Land clearing around Sanford can be a single overgrown lot in an older neighborhood or acreage on the edge of town. Either way, the first question is whether the land is in the city or in unincorporated Seminole County.
Seminole County's arbor rules
- New homes: removing trees for a new single-family home uses its own application; trees removed for commercial or residential development are reviewed with the site or subdivision plan.
- What the plan shows: every tree over 6 inches in diameter (measured 4.5 feet up), marked retained, removed, relocated or replaced, plus grading changes, easements and any wetland line and upland buffer.
- Exempt: developed single-family lots of 3 acres or less with a house already on them (no wetland impacts), bona fide agriculture, and exotic species listed as pest plants.
Inside Sanford, ask the city; we didn't find its clearing rules published in a form we could cite. See tree permits.
Stormwater and burning
- Clearing and grading that disturb 1 acre or more and drain to surface waters or a storm sewer need Florida DEP's Construction Generic Permit, filed at least 2 calendar days before work.
- Land clearing debris needs a Florida Forest Service burning authorization. Small yard waste piles, 8 feet across at most, are exempt from that when setbacks are kept and no local ban is in place.
Costs
| Clearing | Lawn Love, Dec 2025 |
|---|---|
| Most jobs | $1,565 to $4,520 |
| Lightly forested | $580 to $2,100 per acre |
| Heavily forested | $3,300 to $5,600 per acre |
| Brush removal | $330 to $630 per acre |
| Tree removal | $385 to $1,070 per tree |
| Stump removal | $130 to $350 per stump |
Angi's Orlando guide adds that a heavily wooded lot has to be cleared before digging begins, so the two get priced together.
Sources
- Seminole County: Arbor Permit (unincorporated Seminole County)
- Florida Department of Environmental Protection: Construction Activity (stormwater Construction Generic Permit)
- Florida Forest Service: Forest Fire Laws & Open Burning Regulations (DACS-P 00149, revised 5/2015)
- Lawn Love: How much does it cost to clear land? (Sinziana Spiridon, updated December 27, 2025)
- Angi: How much does excavation cost in Orlando, FL? (updated June 17, 2026)
Reviewed October 20, 2026. Rules, prices and contacts change, so check the source before relying on it.
Questions and answers
What trees show up on a Seminole County site plan?
Every tree over 6 inches in diameter, measured 4.5 feet above the ground, marked as retained, removed, relocated or replaced.
Get your clearing quoted
Send the form or call, and a contractor serving Seminole County will be in touch. You won't pay for the quote.
When voicemail answers, include your name, phone number, the address and a short description of the work.