What lot clearing costs in Bonita Springs
Lot clearing runs anywhere from $2,500 to $7,000, depending on how many trees are on the lot. A lot of grass and light brush sits at the low end. A lot thick with pines, pepper trees and stumps sits at the high end.
Burrows, haul-off and tight access can also move the price. Our lot clearing cost guide explains what drives it. Those are Chop's own ranges. Your exact price comes after he sees the lot, and the quote is free: call or text (239) 560-2996.
When a Bonita lot needs a separate tree permit
The city says it protects native and code-required trees until there is a valid reason to remove them. Outside a building permit, taking one out runs through the city's Tree Removal Permit: an Environmental Specialist comes to the site, looks at the problem and decides whether removal is allowed, and a final inspection closes the permit. The form lists reasons such as trees damaging utility lines, or roots lifting asphalt or concrete beyond repair, and a posted fee of $55.
If the tree is a required landscape tree, the form says a ten-foot replacement of the same species goes in at a similar, but not the same, spot. The city's storm tree sheet adds that most single-family lots require two native hardwood trees per lot, replaced like for like, at least ten feet tall with a two-inch caliper. A required tree that is already dead can come out without a permit if you document it first. Ask Environmental Sciences at (239) 444-6142 before you assume either way.
Eagles, exotics and wildlife
Bonita Springs has its own eagle protection ordinance on top of the federal Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The city's rules are in Chapter 7 of its Land Development Code, starting at Section 7-72. If there is a nest anywhere near your lot, get that answer from the city before the clearing date is set.
For pepper and other invasive exotics, the city keeps a Notice of Invasive Exotic Removal form that asks for the type of vegetation and the removal method, and it reminds owners that it does not replace any state or federal permits. Gopher tortoises are a state matter: FWC says no permit is needed if every burrow is avoided by 25 feet, and work inside that distance needs an FWC permit first. Our burrow guide explains the check we run.
Clearing with the drainage plan in mind
The city's drainage plan page says a stormwater drainage plan is required at building permit for all new homes, prepared by an engineer, architect or land surveyor, with existing and proposed elevations on at least a 50 by 50 foot grid and five feet onto the neighboring lots. Graded slopes can be no steeper than 5 to 1 unless the city approves otherwise, and adding fill to a residential lot calls for a Type 99 Limited Review Development Order. Clearing is the first step of that plan, so we leave the ground ready for the pad and fill the engineer drew, not torn up with ruts.
If the home will be on septic, Bonita's residential permitting procedures say the septic permit has to be applied for at the Health Department before the building permit goes in. The drainfield area is often the ground where a stump left behind causes the most trouble, so we grub it clean.
Debris, gate tickets and what drives the price
Cleared material leaves on trucks to approved facilities, and nothing gets pushed into a swale, a ditch or the lot next door. Bonita has a construction debris recycling ordinance for covered building projects, and the city accepts receipts and gate tickets from facilities as proof. If your builder's permit falls under it, ask us for the tickets from our loads.
Cost depends on how thick the growth is, how many trees and stumps come out, how far the trucks travel and how many loads leave the lot. A lot that is mostly pepper and vines is a different job from one with big slash pines. We price it after a look at the lot. Our lot clearing cost guide explains each factor.
