Handyman Business Permit Requirements in Boise, ID

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. Idaho State Tax Commission — Sales Tax Permit

   Required for all businesses selling taxable goods or services in Idaho. Idaho charges a 6% state sales tax. Some cities have local option taxes. Register with the Idaho State Tax Commission online.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online via TAP)

   Free

   Immediate (online via TAP)

2. Idaho Public Works Contractors License Board — Public Works Contractor License

   Contractors bidding or performing public works projects in Idaho must be licensed by the Public Works Contractors License Board at DOPL, in a classification matching the dollar size of the work. Residential and general contractors who do not do public works still need a state Contractor Registration from DOPL — this is a statewide registration, not a city or county one, and no Idaho city issues a substitute for it.

   Official government source

   Public works licence, initial fee by classification: C $160, CC $200, B $240, A $400, AA $560, AAA $720, Unlimited $880; Construction Manager $320. Separate DOPL Contractor Registration is $120 to apply, then $60 annually or $120 biennially.·2–6 weeks, longer if financial statements need review for a higher classification.

   Public works licence, initial fee by classification: C $160, CC $200, B $240, A $400, AA $560, AAA $720, Unlimited $880; Construction Manager $320. Separate DOPL Contractor Registration is $120 to apply, then $60 annually or $120 biennially.

   2–6 weeks, longer if financial statements need review for a higher classification.

1. City of Boise — No General Business License

   Boise does not require a general/blanket business license. Businesses must instead comply with zoning, required building/health permits, and any applicable activity-specific city license (Animal, Food & Alcohol Beverage, Security Services, Vehicle Licensing). Most professional/personal-service businesses fall under none of these categories and need no city business license — verify your specific business's obligations with the City Clerk's Licensing page.

   Official government source

   N/A — no general business license exists·N/A

   N/A — no general business license exists

   N/A

2. City of Boise Building and Trade Permits (for regulated work)

   Handyman work that touches structure, electrical, plumbing, or HVAC needs a permit from Boise Planning & Development Services (or Ada County for work outside city limits). Idaho also requires a state DOPL contractor registration for construction work, and electrical and HVAC work must be done by a state-licensed contractor — a handyman may not perform licensed trade work without one.

   Official government source

   Building permits follow Boise's valuation table: $70.76 on the first $2,000 plus $12.71 per additional $1,000 up to $25,000, then $362.80 plus $9.30 per $1,000 to $50,000. Commercial trade permits add a base fee — $14 electrical, $32 plumbing, $32 mechanical — plus a percentage of the work's value. Small residential jobs are flat-rated ($55–$165 electrical, $12–$55 plumbing extras).·1–3 weeks for simple over-the-counter permits; longer if plan review is required.

   Building permits follow Boise's valuation table: $70.76 on the first $2,000 plus $12.71 per additional $1,000 up to $25,000, then $362.80 plus $9.30 per $1,000 to $50,000. Commercial trade permits add a base fee — $14 electrical, $32 plumbing, $32 mechanical — plus a percentage of the work's value. Small residential jobs are flat-rated ($55–$165 electrical, $12–$55 plumbing extras).

   1–3 weeks for simple over-the-counter permits; longer if plan review is required.

Official Sources

• City of Boise Planning and Development Services
• Idaho Contractors Board — Public Works Contractor License

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