Excavation in Fort Myers, FL
Land clearing, tree and stump removal, fill dirt and grading, pool digs and trenching for homes, empty lots and acreage across Lee County.
- Empty lots, home sites and acreage
- Clearing, fill, pools and utility lines
- Free quote requests
Excavation and land clearing around Fort Myers
Most jobs here start with what's growing on the lot and end with where the water goes. Here's the work, and the Florida and Lee County rules that come with it.
Land clearing
Wooded lots and acreage, with Lee County, wetland and burn rules.
Tree, stump and debris removal
Single trees, stumps, brush piles and haul-off.
Fill dirt and grading
Pads, low spots and drainage on sandy Florida ground.
Pool excavation
The dig, the dirt, and Florida's pool safety law.
Trenching
Water, sewer, drain and power lines, and who's licensed for them.
Tree removal rules
When a risky tree on a home lot needs no local permit.
A river city that keeps growing
Fort Myers grew up around a fort built in 1850 on the Caloosahatchee River and named for Abraham Charles Myers. Manuel A. Gonzalez founded the civilian community in 1866, and the town incorporated on August 12, 1885 with 349 residents. Thomas Edison and Henry Ford both had winter homes here, now the Edison and Ford Winter Estates.
The Census Bureau counted 86,395 people in 2020 and estimates 101,581 in 2025. Hurricane Ian caused catastrophic damage on September 28, 2022. Growth and rebuilding both mean cleared lots, new pads, pools and utility trenches.
What people ask first
What does it cost?
Published prices for clearing, stumps, grading, pools and trenches.
Which permits apply?
City, Lee County and Florida rules, in one place.
Can that tree come down?
Florida's 163.045 rule for risky trees on home lots.
Who marks buried lines?
Sunshine 811: two full business days before digging.
The work, in a little more detail
Clearing land
Lawn Love's December 2025 guide puts clearing at $1,565 to $4,520, with most landowners paying about $2,900, and heavily forested land at $3,300 to $5,600 an acre. In unincorporated Lee County, removing native vegetation and trees needs a county permit, and wetland clearing typically needs a state Environmental Resource Permit. Land clearing.
Trees, stumps and brush
The same guide lists tree removal at $385 to $1,070 per tree and stumps at $130 to $350 each. Burning land clearing debris needs a Florida Forest Service authorization. Tree, stump and debris removal.
Fill and grading
Angi's Tampa guide, the nearest published Florida metro figures, lists grading and leveling at $405 to $6,560 and notes the area's mix of sandy soil and dense clay. Disturbing an acre or more brings in the state's stormwater permit. Fill dirt and grading.
Pools and trenches
Angi averages a pool dig at $2,500 nationally, and Florida law requires every new home pool to have at least one safety feature before final inspection. HomeAdvisor lists standard trenching at $5 to $12 a foot. Pool excavation and trenching.
Before the machine arrives
- Find out who regulates the lot.Inside Fort Myers, Cape Coral or Estero, ask the city or village. In unincorporated Lee County, read the county's vegetation removal guide.
- Check for wetlands.Clearing, filling or digging in wetlands typically needs an Environmental Resource Permit before Lee County issues its permits.
- Count the acres.An acre or more of disturbed ground that drains to surface water or a storm sewer needs the state's stormwater permit.
- Plan the debris.Haul it, chip it or burn it with a Florida Forest Service authorization.
- Call Sunshine 811.At least two full business days before anyone digs.
Fort Myers in numbers
Fort Myers is the county seat of Lee County. Nearby communities include Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres and Estero. See all areas.
Own property in Arizona as well? A separate referral site covers excavation in Scottsdale.
Questions and answers
Is Fort Myers Excavation a contractor?
No. Fort Myers Excavation is an independent referral service. We pass your request to a local excavation or land clearing contractor, who quotes and does the work. We can't guarantee any contractor's work.
Is there a fee to request a quote?
No. It's free for property owners; contractors pay us for referrals.
Do I need a permit to clear my lot in Lee County?
It depends on where the lot is. Lee County's guide covers unincorporated areas such as Lehigh Acres: removing native vegetation and trees needs a permit, and single-family clearing of 5 acres or more needs one. Inside Fort Myers, Cape Coral or Estero, ask the city or village. See permits.
Can I remove a dangerous tree without a city permit?
Under Florida Statutes 163.045, if an ISA certified arborist or a Florida licensed landscape architect documents that a tree on your single-family home lot is an unacceptable risk, the local government can't require a permit, fee or replanting. See tree rules.
Can I burn the brush from clearing?
Land clearing and pile burning need a Florida Forest Service burning authorization. Yard waste that fits in an 8-foot pile needs none if setbacks are met and no local rule bans burning. See debris removal.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Fort Myers, Florida
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Fort Myers city, Florida
- Lawn Love: How much does it cost to clear land? (Sinziana Spiridon, updated December 27, 2025)
- Lee County: Vegetation Removal Permit Informational Guide (updated 6/2026)
- Lee County Environmental Sciences: Wetland permitting
- 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)
- Angi: How much does excavation cost in Tampa, FL? (updated June 16, 2026)
- Florida Department of Environmental Protection: Construction Activity (stormwater Construction Generic Permit)
- Angi: How much does pool excavation cost? (Scott Dylan Westerlund, updated October 19, 2026)
- Florida Statutes 515.27 (2025): Residential swimming pool safety feature options
- HomeAdvisor: How much does trenching cost? (updated June 19, 2026)
- Florida Statutes 556.105 (2025): Procedures (notice to Sunshine 811)
Reviewed October 20, 2026. Rules, prices and contacts change, so check the source before relying on it.
Get a quote for your project
Phone or fill in the form and a contractor who works in Lee County will get back to you. There's no charge for a quote.
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