Land clearing in Toronto and the GTA costs $1,500–$8,000 for a typical residential lot (50×120 feet). Heavily wooded properties, large acreage, or lots with stumps, brush, and debris cost more. OCM Excavation & Construction — 416-317-3090 — handles land clearing, brush removal, stump grinding, and site prep across Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Markham, Newmarket, and the rest of the GTA.
Land Clearing Cost in Toronto & GTA — 2026 Price Ranges
- Small urban lot (under 5,000 sq ft): $1,500–$4,000 — light brush, a few small trees
- Medium suburban lot (5,000–15,000 sq ft): $3,000–$8,000 — mixed brush, 5–15 trees
- Large lot or acreage (15,000+ sq ft): $5,000–$20,000+ — heavy tree coverage, stumps included
- Stump grinding (per stump): $150–$350 depending on diameter and root depth
- Brush chipping and haul-off: $500–$2,500 for a standard residential lot
- Full site clearing + grading + soil disposal: $8,000–$25,000 for new build preparation
For broader excavation and site prep costs, see our Toronto excavation cost guide.
What Does Land Clearing Include?
A full land clearing job typically covers:
- Tree removal — cutting, chipping, and hauling trees down to the stump
- Stump grinding or removal — grinding stumps flush with grade, or full root ball removal for foundation areas
- Brush and vegetation removal — clearing shrubs, undergrowth, tall grass
- Debris haul-off — loading and trucking all material off site
- Rough grading — levelling the cleared area for the next stage of work
We can stop at any point — some clients want brush cleared but stumps left for the landscaper. We give you a line-item quote so you pick what gets done.
Tree Removal Permits in Toronto & the GTA
Toronto’s Private Tree By-law (Municipal Code Chapter 813) protects trees with a trunk diameter (DBH) of 30 cm or more. You need a permit to remove a protected tree. Fines can reach $100,000 per tree for unpermitted removal.
Other GTA municipalities have similar rules:
- Richmond Hill: Trees with 20 cm+ DBH on private property require a permit in most cases
- Vaughan: 15 cm DBH threshold in most areas
- Markham: Similar to Vaughan — call the heritage and urban design department
- York Region: Conservation authority approval required near watercourses, ravines, and regulated wetlands
We don’t pull tree permits — that’s your responsibility or your arborist’s. We won’t touch a protected tree without seeing the permit in hand. Factor 2–8 weeks for permit processing when planning your timeline.
What Drives Land Clearing Cost?
- Tree count and size — 5 large oaks cost more to clear than 20 thin poplars
- Stump removal vs grinding — pulling full root balls adds cost but is required under foundation footprints
- Access — narrow gate openings mean hand tools for clearing the back yard
- Disposal — clean wood chips are cheap to dispose of; mixed debris (soil, concrete, roots) costs more
- Soil condition after clearing — if the lot needs deep ripping after clearing, add another $1,000–$3,000
Land Clearing vs. Site Preparation — What’s the Difference?
Land clearing removes what’s on the surface (trees, brush, stumps). Site preparation is the broader process that follows: stripping topsoil, establishing elevations, grading for drainage, and making the ground ready for construction. Most new build projects need both, in that order.
See our land grading and yard preparation page for details on what comes after clearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does land clearing take?
A typical residential lot (50×120 feet) takes 1–2 days with a machine crew. Heavily wooded or stumpy properties take 3–5 days. Add time for permit processing before we can start.
Can you clear land in winter in the GTA?
Yes. Winter is actually a good time for clearing — ground is frozen so machines don’t churn up the soil, and sap is down so chipped material composts better. We work year-round in Richmond Hill, Vaughan, and across York Region.
Ready to get a quote for your project?
OCM Excavation serves all of the GTA. We respond same day and provide free, no-obligation estimates.
📞 Call 416-317-3090 Request a Quote →What do you do with the trees and brush?
We chip what we can on site (reduces volume by 80%) and haul off chips and debris to approved facilities. Some municipalities allow on-site composting in rural zones — check with your municipality. We don’t leave piles on site.
Do I need soil testing after clearing?
If you’re hauling cleared topsoil off site, Ontario Regulation 406/19 may require testing. If you’re keeping the soil on site (re-spreading as loam after construction), testing is not mandatory but recommended for projects near former industrial uses or gas stations.
Can you clear just part of the lot and leave the rest?
Yes. We stake the clearing boundary to the survey, use fencing to protect any trees you want to keep, and work only in the designated zone. Tree protection hoarding is required by Toronto for any tree within 6 meters of construction activity.
Get a Free Land Clearing Quote in the GTA
Call OCM Excavation at 416-317-3090 or request a free estimate online. Give us the lot address and a rough description of what’s there — we typically provide a quote within 24 hours without a site visit for standard residential lots.
More from OCM Excavation
2026 Excavation Cost Guide · Site Prep Checklist · Richmond Hill · Vaughan · Toronto
Free estimates — call 416-317-3090 or request a quote online.