Whole. This report identified four options for updating Guelph’s private tree bylaw which it recommended be presented to the community for feedback, along with a few other considerations. This report and its recommendations were approved by Council on March 26 and now it is your change to tell us what you think!

We’re asking the community to weigh in on whether the size of tree(s) regulated and/or the size of lot(s) captured by the bylaw should change, and share their thoughts on a few other aspects of the bylaw.

Please take 10 minutes to complete the online survey open from April 30 to May 27 (survey coming soon)

You are also invited to join us at any of the following public events:

• In-person pop-up: Saturday, May 4, drop in between 10:30 am ‒ 1:30 p.m. at Victoria Road Recreation Centre, 151 Victoria Rd N
• Virtual information session: Wednesday, May 8, 6:30‒8 p.m. – Register for the Zoom link here.
• In-person pop-up: Saturday, May 11, 8 a.m.‒1 p.m. at the Guelph Farmer’s Market, 2 Gordon Street
• In-person information session: Tuesday, May 14, 6:30‒8 p.m. at Guelph City Hall, Room C, 1 Carden Street

Interested in learning more about the options being considered for updating Guelph's private tree bylaw?

• Check out the Phase 2 information session slide deck
• Read the background section of this page for the highlights
• See the Phase 2 backgrounder or see the Phase 2 Issues and Options report to dig even deeper
• Call or email us

What's Next

A summary of the feedback from the second round of engagement will be shared with the community later in 2024.

The direction for updating Guelph’s Private Tree Protection Bylaw will be confirmed based on

• the findings of the background review and assessments;
• the local context and issues;
• feedback gathered in Phase 1 and Phase 2; and
• input from City staff (e.g., legal, bylaw).

The updated private tree bylaw is to be presented to Council for approval in the first half of 2025.

This bylaw, along with other planning tools, is expected to help the City accommodate growth and intensification while also sustaining and enhancing Guelph’s tree canopy cover. These efforts are also expected to help us build local resilience to climate change.

For more information, please contact:

Timea Filer, Urban Forestry Field Technologist
City of Guelph
519-822-1260 extension 3352
timea.filer@guelph.ca