What it really costs to clear a lot in Palm Beach County — the honest ranges, the factors that move the price, the local permit rules people forget, and how to keep the bill down. Written by the crew that runs the Bobcat.
Across Florida, clearing an acre of raw land generally runs anywhere from about $1,500 to $15,000 per acre. That is an enormous spread, and it is a fair one — a mostly-grass lot with a few scattered pines is a completely different job from a dense acre choked with mature oaks and deep saw palmetto. In practice, a light residential lot in the western communities often lands toward the lower end, while heavily wooded or wet ground with big stumps and haul-off climbs toward the top.
These are general industry ranges, not a quote. The only way to know your number is to have someone walk the lot. At Bell Land Services our Bobcat T740 with a 60" grapple runs $385 per day with an operator, and quotes are always free — for smaller lots, a day or two of machine time is often all it takes. Call (561) 779-3213 and we'll give you a straight answer.
Two lots the same size can quote thousands apart. Here's what a good estimator is really looking at when they walk your property:
This is the part most homeowners underestimate. In Palm Beach County, clearing vegetation — especially removing trees or working near water — often requires review or a permit before a machine ever touches the ground. Rules differ between unincorporated county land and each municipality (Loxahatchee, The Acreage, Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, Jupiter, and West Palm Beach can each treat this differently).
A few things worth knowing before you start:
This is general guidance, not legal or permitting advice — always confirm the current requirements with Palm Beach County or your city before clearing. We're happy to point you in the right direction as part of your quote.
Want the whole permitting picture in one place? Our Palm Beach County land clearing permits & regulations guide covers which desk handles what (ERM vs. Zoning), the acreage thresholds, invasive-exotic rules, wetlands and ITID easements, gopher tortoises and nesting season, 811, debris burning, the agricultural exemption, and a nine-step pre-clearing checklist with the phone numbers to call.
South Florida runs on two seasons, not four, and they matter more to a land clearing job than almost anything else in the bid. Rainy season runs roughly June through October — heavy afternoon thunderstorms most days and a high water table across the county. Dry season runs roughly November through May, when rainfall drops off and the ground has real time to firm back up.
That split matters most in the low-lying western communities — Loxahatchee, The Acreage, and similar areas — where ground sits wet to begin with. During rainy season, saturated ground can force a switch from standard wheeled equipment to tracked machines, which move slower across a lot and add cost even before a single tree comes down. Wet ground also slows haul-off: a loaded truck that would cross a firm yard in dry season can rut and get stuck in the same spot after a summer soak, and a rutted yard is its own repair bill.
Dry season, by contrast, is when firmer ground lets a crew move faster — easier haul-off access, fewer weather-delay days, and equipment that isn't fighting the ground on top of the vegetation. That's also exactly why it's the busiest booking window in the county: everyone wants their lot cleared before the rains come back, so calendars fill up fast. If you know you'll need clearing done, get on the schedule early rather than waiting for the week you need it.
If burning debris on site is part of the plan rather than hauling it off, know that Florida's agricultural and open-burning rules carry their own permit and weather restrictions, and drought-index-driven burn bans are common during the drier months — confirm the current rules with Palm Beach County or the Florida Forest Service before you plan around a burn rather than a haul-off.
Our own rate doesn't change with the season — the Bobcat T740 with 60" grapple and operator is still $385 per day whether we're on tracks in July or moving fast in February. What changes is how many days the job takes and how far ahead you need to book. If you're planning a spring or summer build, the practical move is to schedule the clearing for the preceding dry season, so weather-driven delays aren't stacking on top of your permit and inspection timeline.
As a general range, clearing an acre in Florida runs roughly $1,500 to $15,000, depending mostly on vegetation density and stump removal. Light grass and brush sit near the low end; dense trees with stumps and haul-off sit near the top. The only accurate number comes from a free on-site quote — call (561) 779-3213.
Our Bobcat T740 with a 60" grapple is $385 per day, and that rate includes an experienced operator. Many residential lots take just a day or two. Every quote is free, so you'll know the cost before we start.
Vegetation type is usually the reason. Mature oaks, dense saw palmetto with deep roots, big stumps, wet ground, and tight access all add machine hours and disposal cost. A grassy lot next door with easy access is simply a smaller job.
Not always — it depends on the job. Cutting trees to ground level is one scope; pulling stumps and roots so the ground is build-ready (grubbing) is more involved and can add roughly $500 to $3,000 per acre. Tell us your end goal and we'll quote the right scope.
Often, yes — especially for tree removal or work near wetlands. Requirements vary between unincorporated county land and each city. Permits are usually modest, but clearing protected trees or wetlands without approval can bring heavy fines. Always confirm with the county or your municipality first; we can help point you in the right direction.
Clear only the area you actually need, mulch brush on site when the lot and rules allow (avoiding haul-off fees), bundle clearing with any grading you'll need anyway, and schedule during the drier winter and spring months when the ground is firmer.
Clearing removes the vegetation you can see — brush, saplings, and trees. Grubbing goes further, pulling out stumps, roots, and buried material so the ground is level and ready to build. Grubbing costs more but is often necessary before construction.
A light residential lot can often be cleared in a day or two with a Bobcat T740 and grapple. Heavily wooded acreage, large stumps, or extensive haul-off take longer. We'll give you a realistic timeline with your free quote.
All of Palm Beach County — Loxahatchee, The Acreage, Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, Jupiter, and greater West Palm Beach, plus surrounding communities.
Yes, but it can take longer. South Florida's rainy season runs roughly June through October, and saturated ground in low-lying areas like Loxahatchee and The Acreage can require tracked equipment instead of wheeled machines, plus slower haul-off. The work still gets done — it just moves at a different pace than dry season.
It can. Wet, saturated ground sometimes requires tracked machines in place of standard wheeled equipment and slows down haul-off trucks that would otherwise rut a soft yard, both of which add time and cost compared to the same job on firm dry-season ground.
Ideally during the preceding dry season, roughly November through May, so weather-driven delays don't stack on top of your permit and inspection timeline. Dry season is also the busiest booking window in the county, so lining up your clearing early matters.
If burning debris on site is part of your plan, Florida agricultural and open-burning rules carry their own permit and weather restrictions, and drought-index-driven burn bans are common in dry season. Confirm current rules with Palm Beach County or the Florida Forest Service before planning around a burn rather than haul-off.
As early as you can. Dry season (roughly November–May) is when demand is highest across Palm Beach County because everyone wants firmer ground and fewer weather delays, so calendars fill up. Call ahead rather than waiting for the week you need the work done.