Hamilton is the one city in the area where the honest answer to "do I need a permit?" is "it depends on your address." That confuses a lot of homeowners and a few tree companies. Here is what tree removal costs across Hamilton, which rules apply where, and what is likely to change.
2026 tree removal prices in Hamilton
| Tree | Height | Trunk diameter | Removal (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | Under 25 ft | Under 25 cm | $350 - $750 |
| Medium | 25 - 50 ft | 25 - 45 cm | $750 - $1,900 |
| Large | 50 - 75 ft | 45 - 70 cm | $1,900 - $3,800 |
| Very large or mature | 75 ft and up | 70 cm and up | $3,800 - $9,000 |
Access drives the price as much as size. A maple in an open Binbrook backyard that can be felled in one piece is a fraction of the cost of the same tree in a lower city backyard between a garage, a fence and hydro lines, where it comes down in sections on ropes. Escarpment lots with slopes, and anything leaning over a roof, sit at the top of the range.
Stump grinding is priced separately: $120 to $220 for a stump under 30 cm, $200 to $350 for 30 to 60 cm and $350 to $800 above that, or $150 to $500 more to haul the grindings and fill with topsoil so you can sod over it. Dead ash costs 25% to 60% more to take down because the wood turns brittle, and storm call-outs run 1.5 to 2.5 times the normal rate. Our tree removal cost guide explains what moves a quote.
Removals and any climbing or aerial work are done by our ISA Certified Arborist partners, fully insured and WSIB covered. Our own crew handles planting, shrub work, cleanup and the replacement trees a permit often requires, so you deal with one company from the permit to the new tree.
Do you need a permit to remove a tree in Hamilton?
As of October 2026, Hamilton is still working from the patchwork it inherited at amalgamation. The City's own spring 2026 consultation lists three older private tree by-laws still in effect:
- Stoney Creek has its own tree by-law.
- Dundas has its own tree by-law.
- Ancaster has a heritage tree by-law protecting large, significant trees.
On top of those, regional and urban woodland by-laws protect trees in woodlots, so a backyard that backs onto a wooded ravine or the escarpment can be covered even where the rest of the street is not. Outside those areas, most single trees on an ordinary lower city or Mountain lot can be removed without a City permit today. Check your address with the City before work starts; we do this before quoting.
The new harmonized by-law
Hamilton consulted on a harmonized private tree by-law from March 12 to April 23, 2026. The draft would require a permit, inside the urban boundary, to remove a tree of 45 cm or more in diameter at 1.4 m above ground. It exempts dead and hazardous trees, emergencies and trees within 2 m of an occupied building, and asks for 1:1 replacement, more next to natural areas. Two or fewer trees would need an application, a fee and a sketch; three or more would add an arborist report. The next step listed is presenting it to Council, with no date set. If you have a big tree you have been meaning to deal with, it is worth knowing the rules are likely to tighten.
Rules that apply everywhere in Hamilton
- Boundary trees. Under Ontario's Forestry Act, a tree whose trunk grows on the property line belongs to both neighbours, and injuring or removing it without their consent is an offence with fines up to $20,000. Get the neighbour's consent in writing.
- City trees. Trees on the road allowance in front of your home belong to the City and are looked after by its Forestry section. You cannot remove or prune them yourself; contact the City.
- Nesting birds. The federal nesting period guidance puts the main nesting season in southern Ontario from about late March or early April to late August. Disturbing an active nest is an offence, so we inspect before cutting in those months, and late fall and winter are the easiest times to remove a tree.
- Ash wood. Hamilton is an emerald ash borer regulated area, so ash logs and firewood cannot be moved out of the area without federal authorization. We chip or dispose of ash locally.
- Escarpment and creeks. Felling a tree is not usually a conservation authority matter, but grading, stump and root removal or work near a creek or valley in a Hamilton Conservation Authority regulated area can need their permit.
Where we work in Hamilton
Lower city, the Mountain, Stoney Creek, Ancaster, Dundas, Waterdown, Binbrook and Flamborough. Most single removals are quoted after a site visit and done within two to three weeks, faster for a hazard tree.
Frequently asked questions
How much does tree removal cost in Hamilton?
About $350 to $750 for a small tree, $750 to $1,900 for a medium tree and $1,900 to $3,800 for a large one in 2026. Very large trees run $3,800 to $9,000. Stump grinding is extra.
Do I need a permit to cut down a tree in Hamilton?
It depends where you are. Hamilton has no city-wide private tree by-law yet, but older by-laws still apply in Stoney Creek, Dundas and to heritage trees in Ancaster, and woodland by-laws cover trees in woodlots.
Is Hamilton bringing in a private tree by-law?
Yes, a harmonized by-law covering trees 45 cm or larger inside the urban boundary was consulted on in spring 2026. It had not been passed as of October 2026.
Can I remove a tree on the property line?
Only with your neighbour's consent. Boundary trees are common property under Ontario's Forestry Act, and removing one without consent is an offence.
Can I cut down the City tree in front of my house?
No. Trees on the road allowance belong to the City. Contact the City about pruning or removal.
When is the best time to remove a tree?
Late fall and winter. Nesting season runs roughly late March to late August, the ground is firmer in winter, and there is less damage to lawns and beds.