Lee County holds tens of thousands of platted residential lots waiting for development — in Lehigh Acres Cape Coral North Fort Myers and throughout the Fort Myers metro area. Clearing one requires more than cutting and hauling. It requires a gopher tortoise survey before anything mechanical begins a check for regulated vegetation that may require Lee County permitting and an assessment of any SFWMD setback obligations if the lot is near a canal slough or wetland area. We handle all of it as part of the clearing scope — not as billable extras after the fact.
From a standard quarter-acre Lehigh Acres lot to a multi-lot Cape Coral canal parcel we approach every residential clearing with the same permit-first process. That means your project does not get derailed by a wildlife survey you did not know you needed or a setback issue that shows up on day two of clearing. We identify those conditions upfront and address them before the crew mobilizes.
Before clearing any Lee County residential lot we coordinate gopher tortoise burrow surveys with a licensed wildlife surveyor and arrange FWC relocation permits as required. This step is not optional on most Lee County lots with sandy upland habitat.
All trees palmettos brush and surface vegetation are removed to create a clean pad for construction. Invasive species present on the lot are identified and handled per Florida statute during the clearing process.
Stumps are ground to the depth specified by your contractor — typically 8 to 12 inches below grade for residential slab construction — with grindings worked into the surrounding soil or removed as needed.
Proudly serving Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Estero,
North Fort Myers and San Carlos Park for 9+ years.
We offer a full range of land clearing and site preparation services for Fort Myers residential and commercial properties. From initial lot clearing and invasive species removal to final grading and stump grinding our Lee County team handles every phase of site prep with local permit knowledge and Florida-specific technique expertise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Land Clearing can be complex, and we’re here to provide answers to common questions. Here are some frequently asked questions from our clients.
In most cases yes. Lee County requires a vegetation removal permit for clearing on properties with certain vegetation types and SFWMD may require an environmental resource permit if your property is near wetlands canals or waterbodies. Permit requirements depend on lot size proximity to protected areas and clearing scope. Our team identifies which permits apply before any work begins.
Brazilian pepper is the most widespread invasive on Lee County properties and requires specific handling under Florida law. Melaleuca creates significant fire hazard when unmanaged and requires licensed contractors for large-scale removal. Australian pine is common on coastal and waterfront lots and cogongrass appears on many undeveloped tracts. Each species requires a different removal approach and our crew is trained in Florida-compliant methods for all of them.
Clearing within 25 to 50 feet of wetlands canals and waterbodies in Lee County is regulated under SFWMD environmental resource permit requirements. Buffer distances depend on waterway classification and type of vegetation being removed. Violating these setbacks can result in stop-work orders and restoration requirements. We assess setback compliance before any clearing begins on water-adjacent properties.
Forestry mulching uses a single machine to grind all vegetation into a mulch layer that stays on site. Traditional clearing cuts and hauls all debris away. For Lee County sandy flatwoods soils forestry mulching often produces better results because the mulch retains moisture reduces erosion and improves drainage over time. It also causes less ground disturbance than conventional clearing which matters on lots near SFWMD-regulated wetlands.
Most residential lot clearing jobs in Fort Myers are completed in one to two days depending on lot size vegetation density and debris volume. Heavily wooded lots with mature Brazilian pepper or melaleuca canopy may take longer particularly if gopher tortoise surveys and relocation coordination are required. Large commercial or acreage projects are scoped during the site visit and scheduled accordingly.
Gopher tortoise populations are present throughout Lee County on undeveloped and semi-developed properties. Clearing without a gopher tortoise survey and relocation permit from Florida Fish and Wildlife is a serious violation with significant fines. Our team coordinates with a licensed wildlife surveyor before clearing begins to identify active and inactive burrows and obtain the required relocation authorization. This step is required on most Lee County properties with sandy upland habitat.
Almost certainly yes if the lot has undisturbed sandy upland habitat which describes most platted residential lots in Lehigh Acres and Cape Coral. Gopher tortoises are protected throughout Lee County and clearing without a Florida Fish and Wildlife permit and licensed surveyor assessment is a violation. We coordinate the wildlife survey before any clearing work begins.
Standard lot clearing in Fort Myers includes removal of all trees brush palmettos and surface vegetation plus stump grinding to grade or below and debris management by chipping hauling or mulching in place. We also assess invasive species presence and setback requirements before starting.
Lot clearing costs vary based on lot size vegetation density invasive species presence and debris disposal method. A standard quarter-acre residential lot runs less than a densely vegetated half-acre lot with mature Brazilian pepper or melaleuca. We provide accurate quotes after assessing specific site conditions.
Yes. We handle partial reclearing for lots with regrowth and final cleanup on lots where previous work was incomplete. Florida vegetation regrows aggressively and even a cleared lot can require a second pass if it has been sitting for six to twelve months without maintenance.
Ready to Clear Your Fort Myers Lot?
We pride ourselves on delivering great results and experiences for each client. Hear directly from home and business owners who’ve trusted us with their Land Clearing needs.

Called three companies before finding these guys. They were the only ones who mentioned the gopher tortoise survey upfront which saved us from a serious permit violation. Cleared our Lehigh Acres lot in a day. Highly recommend.
Marcus T.

We had Brazilian pepper and melaleuca across our entire Cape Coral lot. They came out assessed it explained the removal process and had it cleared in two days. Professional from start to finish.
Sandra L.

Post-Ian damage had left our property a mess for over a year. These folks assessed the scope quickly gave a fair quote and handled all the debris removal and stump grinding in one mobilization. Clean and efficient.
Dave R.
Ready to hear more about expert services at ?
Contact us today to receive a detailed, no-obligation quote.
We share helpful articles about to answer common questions, explain options, and give a better sense of what to expect. Whether you’re taking care of your own home or responsible for a larger property, these resources are meant to make planning and decision-making a little easier.