Ste-Marthe-sur-le-Lac felling permit

The zoning regulation (Regulation 1400 chapter 8) aims to ensure sound management of forest cover in urban areas by regulating the felling of trees on the Marthelacquois territory.

Standards to respect

Any person who wishes to fell a tree on their property must obtain a certificate of authorization issued by the City of Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac. This certificate is required for trees with a diameter of 5 cm or more, measured at 1.3 m from the ground.

Felling a tree can only be justified in the following cases:

• The tree is dead, diseased or dangerous (sanitary cutting).
• There is competition between trees (cleaning cutting).
• The tree causes damage to public or private property.
• The tree must be felled to carry out public works.
• The tree must necessarily be felled for the completion of a construction or landscaping project authorized by the municipality. In this case, the project must be planned and carried out in such a way as to minimize the cutting of trees 15 cm or more at the stump. Protective measures must be applied to trees that are preserved.

Depending on the number of trees already present on the land, the City may require the owner to replace the felled tree within the time limit noted on the certificate of authorization. When planted, the replacement tree must have a minimum diameter of 5 cm measured 1.3 m from the ground.

Certificate of authorization

If you want to obtain a felling authorization certificate, submit your request to City Hall by completing the application form.

Obtaining a tree felling authorization certificate costs $10, except in the case of an ash tree.

Controls and infractions

In the case of an infraction of the articles relating to the felling of trees, the offender is liable to a minimum fine of $500 to which are added (in all cases, prosecution costs are additional) :

• An amount of $100 to $200 per illegally felled tree, up to $5,000, in the case of felling extending over an area of less than 1 hectare;
• A fine of $5,000 to $15,000 per complete hectare deforested to which is added, for each fraction of hectare deforested, an amount determined in accordance with the preceding paragraph, in the case of felling over an area of 1 hectare and more.

The amounts provided for in the preceding paragraphs are doubled in the event of a repeat offense.
Compliance with the regulations is ensured by the competent authorities of the City of Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac.