Skip to main content
Work With Us
Earthscapes Unlimited logo
Buyer & Project Manager Resource

Knowledge Center

Direct answers to the questions developers, general contractors, and property managers actually ask when buying site development, landscape, and maintenance work in Central Florida.

86 answers across 11 topics

Civil Site Development

Featured Answer

What does civil site development include on a commercial project?

Civil site development is everything required to turn raw land into a buildable site: land clearing and grubbing, erosion control, mass and fine grading, earthwork, underground utilities, stormwater infrastructure, and roadway or pavement subgrade preparation. On most Central Florida commercial projects it is the first construction phase, and its schedule drives when vertical construction can begin.

Reviewed by

Earthscapes Unlimited Civil Division

Site Development — Land Clearing & Earthwork · Florida-licensed General Contractor · Self-performing site work since 2000

A Deeper Look

The civil scope begins once permits are in place. Erosion and sediment controls go in first, followed by clearing and grubbing within the permitted limits. Mass grading then shapes the site to approximate design elevations — building pads, pond areas, and drainage patterns. Underground utilities (storm, sanitary, water) are installed once rough grades are established, and fine grading brings pavement subgrade and landscape areas to final elevation.

A single self-performing site contractor can sequence these phases without hand-offs between subs, which is usually where site schedules slip. The general contractor or owner typically holds the civil engineer's permits; the site contractor implements and maintains what those permits require during construction.

Central Florida Considerations

  • Construction that disturbs one acre or more requires coverage under the FDEP NPDES Construction Generic Permit and an implemented SWPPP before land disturbance begins.
  • Most Central Florida commercial projects also require an Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) from the applicable water management district (SJRWMD or SWFWMD) before earthwork starts.
  • Florida law (Chapter 556, F.S.) requires notifying Sunshine 811 at least two full business days before any excavation.

What Our Estimators Need

  • ·Full civil drawing set — grading, drainage, utility, and paving plans
  • ·Geotechnical report with boring logs
  • ·Boundary and topographic survey
  • ·Permit status (ERP, NPDES, clearing permits) and anticipated start date

Common Risks to Watch

  • ·Starting clearing before erosion control and permits are in place — a common source of stop-work orders and fines
  • ·Unsuitable soils (muck, organics) discovered under building pads after bid
  • ·Utility conflicts with unmarked existing lines
Related Services:Land ClearingGradingUnderground Utilities

Have a project like this?

Send us your plans — our estimating team responds within one business day.

More Questions in This Topic

What does commercial land clearing include?+
Commercial land clearing typically includes felling and chipping or removing trees, removing brush and undergrowth, grubbing (removing stumps and root systems to a specified depth below grade), and initial erosion control installation. The scope varies based on vegetative density, tree size, and whether material is chipped on-site or hauled away.
What must happen before land clearing begins?+
Before clearing, the site must have a valid clearing permit, a SWPPP (Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan) in place with erosion control installed at the perimeter, tree survey completed if required by the jurisdiction, and utility locates marked by Sunshine 811. Protected tree species must be identified and flagged for preservation or mitigation.
How are protected trees handled during clearing?+
Most Florida jurisdictions require a tree survey and protection plan before clearing. Protected trees within the clearing limits typically require a mitigation plan — replacement trees, payments into a tree fund, or preservation credits. Trees to be preserved must have protective barriers installed at their drip line before equipment enters the site.
What is grubbing?+
Grubbing is the removal of stumps, root systems, and buried organic material after trees are felled. Specifications typically require grubbing to 18–24 inches below finished grade in structural areas. Leaving stumps or root balls under fill causes settlement as material decomposes. Grubbing is distinct from clearing — clearing removes above-ground vegetation; grubbing removes the root system.
What happens to cleared trees and vegetation?+
Options include on-site chipping (mulch can be used as temporary ground cover), grinding stumps for on-site mulch, or hauling material off-site to a mulching or composting facility. On-site disposal by burning requires a burn permit and is subject to air quality restrictions — it is rarely the preferred approach on commercial sites.
Can land clearing and grading be done by the same contractor?+
Yes, and it's typically the preferred approach. A contractor who self-performs both clearing and earthwork can sequence the work efficiently — clearing a section, grubbing, and immediately beginning grading without waiting for a different sub to complete their scope. Earthscapes Unlimited self-performs clearing, grubbing, and all earthwork phases.
What equipment is used for large-scale land clearing?+
Large clearing operations use tracked forestry mulchers (for in-place grinding of vegetation), bulldozers for pushing and piling material, excavators for grubbing stumps, and tub grinders for processing pile material. Dump trucks move material off-site. Equipment selection depends on tree size, density, and whether material is processed on-site or hauled.
How long does it take to clear a commercial site?+
Production rates vary with vegetation density and tree size. Lightly wooded scrub on a 5-acre site might clear in 1–3 days. Dense mixed forest on the same acreage might take 1–2 weeks. Large sites with mature timber can take weeks. Schedule is also affected by permit timing, protected species review, and disposal logistics.

The information in this Knowledge Center is provided for general educational purposes and reflects common practices in Central Florida commercial site work. It is not legal, engineering, or permitting advice. Permit requirements, design criteria, and regulations vary by jurisdiction and change over time — always confirm project-specific requirements with your licensed civil engineer, geotechnical engineer, and the agencies having jurisdiction.

Editorial Standards

General information only. The content in this Knowledge Center is provided for general informational purposes. It is not legal, engineering, or permitting advice, and it does not replace consultation with a licensed engineer, attorney, or your local permitting authority for project-specific decisions.

Sources. Where regulations are discussed, we aim to reference primary sources — including Florida Statutes (e.g., Chapter 556, F.S. for Sunshine 811 utility locates), Florida DBPR licensing rules, and water management district permitting requirements. Requirements vary by jurisdiction and change over time; always confirm current rules with the governing agency.

Corrections. If you believe any answer here is inaccurate or out of date, contact us at 352-748-0351 or through our contact page and we will review and correct it.

Have a Project to Discuss?

Send us your plans or scope and our team will follow up within one business day.

Ready to Discuss Your Project?

One Call. All Three Divisions.

From initial clearing through final landscape and long-term maintenance — Earthscapes Unlimited coordinates your entire project under one contract, one schedule, one team.

352-748-0351