- Three permit types: 10 or Fewer Burrows, Conservation, and Disturbed Site.
- On-site relocation is free of recipient fees; off-site (canal/no-habitat) adds $5,000/tortoise.
- FWC review is typically 2–6 weeks; total survey-to-cleared is 3–7 weeks.
- A current (≤90 day) survey is required before any application.
Once a survey shows burrows that conflict with your project, an FWC permit is the legal mechanism to relocate them. This guide walks the three permit types, the process, the timeline, and the costs.
When a permit is required
A relocation permit is required whenever construction, clearing, or ground disturbance can't stay 25 feet clear of a gopher tortoise burrow. If your site plan keeps everything outside that buffer, you can build around the burrows with no permit. If not, you need one before the work begins.
The three permit types
10 or Fewer Burrows
The workhorse permit for homes and small commercial sites, used when ten or fewer burrows conflict with the project. Tortoises may be relocated on-site (if the parcel keeps at least 750 sq ft of suitable habitat, 10+ feet wide, 25 feet from construction) or off-site to a recipient conservation site.
Conservation Permit
For sites with more than ten conflicting burrows — subdivisions and larger developments. Broader in scope; relocation is typically to a permitted recipient site, and mitigation requirements scale with the project.
Disturbed Site Permit
The recovery path for sites where burrows were disturbed before getting authorization. It exists to bring a non-compliant project back into legal standing — and the sooner an authorized agent is engaged, the better the outcome.
The application process
- Survey. A current (≤90 day) FWC-format survey establishes burrow locations, counts, and classifications.
- Application. We prepare and submit the permit with the survey data, a site plan showing the conflict, and a relocation plan (on-site or recipient site).
- Review. FWC reviews — typically 2–6 weeks. We follow up so it doesn't stall.
- Relocation. On approval, authorized agents capture and relocate the tortoises; you receive compliance documentation.
On-site vs. off-site relocation
| On-site | Off-site | |
|---|---|---|
| Where the tortoise goes | Protected area of the same property | Permitted recipient conservation site |
| Required when | Parcel has qualifying habitat | No on-site habitat, or lot borders a canal/waterway |
| Extra cost | None beyond the service fee | $5,000 per tortoise to the recipient site |
The canal/waterfront rule surprises many buyers: FWC does not allow on-site relocation next to a canal or waterway, so those tortoises always go off-site.
Timeline and cost
Budget 3–7 weeks from survey to cleared site, with the FWC review being the long pole. Costs: survey $350/quarter acre; relocation $1,400 (up to 2 tortoises, application included) +$400 each additional; off-site +$5,000/tortoise; FWC permit fee quoted upfront. See pricing for worked examples.
Should you file it yourself?
You can, and FWC's system allows owner applications. But the paperwork needs a compliant survey, accurate burrow data, and a defensible relocation plan; errors mean resubmission and lost weeks. For the same reason people don't self-file complex insurance claims, most owners have an authorized agent handle it end-to-end.