Main bylaws of the City of Candiac regarding trees

Tree Removal Maintenance Planting

Tree Removal

A city permit (authorization certificate) is required to cut down a tree with a diameter greater than 10 cm at breast height on a residential property in Candiac.

On a property located in a commercial, industrial, or community zone, an authorization certificate from the City of Candiac is also required to cut down a tree, except for ash trees. The permit application must be submitted to the Development Department Permits, Requests and Inspections Division. A fee of $1,000 applies for the issuance of this permit.

An authorization certificate (permit) may be issued by the City of Candiac under the following circumstances:

• The tree is dead or irreversibly declining;
• The tree shows a structural deficiency that cannot be corrected;
• The tree is infested by an insect or disease;
• The tree poses a danger to public health or safety;
• The tree constitutes a nuisance or causes damage to private or public property;
• The tree makes it impossible to carry out public works or a construction project, landscaping project, or other developments authorized by the city;
• The tree is non‑compliant with regulations, and cutting is requested by the City.

Note that shading or the falling of leaves, twigs, flowers, or fruits on the property, as well as the presence of surface roots, are not considered damages.

Cutting an Ash Tree

If you wish to cut down an ash tree infested by the emerald ash borer, the City of Candiac offers a support program for owners of ash trees that cannot be treated, allowing them to replace the tree free of charge. The city will offer you a choice of five tree species to replace your ash tree.

For more information about this program, we suggest contacting the Public Works Department at 450‑444‑6040 or by email at: travauxpublics@candiac.ca.

Authorization Certificate (Tree Cutting Permit) for Tree Removal

The processing time for permit applications is approximately 10 business days. The cost of the tree cutting permit is determined based on the cost of the work. The permit is valid for a period of 6 months.

Several methods are available to obtain your permit:

• You can submit an online certificate request by accessing this link: Online Request;
• You can send all required documents by email to the Urban Planning Department at: permis@candiac.ca;
• You can drop off the required documents at City Hall reception in an envelope addressed to the Urban Planning Department.

Required documents:

• Full name, full address, and a phone number;
• Photos of the tree(s), at least two (2) recent color photos and one (1) photo showing the entire tree;
• Diameter at breast height, species, number of trees to be cut, and number of trees remaining on the property after cutting;
• Sketch of the location of the trees to be cut;
• Planting plan for replacement trees;
• Report from a forest engineer, if needed.

If you have questions regarding regulations or permit applications, you may also contact the Sustainable Territorial Development Department at 450‑444‑6050 or by email at permis@candiac.ca.

Maintenance

Adopt BNQ standards as a reference for performing tree maintenance work.

Any action likely to cause irreversible damage to trees is prohibited:

• Breaking/removal of anchoring roots;
• Placing any material or object on the ground (even temporarily) that may hinder water and nutrient absorption by the roots;
• Modifying soil level (backfilling or raising soil) around the root collar or trunk of trees;
• Use of synthetic turf (except in recreational areas).

Planting

Every residential property in the City of Candiac must have at least one tree, based on the lot area. Depending on the lot size, a minimum number of trees is required, as follows:

• 1 tree required on a lot of 1,000 square meters or less;
• 2 trees required on a lot of 1,000 square meters or more.

Any tree that is cut down must be replaced by at least one (1) tree and must be planted within a maximum of one (1) year after the issuance of the tree cutting permit, unless the minimum required number of trees is already met. The planted tree must reach a canopy equal to or greater than that of the removed tree.

When planting is required, at least 50% of the trees must be deciduous. When two (2) trees are required, they must belong to two (2) different functional groups.

When a tree must be planted or replaced, it must meet the following minimum characteristics at planting:

• Have a trunk at least five (5) centimeters in diameter, measured thirty (30) centimeters above the ground, and a minimum height of 1.5 meters for a deciduous tree;
• Have a trunk at least two (2) centimeters in diameter, measured thirty (30) centimeters above the ground, and a minimum height of 1.8 meters for a conifer.

Trees must be planted at:

• A minimum distance of 1.5 meters from the public road right‑of‑way;
• A minimum distance of 3 meters from a fire hydrant, service entrances, and lampposts.

The following tree species cannot be planted within 20 meters of any sidewalk, roadway, underground pipe or conduit, or any structure:

Planting any species of ash tree, as well as any other exotic invasive plant species recognized by the Government of Quebec, is prohibited in the City of Candiac.

No subsidy is offered by the City of Candiac for tree planting on their territory.

Work Near HydroQuébec Power Lines

We can undertake tree cutting and pruning work only near telecommunication wires or low‑voltage wires. Please note that we are not authorized by Hydro‑Québec to perform work near medium‑voltage electrical wires or electricity distribution networks. For more information, we suggest consulting our Aerial network section on our website. You will also find the procedure to help you locate a company authorized by Hydro‑Québec for this type of service.

City of Candiac

100, boulevard Montcalm Nord
Candiac, Québec
J5R 3L8
Land planning and development (urbanism)
450 444-6050
urbanisme@candiac.ca
candiac.ca

Please note that the information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and has no force of law or legal value. For further information or to verify current regulations, please contact the municipality.