Lot & Land Clearing — Ready to Build.
Building, landscaping, or reclaiming overgrown space? We clear trees and brush efficiently, protect what you want to keep, and leave the site clean and workable.
Free Clearing Quote
Same-day assessment. No obligation, no surprise fees.
A clean, cleared site is the start of every great project.
Whether you’re building an addition, putting in a pool, or taking back a yard that’s gone wild, overgrown trees and brush stand in the way.
We clear selectively and efficiently — removing what needs to go, protecting the trees and features you want to keep, and grinding stumps so the ground is ready for the next phase.
You get a tidy, cleared site, all debris hauled away, and honest advice on which trees are worth saving.
We clear sites for
- New builds, additions, and garages
- Pools, patios, and backyard projects
- Overgrown or neglected lots
- Fence lines and property boundaries
- Improved sightlines and sunlight
- Fire-safety and access clearing
Efficient, Selective Clearing
We clear what you need cleared — and protect what you don’t.
- Selective tree removalOnly the trees that need to go — we protect keepers and root zones.
- Brush & undergrowth clearingDense brush, saplings, and scrub cleared down to workable ground.
- Stump grinding includedStumps ground out so the site is ready for build or landscaping.
- Debris chipping & haul-awayEverything chipped and removed — no burning, no piles left behind.
- Tree-protection adviceGuidance on protecting retained trees during construction.
- Permit-aware clearingWe flag protected trees and bylaw considerations before we start.
Lot & Land Clearing: The Details Homeowners Ask For
Straight answers on timing, permits, access, and what it costs you.
- Nesting season
- Active bird nests are protected federally under the Migratory Birds Convention Act. Clearing between roughly April and August needs a nest check first, so winter is the clean window.
- Toronto permits
- Every private tree 30 cm or wider needs its own permit under Chapter 813, every tree in a ravine needs one under Chapter 658 regardless of size, and replacement planting is normally a condition of approval.
- Replacement planting
- The City generally requires replacement trees. Where there is no room to plant them, Urban Forestry accepts cash in lieu at $583 per tree.
- Typical job length
- A day for a small residential lot. Multi-day for anything with mature canopy, a slope, or restricted access.
- Debris
- Chipped on site and hauled, or tubbed and ground where volume makes that cheaper. Trunk wood can stay stacked if you want it.
- What is left behind
- Stumps ground or excavated to the depth the next trade needs, and a site raked to rough grade.
The paperwork is the long pole on a clearing job
Cutting is the fast part. On a North York lot with mature trees, the permits set the schedule. Each protected private tree carries its own application, and where the City posts a public Notice of Application to remove a healthy tree, it stays up on the property for no less than 14 days before a decision.
Ravine land runs on a stricter rule. Under Chapter 658 every tree is protected regardless of diameter, along with the land itself, so clearing near the Don valley or any ravine slope starts with the ravine permit rather than the tree count.
Budget for what goes back. Replacement planting is a standard condition of approval, and where the site cannot hold the required trees the City takes $583 per tree instead. On a builder’s pro forma that is a line item worth knowing before the offer, not after.
Trees you intend to keep need protecting on day one. Once heavy equipment starts moving, root zones get compacted and bark gets torn, and both count as injuring a protected tree under the same bylaw that governs removal.
The North York Tree Standard
The same proven four steps on every job.
Call or Request a Quote
Tell us about the tree. Emergencies answered 24/7.
Free On-Site Assessment
A certified arborist confirms the plan and gives a written price.
Safe, Insured Clearing
Carried out by an equipped, fully insured crew.
Spotless Cleanup
Everything hauled away — your yard left clean and safe.
Overgrown to Build-Ready
A few recent North York jobs — handled safely and cleaned up completely.
Cleared a lot for an addition
A back corner choked with scrub and small trees in the build footprint.
Neglected double lot
Years of overgrowth swallowing half the property.
Backyard cleared for a pool
Several trees and heavy brush where the pool would go.
“They cleared an overgrown back section for our addition, saved the two big maples we wanted to keep, and ground every stump. The site was spotless and ready for the builders.”
Got a site to clear?
Efficient lot and land clearing across North York & the GTA. Free site quote.
Questions Homeowners Ask Us
Do I need a permit to clear trees on my lot?
In Toronto, larger trees and city-owned trees are protected by bylaw. We assess which trees are regulated and guide you through any permits before clearing.
Can you save specific trees I want to keep?
Absolutely. We clear selectively and protect retained trees and their root zones during the work.
Do you grind the stumps too?
Yes — stump grinding is included so the site is workable. Full root removal is available for build areas.
What happens to all the wood and brush?
It’s chipped on site and hauled away. No burning, no debris piles left for you to deal with.
How long does clearing take?
Most residential lots are cleared in one to three days depending on size, density, and access. We’ll give you a timeline with your quote.
Can I clear my lot before I get a building permit?
Not if protected trees are involved. Each private tree 30 cm or wider needs its own removal permit, ravine trees need one at any size, and the City ties approvals and replanting conditions to the development. Clearing first is how owners end up with a stop-work order and a fine between $500 and $100,000 per tree.
What is the best time of year for land clearing?
Late fall through winter. The ground is firm, sightlines are open, and you are clear of the April to August window when active bird nests are federally protected.
Do I have to replant what comes out?
Usually yes. Replacement planting is a normal condition of a removal permit, and where the lot has no room for the required trees, Urban Forestry accepts $583 per tree in cash in lieu.