Submission checklists › Urban Forestry

Ravine and Natural Feature Protection (RNFP) Permit

City of Toronto: Parks, Forestry & Recreation (Urban Forestry) · version October 29, 2021, Rev. 2.0 (first issued June 25, 2021)

Cover letter including

1	Brief description of the project including: Scope of work Closest municipal address(es) Reason trees and/or vegetation are being impacted (i.e. road widening, station construction, laydown, etc.) Indication if work is also in a Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) regulated area, and confirm if a TRCA Voluntary Project Review (VPR) application will be pursued Details on commitment to compensation/restoration
2	Figure of the study area showing work area, access, laydown, utility relocation (if applicable), and RNFP and TRCA regulation limits (if applicable)
3	Identify tree removal start date, total number of removals and injuries, approximate time for work to be completed (estimate), and reference the Tree Summary Table (see below).
4	List of drawings and technical/supporting documentation

Tree Summary Table (refer to template in Attachment 1). Note: the table will be used as an attachment to the final issued permit

5	Extract information from the Tree Inventory Table in the Arborist Report to create a summary table of the following: tree identification number/grouping information, diameter at breast height (DBH), species, reason for removal/injury, address, removal/injury, compensation ratio, tree category, identify if heritage or memorial tree
6	Sort table by type (removal vs. injury). Do not include dead trees, but provide a separate list of dead trees.

Application form

7	Completed and signed RNFP application form

Administrative documentation

8	Private property owner's information for private trees proposed for injury or removal, if applicable: name, address, phone number and email; tree identification number in accordance with the Arborist Report
9	Confirmation of property ownership, if a change of ownership is anticipated (e.g. transfer of easement, licence agreement, etc.). A copy of the relevant ownership documents and property sketches may be provided.
10	Completed City of Toronto Boundary Tree Permit Application

Technical / supporting information

11	Legal Plan of Survey or Site Plan, including: Footprint of existing and proposed building(s), underground foundation extensions, building entrances, driveways, paved areas, etc. Existing and proposed grades at the perimeter and within the site itself, including grades for all exterior landscaped areas Property line based on survey information Existing and proposed easements RNFP limit delineated on the plans, as well as the TRCA regulation limit if applicable (RNFP boundary lines should be obtained from the City of Toronto's digital version of OpenData) Limit of construction, access points/routes, property boundary lines, existing landmarks/buildings, addresses
12	A sketch/markup of the Site Plan, provided separately, that includes access points/routes, staging/laydown areas and stockpile areas (if any)
13	Landscaping and/or Restoration Plan Cross-section details for all proposed hard surface elements within the RNFP area Proposed soft landscaping features, including planting details and plant lists Proposed replacement trees, indicating species and size (DBH)
14	Removal Plan: All existing trees, noting trees proposed for removal, injury or preservation, including species and size (DBH) and tree identification number in accordance with the Arborist Report Tree protection (LDH, HDH), Tree Protection Zone (TPZ)
15	Grading Plan, if applicable
16	Arborist Report, prepared by a qualified arborist or forester in accordance with the City of Toronto's Arborist Report for Development Application: Details and conditions of existing trees: list containing tree number, species, size DBH (cm), condition, tree category, and to remove/injure/protect in accordance with a Tree Preservation Plan, showing appropriate Tree Protection Zones Summary table including: total count by tree category; injury/removal; compensation for each tree category and total compensation Photos: trees to be removed/injured clearly identified; dead trees Identify any trees on lands that are exempt from the City by-law (e.g. provincial or federal lands) and include a statement that those trees are not subject to this permit application. Include a separate list of those tree removals within the inventory table. Details on pruning, if applicable
17	Geotechnical Report, if applicable (i.e. if grading is proposed), including: Soil conditions and slope stability Proposed drainage, including construction sediment/drainage control plan Measures taken to protect the stability of the ravine slope

Prior to removal/injury, the following must be provided to Urban Forestry

18	Photos of installed tree hoarding (identify tree ID # in photos)
19	Completed Owner's Authorization (if the applicant is not the owner)
20	Completed Certificate of Insurance (required when the RNFP area is on City-owned land)
21	Agreement for Arborists to Perform Arboricultural Services on City Owned Street Trees

Notes

22	RNFP trees are protected under the Ravine and Natural Feature Protection By-law (Chapter 658)
23	Further guidance on tree planting and plant lists: toronto.ca → Tree planting
24	For further guidance, refer to the Guidelines for Completion of an Arborist Report
25	Further guidance on Construction Specifications Near Trees
26	Permission from the City is required prior to accessing a City-owned or operated property, including parkland, where such permission has not otherwise been granted (e.g. through a land access agreement).
27	Fees: no permit fees for RNFP applications
28	Compensation: For RNFP trees in a manicured area with a stem-based approach, the replacement ratio is 1:1 for injuries and 3:1 for removals ($583/tree). For a naturalized area, an area-based approach can apply ($26/m²). The proponent/contractor (as applicable) is to meet with the City to discuss and agree upon the permitting and compensation approach (stem-based or area-based) prior to permit application submission. Compensation cash-in-lieu must be provided to Urban Forestry with the application for all trees removed/injured that are not shown to be replaced/planted on the Landscape/Planting/Restoration Plan. If Landscape/Planting/Restoration Plans are updated after permits are issued and cash in lieu has been paid, refunds are provided by the City after review and approval of the plans.

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