What is the Toronto Ravine and Natural Feature Protection By-law, and does it affect my lot?
Answered by AskBaily Editorial · Updated
Short answer
By-law 407-2012 protects Toronto's ravine system — the Don, Humber, Rouge, Highland Creek, Mimico Creek, and smaller tributaries plus their tabletop lands. Any major renovation on a ravine-adjacent parcel (Hoggs Hollow, Rosedale ravines, High Park edges, Bayview Village) requires a separate Ravine Protection permit through Urban Forestry. Typical ravine permit adds 8-20 weeks and can require arborist, geotechnical, and natural-heritage reports.
In detail
Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 658 — better known as the Ravine and Natural Feature Protection By-law (originally 407-2012, consolidated and updated since) — protects more than 11,000 hectares of ravine and tabletop lands across the Don, Humber, Rouge, Highland Creek, Mimico Creek, Etobicoke Creek, and smaller tributary systems. If any portion of your lot is mapped within the regulated ravine area or its 10-metre tabletop buffer, you cannot place fill, remove vegetation, alter grade, or construct anything — including additions, pools, retaining walls, sheds, and even substantial landscaping — without a Ravine Protection permit issued by Urban Forestry.
Neighbourhoods most affected include Hoggs Hollow, the Rosedale ravines, Lawrence Park, Bayview Village, Don Mills, High Park edges, Baby Point, the Kingsway, Bridle Path, and Forest Hill backslopes. Permit applications require a topographic survey overlaid with the regulated boundary, an arborist report inventorying every tree 10 cm DBH and larger within the work area, a tree-protection plan compliant with the City of Toronto Tree Protection Policy, and frequently a geotechnical slope-stability assessment from a P.Eng for any work within 10 metres of the top-of-bank. Major scopes also trigger a natural-heritage impact study and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority concurrence.
Review adds 8 to 20 weeks to the building-permit timeline because Urban Forestry, TRCA, and sometimes Parks all comment in series. Permit fees scale by lot size and disturbance area, typically CAD 800 to 7,500. Compensation tree planting at a 3:1 to 10:1 ratio is standard for any tree removal, and unpermitted work carries fines under section 658-30 of up to CAD 100,000 per offence plus mandatory restoration. Engage a ravine-experienced arborist and surveyor before drawings start — the regulated boundary often sits 10 to 20 metres farther up the lot than homeowners assume, and a misread setback resets your entire schematic.
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