Forest Management By-law Review

Forest Management by-law

The Forest Management By-law regulates how trees can be cut down or harvested in all woodlands in Grey County. ‘Woodland’ is land that is one hectare or more with a minimum number of trees that varies by tree size. The by-law enforces permits for tree removal, protecting forests while allowing responsible harvesting.  

Approximately 43% of Grey County is covered by forests. The Forest Management by-law is important because it:  

• Promotes woodland preservation 

• Helps mitigate climate change 

• Conserves biodiversity and protects soil and water

Forest Management by-law

How does the current program work?

Under the current by-law, anyone looking to remove, damage, or harvest trees within a woodland must follow a specific set of rules. These include:  

• Maintain enough trees for the area to still be considered a woodland. 

• Avoid unnecessary harm to trees. 

• Post a public notice of harvesting. 

• Mark trees properly before removal. 

• Avoid cutting trees in sensitive natural areas. 

• Follow ‘good forestry’ practices (minimizing harm to forests through responsible activities) or ‘circumference limit’ harvesting (only harvesting trees above a certain size).  

• Obtain a permit. 

There are some common exemptions to this by-law, including:  

• Cutting firewood for your own use. 

• Cutting trees as part of an approved development. 

• Cutting to make way for utilities or a driveway that has a building permit. 

• Clearing to stop trees from spreading into farmland. 

Why is the County reviewing these by-laws? 

• There have been policy and legislative changes at the provincial level through the Municipal Act which impact forest management.  

• The current by-law needs to be clearer and easier to administer.  

• The County has updated its Official Plan and introduced a Climate Change Action Plan. These both impact forest management rules.  

What changes are being considered?

• Whether to continue allowing ‘circumference limit’ harvesting, or only ‘good forestry’ harvesting.  

• Making the process for exceptions clearer and adding rules about replanting and rehabilitation.  

• Requiring replanting when work is stopped due to a by-law violation.  

• Increasing fines for infractions. 

How could this review affect loggers? 

• There could be updates to the application process 

• If good forestry practices becomes the only permitted method, loggers would be required to mark and harvest trees of all sizes, not just those above a certain size.  

How could this review affect landowners?

Landowners could see: 

• More consistent logging across all properties 

• Improvements to overall woodland health 

• Clearer requirements for woodland management 

What is the timeline for this review?

• Public input and research (Spring 2025) 

• Draft by-law development (Summer 2025) 

• Draft by-law presentation to Council (Late Summer/Fall 2025) 

• Updated by-law in effect (Fall/Winter 2025) 

Note: These dates may change as the review progresses. 

Attend the public workshop

A public workshop will be held on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at the Grey Agricultural Service Centre at 206 Toronto St S in Markdale from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. This will be an informal come-and-go with the opportunity to ask questions and leave comments about the review. 

Attend the public open house

A formal public open house well be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at the Grey County Administration Building at 595 9th Ave. East, Owen Sound.

Open house 6:00 p.m. 

Public meeting 7:00 p.m. 

The public meeting will also be streamed live on www.grey.ca/livestream. 

Submit comments online

Complete the form below or email forests [at] grey.ca (forests)trapping [at] grey.ca (@grey.ca) by May 30, 2025.

Submit comments by mail

Mail your written comments before May 30, 2025 to Grey County Planning, 595 9th Ave. East, Owen Sound, ON N4K 3E3.

Learn more about the Wildlife Management by-law review

Learn more about Forest Management in Grey County