Landscaping Permit Requirements in Orlando, FL

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source for EIN (Employer Identification Number) (opens in a new tab)

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Florida Department of Agriculture — Pest Control Business License (if applying pesticides)

   Landscaping businesses that apply pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides for hire must be licensed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) as a Pest Control Business and must employ at least one Certified Operator.

   Official government source for Florida Department of Agriculture — Pest Control Business License (if applying pesticides) (opens in a new tab)

   $300/year pest control business license + $300 CPCO exam fee per category; Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance certification exam $150 (FDACS, ch. 482, F.S.)·4–8 weeks

   $300/year pest control business license + $300 CPCO exam fee per category; Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance certification exam $150 (FDACS, ch. 482, F.S.)

   4–8 weeks

2. Florida Department of Revenue - Sales/Use Tax (landscaping: services not taxable)

   Landscaping and lawn-care services are not subject to Florida sales tax (not an enumerated taxable service under s. 212.05(1)(i), F.S.). Landscapers generally owe sales/use tax on materials/plants they purchase and install as real-property improvements; retail sales without installation are taxable (6% + 0.5% Orange County surtax). Register with the Florida DOR only if making taxable retail sales.

   Official government source for Florida Department of Revenue - Sales/Use Tax (landscaping: services not taxable) (opens in a new tab)

   Free (registration, if needed)·Immediate (online registration)

   Free (registration, if needed)

   Immediate (online registration)

3. Florida Nursery Certificate of Registration (if buying and installing plants)

   Anyone selling or distributing nursery stock in Florida — nurserymen, stock dealers, agents, and plant brokers — must hold an annual FDACS (Division of Plant Industry) certificate of registration per outlet (s. 581.131, F.S.). FDACS states that businesses buying plants from registered nurseries for resale or professional landscaping must register as nursery stock dealers; registration includes an inspection.

   Official government source for Florida Nursery Certificate of Registration (if buying and installing plants) (opens in a new tab)

   Stock dealers: $25 or $69/year per location; nurseries: $35-$460/year based on inventory or acreage (statutory cap $460/year, s. 581.131, F.S.)·2–4 weeks

   Stock dealers: $25 or $69/year per location; nurseries: $35-$460/year based on inventory or acreage (statutory cap $460/year, s. 581.131, F.S.)

   2–4 weeks

4. Florida Irrigation Contractor License (if installing irrigation systems)

   Florida does not issue a statewide irrigation contractor license: irrigation is not a certified contractor category under s. 489.105(3), F.S., and the DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board has no irrigation license. Where irrigation work is regulated, it is through local (county/municipal) specialty registrations, whose availability has been changing under recent state preemption legislation — check the local building department. Irrigation work that ties into potable water supply may fall within the scope of a licensed plumbing contractor.

   Official government source for Florida Irrigation Contractor License (if installing irrigation systems) (opens in a new tab)

   N/A at the state level; local registration fees vary·4–8 weeks

   N/A at the state level; local registration fees vary

   4–8 weeks

5. Florida Workers' Compensation — coverage or construction-industry exemption

   Florida classifies landscape gardening (classification code 0042) as construction industry (Rule 69L-6.021, F.A.C.), where workers' compensation coverage is required with one or more employees (s. 440.02(20)(b), F.S.) — and a corporate officer or an LLC member owning at least 10% who performs the work counts as an employee (s. 440.02(11), (18)(b)). An owner-only LLC or corporation must therefore either carry a workers' compensation policy or file a construction-industry Certificate of Election to be Exempt with the Division of Workers' Compensation before starting paid work ($50, valid 2 years, max 3 officers/members per business, at least 10% ownership; s. 440.05). A sole proprietor or partner engaged in the construction industry is also counted as an employee (s. 440.02(18)(c)) and the s. 440.05 exemption is limited to corporate officers and LLC members — verify the coverage route with the Division, (850) 413-1609, if the business is not incorporated. Operating without required coverage risks a stop-work order and a penalty of 2x the evaded premium, $1,000 minimum (s. 440.107). Employees hired later need actual coverage from day one; an exemption covers only the named officer/member.

   Official government source for Florida Workers' Compensation — coverage or construction-industry exemption (opens in a new tab)

   $50 per construction-industry exemption certificate (2 years) or policy premium (varies by payroll)·File the exemption or bind coverage before starting paid work; verify current processing time with the Division of Workers' Compensation

   $50 per construction-industry exemption certificate (2 years) or policy premium (varies by payroll)

   File the exemption or bind coverage before starting paid work; verify current processing time with the Division of Workers' Compensation

1. City of Orlando Business Tax Receipt

   Landscaping businesses based within Orlando city limits need a City of Orlando Business Tax Receipt (Permitting Services, 407-246-2204), renewed annually by September 30, plus an Orange County Business Tax Receipt.

   Official government source for City of Orlando Business Tax Receipt (opens in a new tab)

   Varies by business classification; the City of Orlando does not publish a flat range — confirm with City of Orlando Permitting Services, (407) 246-2204 / businesstax@orlando.gov·1–2 weeks

   Varies by business classification; the City of Orlando does not publish a flat range — confirm with City of Orlando Permitting Services, (407) 246-2204 / businesstax@orlando.gov

   1–2 weeks

2. Orange County Tree Removal Permit

   Orange County requires a permit before removing, destroying, or relocating any protected tree (generally 6+ inches DBH). Landscaping companies must obtain permits on behalf of property owners for regulated tree removal.

   Official government source for Orange County Tree Removal Permit (opens in a new tab)

   Varies by application; confirm size thresholds and fees on the Orange County tree removal permit page or with the county arborist·2–3 weeks

   Varies by application; confirm size thresholds and fees on the Orange County tree removal permit page or with the county arborist

   2–3 weeks

Official Sources

• City of Orlando — Business Tax Receipts
• Florida Department of Agriculture — Pest Control Business License
• Florida Department of Revenue — Sales Tax
• Florida Department of Agriculture — Nurseries

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