Landscaping Permit Requirements in Atlanta, GA

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)

2. EPA Pesticide Compliance (if using regulated chemicals)

   Landscaping businesses using EPA-registered pesticides must follow FIFRA's general labeling/use requirements and typically need a Georgia commercial pesticide applicator license/certification from the Georgia Department of Agriculture. EPA's Worker Protection Standard is specific to agricultural worksites (farms, forests, nurseries, greenhouses) and generally does not apply to landscape/lawn-care pesticide use.

   Official government source

   Free (compliance requirement, no permit fee)·Ongoing compliance

   Free (compliance requirement, no permit fee)

   Ongoing compliance

1. Georgia Department of Agriculture — Pesticide Contractor License (if applying pesticides)

   Landscaping businesses in Georgia that apply pesticides for hire must obtain a Pesticide Contractor License from the Georgia Department of Agriculture, Pesticides Division. A Certified Pesticide Applicator must be on staff. Applies to herbicide, insecticide, and fungicide applications.

   Official government source

   $100/year (contractor license) + exam fees for certified applicator·4–8 weeks

   $100/year (contractor license) + exam fees for certified applicator

   4–8 weeks

2. Georgia Department of Revenue — Sales Tax Registration

   Landscaping and lawn care LABOR/service charges are generally NOT subject to Georgia sales tax — Georgia taxes services only in six enumerated categories, which does not include landscaping. However, if you sell tangible goods (plants, mulch, sod, fertilizer) as part of the job, those tangible items are taxable and you must register with the Georgia DOR (free, online via Georgia Tax Center) to collect and remit the 4% state rate plus local option tax (~8.9% combined in Fulton County) on those product sales.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online via Georgia Tax Center)

   Free

   Immediate (online via Georgia Tax Center)

3. Georgia Secretary of State — Business Entity Registration

   If operating as an LLC or corporation, register with the Georgia Secretary of State's Corporations Division. Sole proprietors using a trade name should file with the Clerk of the Superior Court of Fulton County.

   Official government source

   $110 total ($100 filing fee + $10 mandatory service charge)·5–7 business days (online)

   $110 total ($100 filing fee + $10 mandatory service charge)

   5–7 business days (online)

1. City of Atlanta Occupational Tax Certificate

   Required for all landscaping businesses operating within Atlanta city limits. Issued by the Atlanta Department of Finance, Office of Revenue. Renewed annually.

   Official government source

   $191 annual registration fee for tax year 2026 ($75 for tax year 2025 and prior), plus a flat $50 tax on the first $10,000 of gross receipts, plus a gross-receipts tax at the NAICS-based tax-class rate (e.g. 1.88 per $1,000 for tax class 5 in 2026), plus $25 per employee (first employee exempt)·1–3 weeks

   $191 annual registration fee for tax year 2026 ($75 for tax year 2025 and prior), plus a flat $50 tax on the first $10,000 of gross receipts, plus a gross-receipts tax at the NAICS-based tax-class rate (e.g. 1.88 per $1,000 for tax class 5 in 2026), plus $25 per employee (first employee exempt)

   1–3 weeks

2. City of Atlanta Arborist Division -- Tree Removal Permit

   The Arborist Division (part of the Office of Buildings within City Planning) protects Atlanta's tree canopy on private property. Tree removal is authorized either as part of a building permit review, or through a dedicated application to remove a dead, dying, diseased, or hazardous tree. Landscaping businesses removing trees on a client's behalf should confirm whether a building permit or standalone Arborist application applies. The specific ordinance chapter number and per-project fee could not be confirmed on official pages -- confirm current fees and citation with the Arborist Division (404-330-6874).

   Official government source

   Fees not published online for this permit type -- confirm with the Arborist Division·2–4 weeks

   Fees not published online for this permit type -- confirm with the Arborist Division

   2–4 weeks

Official Sources

• City of Atlanta — Occupational Tax Certificate
• City of Atlanta — Office of Zoning and Development (Tree Ordinance / Arborist)
• Georgia Department of Agriculture — Pesticides Division
• Georgia Department of Revenue — Georgia Tax Center

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