Home / Land Clearing Permits and Planning
Updated 2026-10-13Land Clearing Permits and Planning
What to check before the first tree comes down.
Check before you clear
- Local land-disturbance or grading permit thresholds (they vary by county)
- Tree ordinances or protected species rules in your town or county
- Wetlands and stream buffers, which can require federal or state permits
- Burn permits and seasonal burn bans
- Erosion and sediment control plans for larger sites
- Utility locates (call 811) before any digging or stump grinding
Why it matters
Clearing a wetland or stream buffer without a permit can bring fines and restoration orders that cost far more than the clearing itself. When in doubt, call your county planning office first.
Sources
Sources: HomeGuide lists land clearing permits at $100 to $500 (HomeGuide, Forestry Mulching Cost, 2023). Call 811 info: call811.com. Rules vary by county; check with your planning office.
Prices are published US ranges from the sources listed on each page; anything we calculated ourselves is labeled as an estimate. Get at least three written, itemized local quotes. Run the estimator to build your own range.