- Building lots, additions, pools & driveways
- Stumps ground or pulled
- Licensed & insured pros
Land clearing prices
| Job | Typical Long Island range | What drives it |
|---|---|---|
| Land clearing, typical tree & brush cover | $2,800 – $4,500 / acre | Long Island range. Depends on how much growth is on the land, the slope and access. |
| Dense woods / large hardwoods | Above the typical range | More cutting, more debris to haul and more stumps. Get an itemized quote. |
| Stumps in the cleared area | $150 – $500 each to grind | Pulling stumps and roots (for footings, driveways or a septic system) usually costs 2–4× grinding. |
| Brookhaven Tree Clearing Permit | $410 + $275 review | Residential property of 2+ acres, or commercial land without an approved site plan. $90 more if a SWPPP is required. |
Most Long Island jobs aren't whole acres. They're a wooded building lot, the back half of a yard for a pool, or a strip for a driveway or septic system. Those are priced as one project: number and size of trees, how many stumps come out, how far the debris has to travel, and whether a truck can get in. Ask for a quote that lists tree removal, stump work, debris removal and final grading separately.
What land clearing covers
- Lot clearing for new construction: clearing the building envelope, driveway and septic area, with stumps pulled where footings go.
- Partial clearing: opening up the back of a wooded lot for a pool, patio, garden or lawn, leaving the trees you want.
- Brush and understory clearing: vines, saplings and scrub oak taken out without removing the big trees.
- Overgrown property cleanup: estate, rental or just-bought homes where the yard has been let go for years.
Permits: Brookhaven, the 1-acre rule and the Pine Barrens
Town of Brookhaven Tree Clearing Permit
Brookhaven requires a Tree Clearing Permit when a residential property is 2 acres or more (contiguous lots under the same owner are added together), when a commercial property lacks an approved site plan or a subdivision lacks an approved clearing plan, or when you want to clear beyond what the Town already approved. For this rule a tree is any woody plant over 3 inches in diameter (measured 3 feet up) and at least 6 feet tall.
You apply online through the Planning Division with a survey under 10 years old, a project plan, photos and a short environmental assessment form. Fees are $410 to apply and $275 for the environmental review. If clearing has already started without approval, those fees triple, so get the permit first.
One acre or more: DEC stormwater permit
Statewide, any project that disturbs one acre of soil or more needs coverage under the DEC's Construction General Permit (GP-0-25-001, in effect through January 2030) and a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). That covers clearing with grubbing and grading, not just building. Brookhaven's clearing application asks whether you'll cross that line and charges a $90 SWPPP admin fee if you will.
Central Pine Barrens
Much of central and eastern Suffolk, in parts of Brookhaven, Riverhead and Southampton, sits in the Central Pine Barrens. There, clearing is limited by lot size, and limits can be tighter near rare species or wetlands. Check the parcel with your town before you plan a building envelope around a cleared area that may not be allowed.
Other towns and incorporated villages have their own tree rules. See the Long Island tree removal permit guide and your town page.
How a clearing job runs
- Survey and plan: mark the property lines and the exact area to clear, and flag trees you're keeping.
- Permits: town clearing permit and DEC stormwater coverage if the job needs them.
- Utility mark-out: 811 (Dig Safely New York) before any stump comes out.
- Clearing: trees felled and removed, brush chipped, stumps ground or pulled.
- Grading: holes filled and the area rough-graded so it drains, ready for the builder or for seed.
Related services
Just a few trees in the way? See tree removal. Building or pouring where a stump was? You'll want full stump and root removal rather than grinding.
Sources
Where we cover
Land & Lot Clearing quotes are available across Nassau and Suffolk. Permit rules and common trees differ by town. Start with yours:
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to clear an acre on Long Island?
Roughly $2,800–$4,500 an acre for typical tree and brush cover. Dense woods, big hardwoods, slopes, tight access and full stump removal push it higher. Most residential jobs are a fraction of an acre, priced as one project rather than by the acre.
Do I need a permit to clear my lot in Brookhaven?
If your residential property is 2 acres or more (contiguous lots you own count together), yes: Brookhaven requires a Tree Clearing Permit. Commercial land without an approved site plan, and subdivisions without an approved clearing plan, need one too. The application fee is $410 plus a $275 environmental review fee, and both triple if clearing has already started without approval.
When do I need a stormwater plan (SWPPP)?
When the work disturbs one acre of soil or more. New York State requires coverage under the DEC Construction General Permit (GP-0-25-001), which means a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan. Brookhaven's clearing application asks this question directly and adds a $90 SWPPP admin fee.
Can I clear land in the Pine Barrens?
Only within limits. Parts of Brookhaven, Riverhead and Southampton fall in the Central Pine Barrens, where clearing is capped by lot size and stricter rules can apply near protected habitat. Check the parcel with the town and the Central Pine Barrens Commission before any machine shows up.
What happens to the trees and stumps?
Usually the wood is chipped or hauled off, and stumps are either ground in place or pulled out with the roots. Grinding is cheaper; pulling is needed where you'll build, pour footings or put in a septic system. Make sure the quote says which.
How long does it take?
A wooded building lot under an acre is often a few days of machine work once permits are in hand. The permit and survey steps usually take longer than the clearing itself.
Related services
- Tree Removal: Dead, leaning, storm-damaged or just-in-the-way trees taken down safely, including crane work over houses and pools.
- Stump Grinding: Stumps ground 6–8 inches below grade so you can reseed, plant or pave. Usually $150–$500 a stump.
- Stump & Root Removal: Full extraction of the stump and main roots when you need to replant, build a patio or pour footings in the same spot.
- Emergency & Storm Tree Removal: A tree on the house, car, fence or driveway after a nor'easter or tropical storm, with help documenting it for insurance.
- Tree Trimming & Pruning: Limbs over the roof, deadwood, storm-prep thinning and clearance, done to keep the tree healthy rather than topping it.
