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Cleaning Service Permit Requirements in St. Louis, MO

Complete permit and license guide for starting a cleaning service in St. Louis, St. Louis City, Missouri.

Verified 2026-08-28 5 stops $150–$500 est. 1–3 weeks to obtain all licenses and registrations
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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 Missouri

2 stops

  1. Missouri Department of Revenue — Sales Tax License

    Required for all businesses selling taxable goods in Missouri. The state rate is 4.225%; local rates vary by city and county. Register online with the Missouri Department of Revenue.

    Official government source for Missouri Department of Revenue — Sales Tax License (opens in a new tab)

    FreeImmediate (online application)

  2. Missouri Workers' Compensation Insurance

    Missouri requires workers' compensation insurance for employers with 5 or more employees; construction-industry employers must carry it with 1 or more employees. Sole proprietors and partners themselves are not counted; LLC members and corporate officers are. Businesses under the threshold may elect voluntary coverage.

    Official government source for Missouri Workers' Compensation Insurance (opens in a new tab)

    Varies (typically $500–$2,000/year depending on payroll)Immediate to 1 week

City of St. Louis / St. Louis City

2 stops

  1. City of St. Louis License Collector — Business License

    St. Louis City is an independent city (not part of St. Louis County) and requires a Graduated Business License (GBL) from the License Collector's Office before commencing business. The license must be renewed annually; renewal applications and payment are due before June 1 to avoid penalties.

    Official government source for City of St. Louis License Collector — Business License (opens in a new tab)

    $200 initial fee ($100 if starting between January 1 and May 31); annual renewal is graduated by number of St. Louis employees, from $200 (0-2 employees) up to $37,5001–3 weeks

  2. St. Louis Home Occupancy Waiver / Missouri Fictitious Name Registration

    If operating a cleaning service from your home in the City of St. Louis, you need a Home Occupancy Waiver from the Building Division Zoning Section. If using a trade name, file a Registration of Fictitious Name with the Missouri Secretary of State's Corporations Division ($7, valid five years) — Missouri DBAs are registered at the state level, not with the city.

    Official government source for St. Louis Home Occupancy Waiver / Missouri Fictitious Name Registration (opens in a new tab)

    $50 (home occupancy waiver); $7 (state fictitious name registration)1–2 weeks

Terminus

Open for business — est. $150–$500 · 1–3 weeks to obtain all licenses and registrations

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