- A survey walks 100% of the work area in transects so no burrow is missed.
- Every burrow is GPS-mapped and classified active, inactive, or abandoned.
- You get an FWC-format report with map, photos, and population estimate — next business day.
- $350 per quarter acre; valid 90 days for an FWC permit application.
A gopher tortoise survey is the first step in almost every SWFL land project — and the cheapest insurance you'll buy. Here's exactly what happens, what you receive, and how to use it.
What a survey is
A gopher tortoise survey is a methodical, on-foot inspection of a property by an FWC Authorized Agent to locate, GPS-map, and classify every burrow, and to estimate the tortoise population. It produces a written report in FWC's format that's accepted for permit applications, closings, and lender/title requirements.
Why and when you need one
- Before clearing or building on any lot with potential habitat — required before an FWC permit.
- Before buying vacant land — to know the burrow count and relocation cost before closing.
- Before listing — to remove buyer objections up front.
- As a lender or title condition on undeveloped land.
How the survey is performed, step by step
- Coverage planning. We survey 100% of the development area plus 25 feet around planned disturbance. On large parcels we scope to the actual work area to keep cost proportional.
- Transect walking. The agent walks the site in overlapping parallel lines (belt transects) so no burrow is missed, even in heavy palmetto.
- Burrow documentation. Each burrow gets a GPS point, a width measurement, and a classification — active, inactive, or abandoned.
- Photography. Field photos of each documented burrow for the report and the permit file.
- Population estimate. Active and inactive burrow counts are converted to an estimated tortoise population using FWC's accepted correction factor (because one tortoise uses multiple burrows).
Active vs. inactive vs. abandoned
| Class | Signs | Treated as |
|---|---|---|
| Active | Fresh tracks, clean apron, no debris over the opening | Occupied |
| Inactive | Intact and usable, but no fresh sign | Potentially occupied |
| Abandoned | Collapsing, cratered, or heavily overgrown | Not counted toward population |
What's in your report
- GPS coordinates and classification for every burrow
- An aerial site map with burrow locations plotted
- Field photographs
- An estimated tortoise population
- A format that meets FWC requirements and is accepted by county building departments, title companies, and lenders
Cost and turnaround
Surveys are $350 per quarter acre (half acre $700, 1 acre $1,400, 2.5 acres $3,500). We schedule within 48 hours and deliver the written report the next business day after the site visit. The report is valid 90 days for an FWC permit application. Full pricing: pricing page.
What happens after the survey
Two outcomes. A clean (negative) report means no evidence of tortoises — you proceed with documentation in hand. A positive report means burrows are present; if any conflict with your 25-foot buffer, we file the FWC permit and schedule relocation. Either way you're never left guessing.