Ecology for City Agency, Corporation & Division-Owned Facilities

Urban Forest: Increase Tree Canopy

EC 1.1 Tree Planting and Soil Volume

Create tree planting areas within the site and in the adjacent public boulevard that meet the soil volume and other requirements necessary to provide tree canopy. Determine the total amount of soil required by the following formula:

 40% of the site area ÷ 66 m² x 30 m³  = total soil volume required

Ensure that each separate tree planting area has a minimum space of 30m³ soil.^1,2

EC 1.2 Trees Along Street Frontages

Plant large growing shade trees along street frontages that are spaced appropriately having regard to site conditions, and that have access to a minimum of 30m³ of soil per tree.^3,4,5

EC 1.3 Parking Lots

If surface parking is permitted and provided, plant large growing shade trees throughout the parking lot interior at a minimum ratio of one tree planted for every five parking spaces supplied.⁶

EC 1.4 Watering Program

Provide a watering program for trees for at least the first 2 years after planting.⁷

Specifications & Resources

Tree and Natural Feature Protection Bylaws General Note

Ensure compliance with all applicable City of Toronto Tree Protection Bylaws:

a) Private Tree Protection Bylaw (City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 813, Article III) Injury or removal of trees measuring 30 cm in diameter or larger is prohibited on private property, except where a permit is issued.
b) Ravine and Natural Feature Protection Bylaw (City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 658)
Injury or removal of any tree within a Ravine Protection Bylaw Area property is prohibited, except where a permit is issued.
c) Trees on City Streets (City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 813, Article II) Injury or removal of any tree on City streets and roadways is prohibited, except where a permit is issued.
d) Parks (City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 608, Article VII) Parks. All trees located in a City park are protected.

1. Trees and soil should be distributed within the site and along the public boulevard. The “site area” is the privately-owned portion of the property affected by the development. The “public boulevard” is the City-owned portion. For these purposes, the site area may exclude areas dedicated for active recreation or local food production, Privately-Owned Publicly Accessible Spaces and dedicated parkland.
2. Within these planting areas, tree canopy may be achieved by planting individual trees or by planting a variety of appropriate species to create a naturalized planting.
3. Soil volume of 30m³ is based on a minimum soil depth of 0.8 m and a maximum of 1.6 m of high quality soil above a well-drained sub-soil or drainage layer. Trees may be planted so that they can share soil volume within planting areas.
   Where trees are planted within hardscape, soil cells, which are subsurface modular structures designed to provide un-compacted soil for trees and provide stormwater retention, are recommended. The methods used to provide soil volume under hardscape must be approved by Urban Forestry.
4. Species selection, size and distribution will vary by project. Large growing shade trees are preferred. For suggestions on species selection refer to the City of Toronto’s Native Plant Lists and the Tree Planting Brochure and/or contact Urban Forestry.
5. A minimum of 8m spacing is required, however where site conditions are appropriate, reduced spacing may be accepted e.g. at the end of a row along a street frontage or to accommodate a driveway. 30m³ of soil per tree will need to be maintained regardless of spacing between trees.
6. Distribute large growing shade trees so that no parking space is more than 30m from a tree. On small or narrow sites, shade trees provided in non-street facing perimeter planting areas can be counted towards the internal tree requirement, provided that the maximum distance from a parking space (30m) is met. Refer to the Design Guidelines for ‘Greening’ Surface Parking Lots for details.
7. Trees need water to survive. Water is used by trees to carry nutrients obtained from the soil throughout the tree. For the first 2 to 3 years after a tree is planted, the area around the base of the tree should be kept moist at all times. Watering programs should include a watering schedule may include the implementation of manual watering, irrigation systems and slow release watering bags.

