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Pressure Washing Permit Requirements in St. Louis, MO

Complete permit and license guide for starting a pressure washing in St. Louis, St. Louis City, Missouri.

Verified 2026-09-02 6 stops $150–$750 est. 1–3 weeks to obtain all required licenses and insurance
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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/corporation. Free from the IRS.

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

    FreeImmediate (online)

State of Missouri

2 stops

  1. Missouri Retail Sales License

    Required for businesses selling tangible personal property in Missouri. Register with the Missouri Department of Revenue.

    Official government source for Missouri Retail Sales License (opens in a new tab)

    Free1–2 weeks

  2. General Liability Insurance

    Pressure washing businesses in Missouri should carry general liability insurance ($1M minimum per occurrence) to cover property damage. Most commercial clients and property managers require proof of insurance before hiring. Vehicle insurance is also required if using a company vehicle.

    $500–$1,500/yearSame day (online quotes)

City of St. Louis / St. Louis City

3 stops

  1. St. Louis Business License

    All businesses operating in St. Louis City must obtain a Graduated Business License (GBL) from the License Collector's Office before conducting any commercial activity. Pressure washing companies renew annually (due before June 1); the annual fee is graduated by the number of St. Louis employees.

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

    $200 initial fee ($100 if starting January 1-May 31); annual renewal from $200 (0-2 employees) up by employee count1–3 weeks

  2. Stormwater / Wastewater Discharge Compliance

    Pressure washing businesses in St. Louis must comply with stormwater and sewer-discharge rules administered by the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD Project Clear), which holds the regional MS4 stormwater permit with St. Louis County and 58 co-permittee municipalities. Wastewater containing detergents, oils, or other pollutants cannot be discharged to storm drains; it must be contained and disposed of properly. Contact MSD Environmental Compliance about its Sewer Use Ordinance for specific requirements.

    Official government source for Stormwater / Wastewater Discharge Compliance (opens in a new tab)

    No permit fee (compliance requirement)Ongoing compliance

  3. Fictitious Name (DBA) Registration — Missouri Secretary of State

    If operating under a trade name, register a Fictitious Name with the Missouri Secretary of State before accepting jobs under that name. Missouri DBAs are filed at the state level (online at bsd.sos.mo.gov), not with St. Louis City. Registration is valid for 5 years and does not grant exclusive rights to the name.

    Official government source for Fictitious Name (DBA) Registration — Missouri Secretary of State (opens in a new tab)

    $7Same day online; a few days by mail

Terminus

Open for business — est. $150–$750 · 1–3 weeks to obtain all required licenses and insurance

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