Acreage Clearing in Buckingham, Alva and Lehigh Acres
Acreage clearing around Lehigh Acres, in Buckingham, Alva and the other Lee County communities nearby, runs into rules a single house lot never touches. A single-family parcel of 5 acres or more needs a Lee County vegetation removal permit, farm clearing needs a Notice of Clearing, wetlands and drainage get more attention, and county protected species surveys apply to most new development. This guide covers those rules, the agencies, methods for bigger ground, and national per-acre prices.
Where the bigger parcels are
Lee County divides itself into planning communities, and its list includes Lehigh Acres, Buckingham, Alva, Fort Myers Shores and Gateway/Airport. The county's Buckingham page places that community east of I-75, south of the Orange River and north of Lehigh Acres, and describes it as a rural community preserve under Goal 20 of the Lee Plan.
Single-family on 5 acres or more: the vegetation removal permit
For one house on a large parcel, the county's submittal requirements apply to a single-family lot "five acres or more in unincorporated Lee County." The application (May 2021) lists the fee as "$30 plus $1 per tree, not to exceed $25 per acre," doubled when clearing happened first. Apply through eConnect (aca.leegov.com); questions go to 239-533-8585 or DCDVegetation@leegov.com.
The application's own wording is "more than 5 acres," which leaves a parcel of exactly 5 acres in a gray area. Get DCD's answer for your parcel before work starts.
Farm and ranch clearing: the Notice of Clearing
Clearing agriculturally zoned land for bona fide agriculture requires a Notice of Clearing from Environmental Sciences before work begins, according to the county's Notice of Clearing page. Land already classified agricultural for property tax purposes under section 193.461(3)(b) of the Florida Statutes doesn't need one. If a rezoning is filed within three years of the notice and granted, the county's open space and reforestation requirements apply. Tax-status questions: 239-533-8585.
Wetlands, and who reviews them
Lee County's wetland permitting page says clearing, filling or excavating in wetlands typically requires an Environmental Resource Permit. Who issues it depends on the use:
| Parcel | Generally reviewed by | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Single-family | Florida DEP, South District | 2295 Victoria Ave., Suite 364, Fort Myers; 239-344-5600 |
| Multi-family, commercial, agricultural | South Florida Water Management District | Fort Myers Service Center, 2301 McGregor Blvd; 239-338-2929 or 800-248-1201 |
| Federal wetland questions | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers | Fort Myers Regulatory Office, 1520 Royal Palm Square Blvd., Suite 310; 239-334-1975 |
The county won't release building permits on a parcel with wetlands until the permit is in hand and a copy is filed. Its hydric soils page, drawn from the county soil survey, lists slough phases of Hallandale and Boca soils as hydric and flags their map units as possible wetland areas. On a large tract, it's worth checking the soil map before pricing anything.
Drainage and LA-MSID
Lehigh Acres itself drains through the Lehigh Acres Municipal Services Improvement District (LA-MSID). A 2017 Florida House analysis put its system at 311 miles of canals, 20 lakes, 22 bridges and 66 water control structures, across some 70,000 acres in Lehigh Acres and western Hendry County. Anyone who wants to connect to, cross, or place structures on District lands or drainage facilities needs a District permit.
The District's permitting policy (Aug. 2022) lists drainage permit fees from $1,500 for 2 acres or less up to $5,000 for 100 acres or more, culvert-only installations at $1,000 for up to 120 linear feet and $1,250 beyond, and double fees when work starts without a permit. Its permits page and the policy describe the single-family threshold differently, so call 239-368-0044 before you assume a parcel is in or out.
Protected species on larger ground
Lee County's protected species page says a survey "is required for most new development projects," with a management plan if protected species are found, and keeps its full species list in Appendix H of the land development code. The county has had bald eagle nest guidelines since 1986. Gopher tortoises (25-foot buffer) and burrowing owls (10 or 33 feet by season) are FWC matters on any size parcel.
Where a project needs a federal permit, such as an Army Corps wetland permit, federal species reviews can come into play as well. Ask whoever handles the permit whether that applies to your land.
Debris on a big tract
- Mulch in place. Can be the simplest answer for brush and small timber. See forestry mulching.
- Burn. More realistic on open acreage than on a house lot, because the state's setbacks for residential and farm piles run to 300 feet from other people's occupied buildings. Florida Forest Service authorization is required, and no burning during a county burn ban. See burning clearing debris.
- Haul. Trucks, loaders and a disposal site; county curbside pickup isn't built for this.
The mowing ordinance on acreage
Lee County's lot mowing ordinance has a special rule for parcels over 1 acre: only the vegetation within 150 feet of qualifying developed property counts. Agriculturally classified land is exempt. See overgrown lots.
What acreage clearing costs
| Source | Figure |
|---|---|
| HomeAdvisor (2025) | Lightly wooded acre $500 to $2,000; heavily forested acre $3,600 to $5,600 |
| Fixr (updated Jan. 31, 2025) | $500 to $5,000 per acre |
| Angi and HomeAdvisor forestry mulching guides | $400 to $1,500 per acre |
Worked through for 5 acres, HomeAdvisor's ranges come to $2,500 to $10,000 lightly wooded and $18,000 to $28,000 heavily forested. Permit fees, surveys, drainage work and wildlife permits are on top of that.
National figures, not local prices. A contractor's written quote after walking the land is what counts. More on cost.
Acreage questions
Do I need a permit to clear 10 acres for one house?
Yes, under Lee County's rules for single-family parcels of 5 acres or more on the mainland: a vegetation removal permit through Environmental Sciences.
My land is zoned agricultural. Is the rule different?
Clearing agriculturally zoned land for bona fide agriculture needs a Notice of Clearing, unless the land is already classified agricultural for property tax purposes. Ask Environmental Sciences which applies.
How do I know if part of my land is wetland?
The county's hydric soils list and soil survey are a starting point, and DEP's South District reviews single-family parcels.
Can I burn the debris?
With Florida Forest Service authorization, outside any county burn ban, and at the state's setbacks. Open acreage is where those setbacks are most often workable.
Getting help
Call or send the form with the parcel's location, acreage and what the land is for. Your request goes to one independent local contractor, who can walk it and give you a written price. The referral is free.
Got a lot in Lehigh Acres that needs clearing?
Call or send the short form. Your request goes to one independent local contractor who can walk the lot and put a price in writing. There's no charge for the referral.