Natural Heritage

EC 2.1 Ravine and Natural Feature Protected Areas and Natural Heritage System

Plant the landscaped area within the Natural Heritage System and the Ravine Protected Area with 100% native plants (including trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants).^1,2,3

EC 2.2 Ravine and Protected Areas Buffers

Where a setback from the top-of-bank is required within the Natural Heritage System or the Ravine Protected Area prepare and implement a stewardship plan for the area.^3,4,5,6

Specifications & Resources

1. Native plant species are defined as plants that live or grow naturally in a region without direct or indirect human intervention. For suggestions on species selection refer to the City of Toronto’s Native Plant Lists or the Drought Tolerant Landscaping: A Resource for Development document.
2. Native species may not be suitable for all areas within the Natural Heritage System and Ravine and Natural Feature Protected areas. Non-native species may be considered upon consultation with Urban Forestry.
3. Ravine protected areas are defined in accordance with the City of Toronto Ravine and Natural Feature Protection Bylaw. The Natural Heritage System is identified on Map 9 of the City of Toronto’s Official Plan.
4. A development setback is defined in Section 3.4.8a) of the City of Toronto’s Official Plan as 10m from the top-of-bank of a valley, ravine or bluff. Buffer areas are addressed under Section 3.4.12d). Where the top-of-bank is unstable, minimum setbacks may be greater than 10m. Minimum buffer widths may be greater than 10m for significant features such as Provincially Significant Wetlands, Life Science Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI) and Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA).
5. All stewardship plans must be reviewed and approved by Urban Forestry. Pre-application consultation is recommended to clarify and scope the submission requirements for the particular site.

Biodiversity In Landscapes

EC 3.1 Native and Pollinator Supportive Species

Plant the landscaped site area using a minimum of 50% native plants (including trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants).^1,2,3

EC 3.2 Invasive species

Do not plant any invasive species within the site or along street frontages.⁴

EC 3.3 Biodiverse Green Roofs for Pollinators

Provide a minimum of 50% of the Available Roof Space as biodiverse green roof.^5,6

Specifications & Resources

1. Native plant species are defined as plants that live or grow naturally in a region without direct or indirect human intervention. For suggestions on species selection refer to the City of Toronto’s Native Plant Lists or the Drought Tolerant Landscaping: A Resource for Development
2. The minimum 50% native plant requirement refers to the total population of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants.
3. Native species may not be suitable for all areas within the Natural Heritage System and Ravine and Natural Feature Protected areas. Non-native species may be considered upon consultation with Urban Forestry.
4. Invasive species are species that reproduce aggressively and become established in a natural area by displacing native species. Invasive species may be planted in some areas within the City of Toronto upon agreement by Urban Forestry staff. To learn more about invasive plant species please see the Ontario Invasive Plant Council website.
5. Biodiverse green roofs require variation in depth, topography and composition of growing medium; vegetation diversity; and structures to create niche spaces for organisms and must include the following:

• Diversity of plant species on the recommended species lists in the Design Guidelines for Biodiverse Green Roofs;
• 15cm-depth of growing media that is biologically derived with high organic content, low bulk density and high water retention capacity;
• Two or more growing media including one of which is biologically derived and compost-based; allowance for horizontal movement in the substrate and does not include compartmentalised modular tray systems; and
• Irrigation system or mechanisms in place for supplemental watering when necessary.

6. Biodiverse green roofs located at or below the 8^th storey of building must incorporate plants with at least two species in bloom at all periods over the growing season to support pollinator species. Refer to the Design Guidelines for Biodiverse Green Roofs

Bird Collision Deterrence

EC 4.1 Bird friendly glazing

Use a combination of the following strategies to treat a minimum of 85% of all exterior glazing within the greater of first 16 m of the building above grade or the height of the mature tree canopy (including clear glass corners, parallel glass and glazing surrounding interior courtyards and other glass surfaces):¹

• Low reflectance, opaque materials²
• Visual markers applied to glass with a maximum spacing of 50 mm x 50 mm^3,4

Fly-through conditions: Treat glazing at all heights resulting in a fly-through condition with visual markers at a spacing of no greater than 50 mm x 50 mm. Fly through conditions that require treatment include:⁵

• Glass corners
• Parallel glass
• Building integrated or free-standing vertical glass
• At-grade glass guardrails
• Glass Parapets.

