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Landscaping Business Permit Requirements in Baltimore, MD

Complete permit and license guide for starting a landscaping business in Baltimore, Baltimore City, Maryland.

Verified 2026-08-19 5 stops $200–$700 est. 2–6 weeks to obtain all licenses
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. Key agencies and fees on this page were re-checked against official government sources on .

Federal — start here

1 stop

  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)

    FreeImmediate (online application)

State of Maryland

2 stops

  1. Maryland Comptroller — Sales Tax Registration

    Required for all businesses selling taxable goods or services in Maryland (6% state rate; Maryland has no local sales taxes). Retail product sales are taxable. Some services are also taxable — notably cleaning of a COMMERCIAL or industrial building (janitorial/commercial cleaning) under Md. Tax-General §11-101(m): commercial cleaning businesses must collect 6% on the service itself, while residential cleaning is not taxable. Sales of photographs (portrait/wedding) are taxable as tangible personal property. Registration with the Comptroller of Maryland is free.

    Official government source for Maryland Comptroller — Sales Tax Registration (opens in a new tab)

    FreeImmediate (online via bFile)

  2. Maryland Pesticide Applicator License

    If you apply pesticides or herbicides as part of landscaping services in Maryland, you must hold a Commercial Pesticide Applicator License from the state department of agriculture.

    Official government source for Maryland Pesticide Applicator License (opens in a new tab)

    $75/year commercial applicator certification (initial category; $25 each additional); the business also needs a $150/year MDA Pesticide Business License2–4 weeks

City of Baltimore / Baltimore City

2 stops

  1. Baltimore City Department of Finance — Business License

    Baltimore City does not issue a generic business license for all businesses. Maryland business licensing runs through the state court system: businesses that sell goods need a traders license from the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City (fee based on average commercial inventory, $20-$2,125/year in Baltimore City per Md. Code, Bus. Reg. 17-1807). Most pure service businesses need no traders license. Baltimore City's Department of Finance issues only specific license types (e.g., late-night commercial operations, going-out-of-business sales), and location-based businesses need a DHCD use & occupancy permit.

    Official government source for Baltimore City Department of Finance — Business License (opens in a new tab)

    Most service businesses: no general license fee. Businesses selling goods: traders license from the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, $20-$2,125/year based on average commercial inventory (Md. Code, Bus. Reg. 17-1807).1–3 weeks

  2. Baltimore City / Baltimore Contractor Registration

    No landscaping-specific Baltimore City registration verified. Landscapers performing residential home-improvement work in Maryland generally need a Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) license; contractors pulling city permits must be registered with DHCD (confirm per project).

    Official government source for Baltimore City / Baltimore Contractor Registration (opens in a new tab)

    Unverified1–3 weeks

Terminus

Open for business — est. $200–$700 · 2–6 weeks to obtain all licenses

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