A buyer looks at an overgrown lot with an old house in the middle and asks for a price to clear it. That's really two jobs. Knowing which parts are demolition and which are clearing helps you get the right permits and a quote that covers everything.
Side by side
What each one covers
| Item | Demolition | Land clearing |
|---|---|---|
| What comes out | Buildings, sheds, slabs, pools, driveways, fences and other structures. | Trees, brush, invasive plants, stumps and roots, plus surface debris. |
| Permits | A demolition permit, with utility letters and sometimes asbestos paperwork. | Tree removal permits in most South Florida cities and counties, and sometimes a clearing or grading permit. |
| Equipment | Excavators, breakers and trucks. | Excavators, mulchers, stump grinders and loaders. |
| Finished result | An empty, filled and graded lot. | A lot free of vegetation and roots, graded and ready for a survey or construction. |
When a lot needs both, demolition usually comes first, then clearing and grading.
Trees
Tree rules in South Florida
Most trees need a permit
Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and many cities regulate tree removal, often with replacement or mitigation fees for trees taken out.
Some trees can't come out
Specimen trees, certain native species and mangroves have extra protection. Mangroves are regulated by the state and are a different process entirely.
Dangerous trees on homes
Florida law lets owners of a single-family home remove a tree without a local permit if a certified arborist or licensed landscape architect documents that it poses an unacceptable risk.
Invasive species
Plants like Brazilian pepper and melaleuca are invasive, and removing them is often encouraged. Check whether your city still wants it on the permit.
Below the surface
What clearing can turn up
Buried debris
Older lots sometimes have old foundations, concrete, or trash buried under the brush. Plan for it in the quote.
Roots and stumps
Stumps and big roots left in the ground rot and settle later. Grubbing them out matters if you're building.
Utilities
Old water, septic or electrical lines can run across an overgrown lot. Call 811 before digging.
Related
Keep reading
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between land clearing and demolition?
Demolition removes structures like buildings, slabs, pools and driveways. Land clearing removes vegetation like trees, brush, stumps and roots. They need different permits, and many redevelopment lots need both.
Do I need a permit to remove trees in South Florida?
Usually, yes. Most counties and cities regulate tree removal and may charge replacement or mitigation fees. An exception in Florida law lets owners of a single-family home remove a tree documented as dangerous by a certified arborist or licensed landscape architect without a local permit.
Should demolition or clearing come first?
Usually demolition first, then clearing and grading, so the equipment can work the whole lot once the structures are gone. Protected trees should be marked before either starts.
What is grubbing?
Grubbing is removing stumps, roots and buried vegetation after the trees and brush are cleared, so they don't rot and settle under a future building.
This article is general information. Tree, clearing and grading rules vary by county and city. It references section 163.045, Florida Statutes, as of 2026. Check with your local permitting office before work starts.