Handyman Business Permit Requirements in Fayetteville, AR

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

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

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Arkansas Sales and Use Tax Permit — Department of Finance and Administration

   Any business selling taxable goods or taxable services in Arkansas must obtain a gross receipts (sales) tax permit before transacting business, and a separate permit is required for each business location under Ark. Code 26-52-201. The permit is issued by the Department of Finance and Administration's Sales and Use Tax Section. The state sales and use tax rate is 6.500%, with city and county rates added on top — in Little Rock, for example, the combined rate is 8.625% (6.5% state, 1% Pulaski County, 1.125% city).

   Official government source

   $50.00 sales tax permit fee, paid electronically when the registration is submitted.·Register online through the Arkansas Taxpayer Access Point at atap.arkansas.gov. Registration questions go to the Sales and Use Tax Section at 501-682-7104, Ledbetter Building, 1816 W 7th St, Room 1330, Little Rock.

   $50.00 sales tax permit fee, paid electronically when the registration is submitted.

   Register online through the Arkansas Taxpayer Access Point at atap.arkansas.gov. Registration questions go to the Sales and Use Tax Section at 501-682-7104, Ledbetter Building, 1816 W 7th St, Room 1330, Little Rock.

2. Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board - Contractor License

   Contractors in Arkansas are licensed by the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board, part of the Department of Labor and Licensing. A commercial license is required for work of $50,000 or more on any project that is not a single-family residence. On single-family homes, a Residential Builders license is required above $2,000, a Residential Remodeler license above $2,000 for structural changes or additions, and a Home Improvement license above $2,000 for specialty work such as painting, windows, or flooring. Most classes require passing a business and law test. Local permits and licenses may also apply.

   Official government source

   Home Improvement license: $50 non-refundable filing fee. Residential Builders license: $100 filing fee plus an $84 examination fee. Initial fees may be waived under the Workforce Expansion Act of 2021 for qualifying individual applicants·The Board does not publish a processing time; applications are mailed in with the filing fee after the business and law test

   Home Improvement license: $50 non-refundable filing fee. Residential Builders license: $100 filing fee plus an $84 examination fee. Initial fees may be waived under the Workforce Expansion Act of 2021 for qualifying individual applicants

   The Board does not publish a processing time; applications are mailed in with the filing fee after the business and law test

1. City of Fayetteville Business License

   Fayetteville requires a business license for every business operating inside city limits, including home-based businesses and businesses headquartered elsewhere that operate in the city. Applications and renewals are filed through the city's Civic Access portal and administered by the Business License office in Development Services.

   Official government source

   $31 new license (home-based), $98 (non-home-based/commercial), $127 (short-term rental); $10 annual renewal ($35 for short-term rentals) plus a $30 late fee if not renewed by October 31·Apply within 60 days of opening to avoid additional fees; licenses expire October 31 each year and renewals open September 1

   $31 new license (home-based), $98 (non-home-based/commercial), $127 (short-term rental); $10 annual renewal ($35 for short-term rentals) plus a $30 late fee if not renewed by October 31

   Apply within 60 days of opening to avoid additional fees; licenses expire October 31 each year and renewals open September 1

2. Fayetteville Building Permit (for regulated work)

   Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and structural work in Fayetteville requires permits from the City of Fayetteville Building Safety Division; Washington County has no permitting authority inside city limits. Handymen must not perform work that requires a state contractor or trade license.

   Official government source

   Valuation-based with a $55 minimum: commercial building $6.32 and residential $4.59 per $1,000 of valuation; electrical and gas $2.03, mechanical $3.31, plumbing $3.04 per $1,000; plan review is 50% of the permit fee·Permits are issued after plan review; the city does not publish a fixed review time

   Valuation-based with a $55 minimum: commercial building $6.32 and residential $4.59 per $1,000 of valuation; electrical and gas $2.03, mechanical $3.31, plumbing $3.04 per $1,000; plan review is 50% of the permit fee

   Permits are issued after plan review; the city does not publish a fixed review time

Official Sources

• City of Fayetteville Business Licensing Office
• Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board — Contractor License

Related Guides