Clearing around Clermont can mean a wooded lot in town, an old grove gone to brush, or acreage toward Groveland. The rules depend on whether the land is in a city or in unincorporated Lake County.
Lake County's exemptions
Lake County's tree removal exemption form, revised December 2019, lists these among the exemptions from the county's tree removal permit (Sec. 9.02.04):
- Exemption A: a single-family lot of 2 acres or less with a dwelling, removing non-required trees up to a combined 30 inches of caliper of protected trees in any three-year period.
- Exemption C: trees on nonresidential property that endanger property or public safety, including heritage and specimen trees, with photo documentation; if removed without prior authorization, documentation is due within 15 days.
- Exemption D: trees on residential property that are a danger to people or property, if the owner complies with Florida Statutes 163.045.
- Exemption E: land with agricultural classification under F.S. 193.461.
The form is from 2019, so confirm the current rules with Lake County's Office of Planning & Zoning. Inside Clermont, ask the city. See tree rules.
Burning and stormwater
- Land clearing and pile burns need a Florida Forest Service burning authorization. Yard waste is different: a pile no wider than 8 feet can burn without one when setbacks are met and no local ban applies, lit after 9 a.m. Eastern and out an hour before sunset.
- Disturbing 1 acre or more, with runoff reaching surface waters or a storm sewer, needs Florida DEP's Construction Generic Permit.
Prices
| Item | Lawn Love, Dec 2025 |
|---|---|
| Most jobs | $1,565 to $4,520 |
| Lightly forested | $580 to $2,100 per acre |
| Heavily forested | $3,300 to $5,600 per acre |
| Brush removal | $330 to $630 per acre |
| Forestry mulching | about $450 per acre |
| Stump removal | $130 to $350 per stump |
Sources
- Lake County Office of Planning & Zoning: Tree Removal Permit Exemption form (revised 2019/12)
- Florida Statutes 163.045 (2024): Tree pruning, trimming, or removal on residential property
- Florida Forest Service: Forest Fire Laws & Open Burning Regulations (DACS-P 00149, revised 5/2015)
- Florida Department of Environmental Protection: Construction Activity (stormwater Construction Generic Permit)
- Lawn Love: How much does it cost to clear land? (Sinziana Spiridon, updated December 27, 2025)
Reviewed October 20, 2026. Rules, prices and contacts change, so check the source before relying on it.
Questions and answers
How many trees can I remove from my Lake County lot without a permit?
Lake County's Exemption A, on its 2019 form, covers single-family lots of 2 acres or less with a house: non-required protected trees up to a combined 30 inches of caliper in any three-year period. Confirm with the county.
Get your clearing quoted
Call, or fill out the form, and a contractor who digs in south Lake County will contact you. Quotes are free.
Got voicemail? Leave your name, number, the property address and what you need dug.