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Land Clearing Contractors in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Find land clearing contractors serving Philadelphia for brush clearing, lot clearing, tree and stump removal, forestry mulching and full site clearing. Compare local companies, check which services each one offers, and contact them directly about your project.

Land Clearing Contractors Serving Philadelphia

11 land clearing contractors serving Philadelphia confirm on their own websites that they offer land clearing (checked October 2026). Each listing links to the page where the company describes the service, so you can check it yourself.

Land Clearing Services in Philadelphia

ServiceBest for
Brush clearingOvergrown lots, fence lines, pasture recovery
Forestry mulchingBrush and small trees, with no debris to haul
Lot clearingMaking a residential lot buildable
Full clearing and grubbingRemoving trees, stumps and roots for construction
Selective clearingKeeping chosen trees on a wooded lot

How Much Do Land Clearing Contractors Charge in Philadelphia?

Angi reports an average land clearing project cost of $3,780 in 2026, and HomeGuide estimates $1,200 to $8,000 per acre. These measure different things: one is per project, the other per acre. Stump removal, debris haul-off and grading are often priced separately. No published source gives a reliable Philadelphia-specific average, so use these as national planning figures and get local quotes. See land clearing cost per acre for prices by vegetation, lot size and method.

Philadelphia Permits and Local Rules

In Philadelphia, clearing (including cutting trees and grubbing roots) on a lot over 5,000 sq ft needs a zoning permit for site clearing, and 5,000 sq ft or more of earth disturbance also requires Philadelphia Water Department stormwater/E&S review before you apply.

RuleWhat it means for your projectSource
Zoning permit for site clearing or earth disturbanceL&I requires a zoning permit for site clearing on lots over 5,000 sq ft, where clearing includes cutting or removing trees, grubbing roots and removing or filling foundations (single-family, two-family and urban agriculture lots are excluded). A Landscaping/Tree Preservation plan may be required.Source
Steep Slope Protection Area and Wissahickon Watershed OverlayEarth disturbance over 1,400 sq ft on slopes over 15% in the Steep Slope Protection Area, or over 500 sq ft in the Wissahickon Watershed Overlay, needs a zoning permit, and City Planning Commission approval is required before applying. Floodplain properties may need flood protection forms or a review meeting.Source
PWD erosion and sediment control and stormwater reviewEarth disturbance (which includes clearing and grubbing) of 5,000 sq ft or more requires an ERSA application with an E&S plan to the Philadelphia Water Department; 15,000 sq ft or more also triggers post-construction stormwater management requirements, and 1 acre or more also needs a PA DEP NPDES permit. Below 5,000 sq ft, E&S controls must still be installed as needed.Source
Call 811 before diggingHomeowners and contractors must call 811 (PA One Call) at least three business days before starting any digging or excavation. The PA One Call Law, Section 180(2.1), sets the window at not less than three nor more than ten business days before excavation or demolition.Source
Construction stormwater permitUnder DEP’s Chapter 102 program, construction activities with earth disturbance of one acre or more need NPDES permit coverage (PAG-01, PAG-02 general permits or an individual permit). Other activities disturbing 5 acres or more that are not listed elsewhere need an E&S permit.Source
Burning cleared brush25 Pa. Code § 129.14: open burning is prohibited in air basins, except that clearing and grubbing wastes may be burned there only in air curtain destructors approved in writing by DEP beforehand. Outside air basins, clearing and grubbing wastes may be burned if the fire causes no visible emissions beyond the property line, malodors, nuisance, or damage; DEP may order it stopped.Source

Confirm requirements for your parcel with the city or county before work starts. See land clearing permits for a full checklist.

How to Choose a Land Clearing Contractor in Philadelphia

Walk the property with each bidder or send the same marked site plan. Ask what happens to stumps and roots, whether debris is hauled, burned or mulched, who checks tree, grading and stormwater permits, and what condition the site will be in when the crew leaves. Compare written quotes for the same scope, not headline prices.

For background before you call, read the land clearing guide, land clearing cost per acre and land clearing permits.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do land clearing contractors charge in Philadelphia?

Published national figures are the best guide: Angi reports a $3,780 average project and HomeGuide $1,200 to $8,000 per acre. No reliable Philadelphia-specific average is published, so compare written quotes for the same scope.

Do I need a permit for land clearing in Philadelphia?

Often, yes. Clearing a lot over 5,000 sq ft in Philadelphia, including cutting trees and grubbing roots, needs a zoning permit for site clearing (one- and two-family lots are excluded), and 5,000 sq ft or more of earth disturbance needs a Philadelphia Water Department ERSA with an erosion and sediment control plan first. Smaller thresholds apply on steep slopes (1,400 sq ft) and in the Wissahickon Watershed Overlay (500 sq ft), which also need City Planning Commission approval.

Does land clearing include stump removal?

Not always. Some contractors grind or pull stumps as part of the job, others price them separately, and forestry mulching usually leaves stumps at or near ground level. Make sure the written quote says what happens to stumps.

Can I burn cleared brush in Philadelphia?

25 Pa. Code § 129.14: open burning is prohibited in air basins, except that clearing and grubbing wastes may be burned there only in air curtain destructors approved in writing by DEP beforehand. Outside air basins, clearing and grubbing wastes may be burned if the fire causes no visible emissions beyond the property line, malodors, nuisance, or damage; DEP may order it stopped.

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Sources

Listings checked October 2026 against each company’s website. Prices are attributed national estimates, not Philadelphia quotes. Permit summaries are a starting point; confirm requirements for your parcel with the city or county.