EC 4.2 Rooftop vegetation

Treat the first 4 m of glazing above the feature and a buffer width of at least 2.5 m on either side of the feature using strategies from EC 4.1.

EC 4.3 Grate porosity

Ensure ground level ventilation grates have a porosity of less than 20 mm X 20 mm (or 40 mm x 10 mm).

Specifications & Resources

1. Bird friendly design aims to reduce bird collisions and mortalities caused by reflective glazing by: making glazed areas visually distinct to birds and by reducing images of trees or sky reflected in glass through shading/muting reflections. The most critical zone for bird collisions is a minimum of the first 16m above grade or to the height of the surrounding mature tree canopy. If the site is adjacent to a natural area feature, including where separated from the natural area by a road, or has mature trees on or adjacent to the site, glass must be treated to the first 16m of the building or to the height of the top of the surrounding tree canopy at maturity, whichever is greater.
2. Low reflectance, opaque materials may include spandrel glass with one of the following: (i) Solid back-painted frit or silicone backing opaque coatings OR; (ii) Reflective or low-e coatings that have an outside reflectance of 15% or less. Spandrel glass with reflective or low-e coatings that have an outside reflectance of greater than 15% should be used in combination with other strategies.
3. Visual markers consist of opaque points or patterns on the exterior or interior surfaces of glass. Visual markers  must have a minimum width 5mm and a maximum spacing of 50 mm x 50 mm. Ceramic frit patterns must have a strong contrast (e.g. white). Grey frit does not provide a strong contrast and is not permitted. Patterns on the first (exterior) surface is the most effective and in combination with low reflectance glass are the most visible and effective.
4. New Site Plan Control applications received after January 1, 2022 where visual markers being provided they must be on the first (exterior) surface of the glass.
5. Fly-through conditions are created when architectural elements provide a clear line of sight to birds to sky or vegetation on the other side or where clear glass corners meet. Glass corners must be treated for 5m extending on each side away from the corner. Parallel glass is glass installed at any height that is parallel at a distance of 5m or less such as a clear glass corridor or bridge.

For more information see:  Best Practices for Bird Friendly Glass.

Light Pollution

EC 5.1 Exterior lighting

All exterior fixtures must be Dark Sky compliant. ^1,2,3

EC 5.2 Exterior Lighting

Any rooftop and facade architectural illumination must be directed downward and turned off between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.⁴

EC 5.3 Lighting Controls

Non-residential: Install an automatic device that reduces the outward spillage of internal light by:

a) Reducing the input power to lighting fixtures by at least 50% between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. year-round; OR

b) Shielding all openings in the envelope with a direct line of sight to any non-emergency light fixtures between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. year-round.⁵

Specifications & Resources

1. Dark Sky Compliant fixture must have the Dark Sky Fixture Seal of Approval which provides objective, third-party certification for lighting that minimizes glare, reduces light trespass and doesn’t pollute the night sky. If a Dark Sky Fixture Seal of Approval is not available fixtures must be full-cutoff and with a with a colour temperature rating of 3000K or less.
2. All exterior light fixtures should be efficient while providing minimum illumination levels sufficient for personal safety and security. Efficient exterior lighting is defined as 60 Lumens/Watt minimum system efficiency. Safety and security lighting should minimize glare and/or light trespass.
   For more information see the Best Practices for Effective Lighting.
3. Architectural illumination including uplighting may be permitted through a heritage designation provided lighting is turned off year-round between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. by an automatic device. Excessive lighting that contributes to light pollution including flood lighting, search lights or sky canons, is not permitted.
4. Rooftop and facade architectural illumination must be turned off during migratory bird seasons: April and May; August to October. After-hours override may be provided by a manual or occupant sensing device provided that the override lasts no more than 30 minutes.
5. Openings in the building envelope, transparent or translucent, include all fenestration (windows, doors, skylights, curtain walls). Provide shielding with less than 10% transmittance overnight.