How much does gopher tortoise removal cost in Florida? On a standard quarter-acre lot in Southwest Florida, the typical total is $2,030: a $350 survey, $1,400 relocation for up to 2 tortoises, and the $280 FWC permit fee. Each additional tortoise is $400. If FWC requires off-site relocation (for example on canal lots), add $5,000 per tortoise, paid directly to the recipient site. Worked examples: relocation cost guide.

Survey Pricing

Flat rate per quarter acre. Large parcels get a quote before we start.

Standard

Gopher Tortoise Survey

$350

per quarter acre

FWC-compliant written report
GPS-mapped burrow documentation
Tortoise population estimate
Aerial map with burrow locations
Field photographs
Next-business-day delivery
Accepted by all title companies
Valid for 90 days from survey date

Book a Survey

Property Size Examples

Property Size	Survey Cost
Quarter acre (standard lot)	$350
Half acre	$700
1 acre	$1,400
2.5 acres	$3,500
5+ acres	Call for quote

Relocation Pricing

Flat rate per job based on tortoise count. No surprises after the survey. (Also called "gopher tortoise removal cost" - same service, same price.)

Base Job

1–2 Gopher Tortoises

$1,400

per relocation job

FWC-permitted capture & relocation
Permit application coordination
FWC compliance documentation
Site-cleared confirmation letter

Additional Tortoises

3+ Gopher Tortoises

+$400

per tortoise beyond 2

All base services included
Added per-tortoise after the first 2
Count confirmed by survey report
No additional permitting fees

Full Service

Survey + Relocation Bundle

Call

for bundled quote

Survey + permit + relocation
One point of contact throughout
Fastest path to cleared site
Priority scheduling

Relocation Examples (standard ¼-acre lot - survey billed separately)

Tortoises Found	Relocation	+ Survey	+ Permit Fee	Total
1–2 tortoises	$1,400	$350	$280	$2,030
3 tortoises	$1,800	$350	$280	$2,430
4 tortoises	$2,200	$350	$280	$2,830
5 tortoises	$2,600	$350	$280	$3,230 (est.)

Note: The $280 FWC permit fee is a flat agency charge included above. Off-site relocation also requires $5,000 per tortoise paid directly to the recipient conservation site - not included above and not our revenue. We'll advise on all costs upfront.

Possible Extra Costs

We keep pricing transparent. Here's everything that can change the total, with the numbers up front:

Off-site recipient site fee: $5,000 per tortoise (only if needed)

If your property doesn't have suitable on-site habitat, tortoises must be relocated off-site to a permitted conservation area. The recipient site charges $5,000 per tortoise captured, paid directly to the reservation - this is separate from our service fee and is not our revenue. We coordinate the recipient site and will confirm this cost before you commit.

FWC permit fee: $280 (added to every relocation)

$280, a flat FWC agency charge added on top of the relocation fee on every job. We file the application for you - you pay only the agency fee, no markup.

Travel outside Charlotte, Sarasota & Lee: small fee

We serve Charlotte, Sarasota, and Lee counties with no travel surcharge. Areas outside this range may carry a small travel fee. Call us if you're not sure - we cover a wide area.

Pricing Applies Across Our Full Service Area

Same flat-rate pricing everywhere we work, including:

Port Charlotte · Punta Gorda · Englewood · North Port · Venice · Sarasota · Fort Myers · Cape Coral · Lehigh Acres · Bonita Springs · Estero · Arcadia

See all service areas →

Gopher Tortoise Removal & Relocation Cost