Around Fort Myers, land clearing usually means a wooded or overgrown lot being readied for a house, a pool or a driveway, or a few acres being opened up. Which rules apply depends first on whether the land is inside a city or in unincorporated Lee County.
Unincorporated Lee County
Lee County's Vegetation Removal guide, updated June 2026, says removing native vegetation and trees needs a permit under the tree protection section of the county's Land Development Code (Chapter 14). For single-family property, clearing of 5 acres or more in unincorporated Lee County needs a permit; on Pine Island the threshold is over 2 acres, and barrier islands have their own rules. Agriculturally zoned land cleared for farming uses a Notice of Clearing instead. Applications go through the county's eConnect portal.
The guide covers unincorporated Lee County, which includes Lehigh Acres. Inside Fort Myers, Cape Coral or Estero, ask the city or village; we didn't find their clearing rules published in a form we could cite.
Wetlands
Lee County says impacts to wetlands, including clearing, filling or excavation, typically require an Environmental Resource Permit (ERP). For single-family parcels that generally means the Florida Department of Environmental Protection; for multi-family, commercial and agricultural parcels, the South Florida Water Management District. The ERP comes before the county issues development orders or building permits.
Burning the debris
The Florida Forest Service says land clearing and pile burning require a burning authorization. Smaller yard waste piles have their own rules; see debris removal.
Stormwater at 1 acre
If the work disturbs 1 acre or more, or is part of a larger common plan that will, and stormwater reaches surface waters or a storm sewer system, Florida DEP's Construction Generic Permit applies. A stormwater pollution prevention plan comes first, and the Notice of Intent and fee go in at least 2 calendar days before work starts.
What it costs
| Clearing | Lawn Love, Dec 2025 |
|---|---|
| Typical job | $1,565 to $4,520 (about $2,900 average) |
| Lightly forested | $580 to $2,100 per acre |
| Heavily forested | $3,300 to $5,600 per acre |
| Brush removal | $330 to $630 per acre |
| Forestry mulching | about $450 per acre |
| Contractor time | $120 to $265 per hour |
| Clearing permits | $200 to $250 |
Angi's Tampa guide adds that on a heavily overgrown site, clearing has to be priced in before the digging begins.
What to have ready
- The parcel's address or ID, and whether it's in a city or unincorporated Lee County.
- Acreage, and roughly how much is trees versus brush.
- Any survey, site plan or wetland information you have.
- What happens next: a house pad, a pool, a pasture, or just open ground.
Sources
- Lee County: Vegetation Removal Permit Informational Guide (updated 6/2026)
- Lee County Environmental Sciences: Wetland permitting
- Florida Forest Service: Forest Fire Laws & Open Burning Regulations (DACS-P 00149, revised 5/2015)
- Florida Department of Environmental Protection: Construction Activity (stormwater Construction Generic Permit)
- Lawn Love: How much does it cost to clear land? (Sinziana Spiridon, updated December 27, 2025)
- Angi: How much does excavation cost in Tampa, FL? (updated June 16, 2026)
Reviewed October 20, 2026. Rules, prices and contacts change, so check the source before relying on it.
Questions and answers
Do I need a permit to clear land in Lehigh Acres?
Lehigh Acres is in unincorporated Lee County. The county's guide says removing native vegetation and trees needs a permit, and single-family clearing of 5 acres or more needs one. Confirm your lot with Lee County.
How much does land clearing cost per acre?
Lawn Love's December 2025 guide lists $580 to $2,100 an acre for lightly forested land and $3,300 to $5,600 an acre for heavily forested land.
Get your land clearing quoted
Phone or fill in the form and a contractor who works in Lee County will get back to you. There's no charge for a quote.
Reached voicemail? Leave your name, number, the address and a line about the job.