Understanding Land Clearing Costs Per Acre in Miami-Dade County
This comprehensive guide provides accurate 2025 pricing information for land clearing per acre in Miami-Dade County. Whether you need basic vegetation removal in Miami or complete clearing with stump removal and debris hauling in Miami Beach, understanding these costs helps you budget effectively.
Land clearing costs in Miami-Dade County are influenced by several factors including vegetation type, tree density, protected species requirements (especially mangroves in coastal areas), DERM permit requirements, and regional variations between urban areas like Downtown Miami and coastal areas like Miami Beach and Key Biscayne.
Average Land Clearing Costs Per Acre in Miami
Land clearing costs in Miami-Dade County typically range from $1,800 to $16,000+ per acre depending on vegetation density and clearing requirements. Coastal areas like Miami Beach and Key Biscayne often have higher costs due to mangrove protection and environmental compliance.
Here's a breakdown of average costs by clearing type:
Basic Vegetation Clearing Costs in Miami
Basic clearing removes small vegetation, brush, and undergrowth without major tree removal. Costs average $1,800 to $4,000 per acre in Miami-Dade County.
This includes:
- Removal of small trees and brush
- Clearing of undergrowth
- Basic debris removal
- No stump removal
Basic clearing is suitable for agricultural land preparation or properties with minimal tree coverage. DERM permits may still be required depending on project scope.
Complete Land Clearing Costs in Miami
Complete clearing removes all vegetation including trees, stumps, and roots. Costs average $3,500 to $9,000 per acre for typical properties in Miami-Dade County.
Complete clearing includes:
- Vegetation and tree clearing
- Stump removal and grubbing
- Debris hauling and site cleanup
- Rough grading after clearing
For properties with dense tree coverage (50+ trees per acre), costs can reach $12,000 to $16,000+ per acre. Coastal properties in Miami Beach and Key Biscayne with mangrove protection requirements face the highest costs.
Selective Tree Clearing Costs in Miami
Selective clearing removes specific trees while preserving others. Costs average $2,500 to $6,000 per acre depending on tree density and removal requirements in Miami-Dade County.
Selective clearing is often required for:
- Protected tree preservation (Miami-Dade has strict tree protection ordinances)
- Landscaping requirements
- DERM environmental compliance
- Property development with tree retention (common in Coral Gables, Aventura)
Selective clearing requires more careful planning and execution, adding to costs compared to complete clearing. DERM permits are typically required for selective clearing.
Factors Affecting Land Clearing Costs in Miami-Dade
Several factors significantly impact land clearing costs in Miami-Dade County:
Vegetation Density and Tree Coverage in Miami
Tree and vegetation density is the biggest cost factor:
- Light coverage (10-20 trees/acre): $1,800 to $3,500 per acre
- Moderate coverage (20-40 trees/acre): $3,500 to $7,000 per acre
- Heavy coverage (40-60 trees/acre): $7,000 to $12,000 per acre
- Very heavy coverage (60+ trees/acre): $12,000 to $16,000+ per acre
Large trees (24+ inch diameter) cost significantly more to remove than smaller trees. Native trees and protected species in Miami-Dade County require additional permits and handling.
Tree Types and Removal Difficulty in Miami
Different tree types have different removal costs in Miami-Dade County:
- Pine trees: Easiest to remove, lowest cost
- Hardwood trees: Moderate difficulty, moderate cost
- Palm trees: Require specialized techniques, higher cost (common in Miami Beach, Key Biscayne)
- Protected species (mangroves, native trees): Require DERM permits and special handling, highest cost - especially in coastal areas like Miami Beach and Key Biscayne
Coastal areas like Miami Beach and Key Biscayne have strict mangrove protection requirements, significantly increasing costs. DERM permits are required for mangrove removal.
Stump Removal and Grubbing Costs in Miami
- Stump grinding: $120 to $350 per stump
- Complete grubbing: $600 to $2,500 per acre
- Root removal: $1,200 to $3,500 per acre for complete root systems
Stump removal is essential for construction sites to prevent settling and foundation problems. High water tables in Miami-Dade County may require additional dewatering during grubbing operations.
