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FWC Gopher Tortoise Permits
Explained & Handled

Which permit your project needs, how long it takes, what it costs — and how we make the whole process a single phone call.

🏛️ FWC Authorized Agent
📄 We File the Application
⏱️ Typical Review 2–6 Weeks
💲 Fees Quoted Upfront
Quick answer: If gopher tortoise burrows sit within 25 feet of your planned construction, Florida law requires an FWC relocation permit before any clearing. Most projects need the 10 or Fewer Burrows permit; larger sites need a Conservation permit. Mr. Tortoise LLC surveys the site, files the right permit, and performs the relocation — one engagement, from $1,400 plus the survey. Call 941-315-2772.

When a Permit Is Required

The gopher tortoise is a state-designated threatened species. Under Rule 68A-27, Florida Administrative Code, no one may harm a tortoise or damage its burrow — and FWC enforces a 25-foot no-disturbance buffer around every burrow entrance. The test is simple:

  • Every burrow stays 25+ feet from all work, equipment, and stockpiles → no permit needed, build around them.
  • Any burrow inside that 25-foot zone → FWC relocation permit required before clearing.

A current survey (no more than 90 days old at application) establishes exactly where every burrow is and which side of the line your project falls on.

The Three FWC Permit Types

PermitWhen It AppliesNotes
10 or Fewer BurrowsTen or fewer burrows conflict with construction — covers nearly all residential lots and small commercial padsFastest path. Tortoises relocated on-site (if the parcel has qualifying habitat: 750+ sq ft, 10+ ft wide, 25 ft from construction) or off-site to a recipient conservation site
ConservationMore than ten burrows — subdivisions, larger commercial and development sitesLarger mitigation scope; relocation typically to a permitted recipient site. We coordinate the whole package
Disturbed SiteBurrows were already damaged or cleared without authorizationThe compliance-recovery path. Engaging an authorized agent quickly materially improves the outcome

The Process, Start to Finish

  1. Survey — we walk 100% of the development area (plus 25 feet beyond planned work), GPS-map every burrow, and deliver the FWC-format report the next business day. $350 per quarter acre.
  2. Application — we prepare and submit the FWC permit with your survey data, site plan, and relocation plan. You sign; we handle the agency.
  3. Review — FWC typically approves in 2–6 weeks. We follow up so nothing sits in a queue. Your building permit review runs in parallel.
  4. Relocation — once permitted, we capture and relocate the tortoises (on-site where possible; off-site to a recipient conservation site where required), then issue your compliance documentation. You're legal to clear.

What It Costs

Survey (required first, valid 90 days)$350 / quarter acre
Relocation incl. permit application (up to 2 tortoises)$1,400
Each additional tortoise+$400
FWC permit fee (agency charge, pass-through)quoted upfront
Off-site recipient site fee — waterfront/canal lots or no on-site habitat (paid to the conservation site)$5,000 / tortoise

Full examples by lot size and tortoise count: pricing page. Deeper reading: our complete FWC permit guide.

Permit FAQs

What FWC permit do I need for gopher tortoises on my property?
Most residential and small commercial projects use the 10 or Fewer Burrows permit — for sites where ten or fewer burrows conflict with construction. Sites with more than ten burrows need a Conservation permit. If burrows were already disturbed without authorization, FWC has a Disturbed Site permit process to bring the project back into compliance. Mr. Tortoise LLC determines the right permit from the survey and files it for you.
How long does an FWC gopher tortoise permit take to get approved?
Typical FWC review is 2–6 weeks from submission. The survey (valid 90 days) must be done first. Mr. Tortoise submits promptly and follows up with FWC so the review runs in parallel with your building permit rather than after it.
How much does an FWC gopher tortoise permit cost?
FWC charges its own permit fee, which is a pass-through cost — we include the current amount in your written quote so there are no surprises. Our relocation service fee ($1,400 for up to 2 tortoises) includes preparing and submitting the permit application and all agency follow-up.
Can I apply for the FWC permit myself?
You can — FWC's system is open to property owners, and for some 10-or-fewer situations an owner who completes FWC's e-learning can even handle limited relocation. In practice, the application requires an FWC-compliant survey, burrow data, and site maps, and errors mean resubmission and lost weeks. Most owners have us handle it end-to-end for the same reason they don't self-file insurance claims.
What is the 25-foot rule for gopher tortoise burrows?
FWC treats the area within 25 feet of a burrow entrance as a no-disturbance zone. If all construction, equipment traffic, and material storage stay at least 25 feet from every burrow, you can build without a relocation permit. If anything encroaches, the burrow must be resolved under permit before work begins.
What happens if I clear land without a permit and destroy a burrow?
Stop work immediately and get an authorized agent involved. Gopher tortoises are a state-threatened species — harming a tortoise or destroying a burrow without a permit violates Rule 68A-27, F.A.C. and Florida Statute 379.231, and can bring fines and a halted project. FWC's Disturbed Site process exists to fix these situations; the sooner it starts, the better the outcome.
How long is a gopher tortoise survey valid for a permit application?
90 days. If your FWC application is submitted more than 90 days after the survey date, a new survey is required. We time the survey against your project schedule so it never expires unused.

Let Us Carry the Permit

Tell us the address. We survey, file, follow up, and relocate — you build.

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