Tree Where You Want Your Parking Pad? Toronto Rules Explained
Before photo of two Toronto properties with boulevard and private trees where Green Apple Landscaping can successfully obtain city permits for front yard parking pads, navigating Toronto tree protection bylaws and Forestry requirements.
Adding a front yard parking pad to your Toronto home can save you endless hassle — no more circling for spots or shuffling cars around. But if there are trees on or near your property, they can dramatically affect what’s possible. Both city boulevard trees and private trees are tightly regulated under Toronto’s tree protection bylaws, and failing to plan for them can mean wasted time, money, and effort.
Why Trees Matter in Parking Pad Design
Toronto’s urban canopy is protected for good reason: trees add shade, beauty, and long-term value to neighbourhoods. But for homeowners, trees can be one of the biggest obstacles in getting a parking pad permit.
Boulevard (city) trees are owned and protected by the City of Toronto. You cannot remove an established city tree for the purpose of building a parking pad. In very limited cases, if a tree was recently planted, the City may consider allowing it to be relocated — but this is rare.
Private trees on your property are also regulated. If a tree is over 30 cm DBH (diameter at breast height), removal is generally not allowed. In exceptional cases where there are multiple trees in the front yard, the City may consider removal of one, but again, this is rare.
Any digging, compaction, or grade change within the Tree Protection Zone (TPZ) counts as “injury” to the root system. The City typically allows up to 15% injury within the TPZ before rejecting a proposal.
The TPZ varies depending on the size of the tree.
What Forestry Requires When Trees Are Nearby
When a parking pad design comes close to trees, City Forestry has a strict process for approval:
Arborist Report – An arborist documents tree size, species, health, and how the pad may impact roots.
Tree Deposit – Forestry requires a financial deposit equal to the appraised value of the tree. This can range from $1,000 for a very small tree to $25,000 for large trees. This ensures the tree is properly protected during the construction process.
Tree Protection Plan – Contractors must follow a detailed plan during excavation, including fencing off the TPZ (hoarding), documenting roots, and obtaining permission before cutting any roots.
Deposit Refund – If all protocols are followed and the tree remains healthy, the deposit is refunded within one to two months after construction. If the plan is ignored, Forestry can hold the deposit for up to two years, and if the tree dies, the money is forfeited.
Design Solutions to Reduce Tree Impact
At Green Apple, we’ve helped many homeowners obtain permits for parking pads near trees in Toronto. Creative design is often the difference between approval and rejection:
Minimize the pad footprint – Build the smallest legal pad (5.3–5.9 m long, 2.2 m wide).
Designing a diagonal-oriented parking pad that goes behind the tree off a mutual driveway.
Use permeable pavers – These allow water to flow to the tree's roots, keeping the tree alive.
Special excavation methods – Hand digging or air spade techniques avoid tearing through major roots.
Root bridging – Notching retaining walls over critical or large roots and minimising the base for portions where major roots are to avoid cutting roots.
Diagonal parking pad tucked behind a city tree in Toronto.
How Green Apple Landscaping Handles the Process
At Green Apple Landscaping, we manage the entire process so our clients don’t have to:
Initial Assessment – We calculate the potential percentage of root injury within the TPZ, and determine feasibility before you incur unnecessary expenses on failed applications.
Landscape Plan – We create a professional plan that balances function, curb appeal, and tree preservation.
Arborist Report – We prepare and coordinate the report required by Forestry.
Negotiation with Forestry – We present your case, explain mitigation measures, and work with the City for approval.
Permit from Transportation Services – Once Forestry is satisfied, we obtain final approvals from Transportation.
Construction & Compliance – We build the pad while maintaining communication with Forestry, documenting roots, and ensuring the tree deposit is fully refunded after construction.
This end-to-end service means you get a legal parking solution without the stress of navigating City departments yourself.
Parking Pad close to a city tree in Toronto
Final Thoughts
Trees can feel like a barrier to building a front yard parking pad in Toronto, but with the right expertise, it’s often possible to design and permit a pad that balances convenience with tree protection. The key is working with professionals who understand the tree protection bylaws, can prepare an accurate arborist report, and know how to negotiate with Forestry to minimize impact.
At Green Apple, we specialize in helping homeowners navigate tree and parking pad challenges — making sure your project is approved, built to last, and compliant with City requirements.
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