Debris Hauling and Disposal Costs in Miami
- Local disposal: $600 to $1,200 per load
- Remote disposal: $1,200 to $2,500+ per load
- Special waste: $2,000 to $3,500+ per load for contaminated materials or protected species
Properties with heavy vegetation may require 5-10+ loads, significantly adding to total costs. Urban areas like Downtown Miami may have limited access, adding to disposal costs.
Miami-Dade County Specific Factors
Several Miami-Dade County specific factors affect land clearing costs:
DERM Permit Requirements
Coastal properties in Miami Beach, Key Biscayne, and Aventura face additional mangrove protection requirements that significantly increase costs. DERM also requires environmental assessments for many clearing projects.
Mangrove Protection Requirements
Miami-Dade County has strict mangrove protection requirements, especially in coastal areas like Miami Beach and Key Biscayne. Mangrove removal requires:
- DERM permits ($1,000 to $5,000+ per permit)
- Environmental assessments ($2,000 to $10,000+)
- Specialized removal techniques
- Replacement or mitigation requirements
Mangrove protection requirements can add $3,000 to $15,000+ per acre to clearing costs in coastal areas.
Tree Protection Ordinances
Miami-Dade County has strict tree protection ordinances requiring:
- Tree surveys before removal
- Justification for tree removal
- Replacement plans for removed trees
- Protected species assessments
Tree protection compliance adds $500 to $3,000+ per acre to clearing costs. Native trees have additional protection requirements.
Regional Cost Variations in Miami-Dade County
Land clearing costs vary across Miami-Dade County:
Coastal Areas (Miami Beach, Key Biscayne)
Coastal areas typically have the highest clearing costs due to:
- Mangrove protection requirements (strictest in Florida)
- Environmental compliance (DERM)
- Limited access for equipment
- Protected species requirements
Coastal clearing costs average $5,000 to $18,000+ per acre, with mangrove removal projects costing $8,000 to $20,000+ per acre.
Urban Areas (Downtown Miami, Brickell)
Urban areas face additional challenges:
- Limited access for equipment
- Traffic and scheduling restrictions
- Higher disposal costs
- Tree protection ordinances
Urban clearing costs average $4,000 to $12,000 per acre for typical properties.
Suburban Areas (Coral Gables, Aventura, Doral)
Suburban areas typically have moderate clearing costs:
- Better access for equipment
- Moderate environmental requirements
- Standard disposal options
Suburban clearing costs average $3,000 to $8,000 per acre for typical properties.
Additional Land Clearing Services and Costs in Miami
Additional services may be required depending on your project in Miami-Dade County:
- Tree removal permits (DERM): $100 to $500 per permit, $1,000 to $10,000+ for complex projects
- Protected species surveys: $2,000 to $10,000+ (required for many projects)
- Environmental assessments (DERM): $2,000 to $12,000+
- Rough grading after clearing: $1,200 to $3,500 per acre
- Site access preparation: $2,500 to $12,000+
- Demolition coordination: $6,000 to $30,000+ if structures need removal
Getting an Accurate Land Clearing Quote in Miami
To get the most accurate quote for land clearing in Miami-Dade County, provide contractors with:
- Property size in acres
- Property address (to determine DERM requirements and coastal/urban/suburban classification)
- Type and density of vegetation
- Tree count and sizes
- Stump removal requirements
- Debris disposal location
- Access conditions
- Protected species concerns (especially mangroves in coastal areas)
- DERM permit status
- Timeline and scheduling needs
Conclusion
Land clearing costs in Miami-Dade County vary significantly based on vegetation density, tree types, regional factors, DERM requirements, and additional services required. Understanding these costs helps you budget effectively for your clearing project in Miami, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, or throughout the county.
Proper land clearing is essential for successful construction and development projects in Miami-Dade County. Working with experienced contractors who understand local regulations, DERM requirements, and environmental compliance ensures your clearing project proceeds smoothly and complies with all regulations.
For accurate pricing on your specific land clearing project in Miami-Dade County, contact South Florida Site Work. We coordinate licensed contractors across Miami, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Aventura, Doral, and throughout Miami-Dade County to deliver quality clearing services at competitive prices.