A new by-law regulating native trees on private property has come into effect in Kincardine.
The by-law was passed in May, but its rollout was delayed in order to allow staff time to prepare and educate the public.
The goal of the by-law is to preserve the Municipality’s tree canopy through the protection of healthy, mature native trees. It requires property owners or developers who wish to remove one or more of native trees, to get a permit before beginning any work. (Applying for permits is free of charge.)
A permit may not be required if a tree is already dead or injured, is an immediate hazard to people or property, or is being pruned as part of regular maintenance.
"The Municipality of Kincardine is a beautiful place to be, and we want to keep it that way," said Mayor Ken Craig. "We’ve heard from the community that managing the preservation of our natural canopy is important, so ensuring we have a good process in place helps to reinforce this. That’s what this by-law is about. Council also made a commitment through our integrated strategy to protect and preserve the environment."
More information about the by-law can be found at the Municipality's website, including a tool to help property owners determine whether they need a permit for tree removal.
Property owners with questions can contact staff at 519-396-3468.
