Public Tree Permit

Once you have all the relevant project details, including those of the Tree Protection Plan or a Preservation Plan signed by an approved designate, the next step is to apply for the Public Tree Permit at Self Service. The City of Edmonton Self-Service portal includes a digital tree protection plan form that can be completed online with your application to satisfy your tree protection plan requirements.

Once submitted, the Public Tree Permit application will be reviewed by an Urban Forester. If the application meets the requirements, a Public Tree Permit will be issued within 10 business days. Incomplete applications or applications with inadequate tree protections will be sent back to the applicant with a request for revision and may delay approval. 

Applicants can track the status of all permit applications through the permit application self service portal. Because tree protections have this dedicated permit process, the Public Tree Permit will not hold up or be held up by other permit applications.

Once the Public Tree Permit is issued, the tree protection and preservation measures in the plan can be installed. As with other City permits, a copy of the Public Tree Permit or the permit number must be produced upon request when work on-site is occurring. The City recommends that photos of the trees and installed protection measures be submitted through the self service portal by permit holders prior to work beginning on-site.

All mitigation efforts and tree protections must be in place before beginning the project work and throughout the duration of the project. Initiating any work without obtaining a valid Public Tree Permit is considered an offense under the  Public Tree Bylaw 18825 .

The Public Tree Permit holder will be responsible for ensuring that the Tree Protection or Preservation Plan is fully implemented and the conditions of the permit are being met at all times by anyone working on the site.

Failure to obtain a permit or follow Tree Protection or Preservation Plans may result in fines starting at $1000, which bylaw officers may double daily, the province’s Municipal Governance Act allows fines up to $10,000; any additional tree repair and equitable compensation costs may also be charged to the permit holder, as per the Corporate Tree Management policy (C456C).

If the work plans change, reach out to the contact information on the approved Public Tree Permit. Permit extensions can be applied for up to the original permit end date at no additional cost.

The permit holder is required to remove all tree protection materials and return the work area to its original condition on the permit end date. Please notify the Urban Forester once the work has been completed and tree protection materials have been removed. For Tree Protection Plans, permit holders are recommended to submit photos at project completion, showing no construction-related damage to protected trees or root zones. Photos can be uploaded in Self Service while your permit is active and for 30 days post-expiry.

Protecting and preserving Edmonton’s urban forest takes a community effort. The City of Edmonton thanks citizens and industry for partnering with Urban Forestry on ensuring the benefits of trees can be enjoyed by all Edmontonians today and tomorrow.

The information on this page is intended for users of the Public Tree Permit process. For tree protection information related to utility and telecommunications companies, please contact your organization's representative in Urban Forestry.