Handyman Business Permit Requirements in Evansville, IN

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. Indiana Department of Revenue — Registered Retail Merchant Certificate

   Required for all businesses selling tangible personal property at retail in Indiana. Indiana charges a flat 7% state sales tax with no additional local sales tax. Register online via INBiz.

   Official government source

   $25 one-time registration fee·Immediate (online via INBiz)

   $25 one-time registration fee

   Immediate (online via INBiz)

2. Indiana — No Statewide General Contractor License (local registration required)

   Indiana does not issue a statewide general contractor license; contractor licensing is done by cities and counties. Indianapolis is a consolidated city-county government (UniGov), so licensing runs through the city's Department of Business and Neighborhood Services (BNS) rather than a separate Marion County office, covering general, electrical, HVAC, wrecking, and plumbing contractors. BNS states that for electrical, HVAC, and wrecking contractors "licensing is at the discretion of the local municipality. There is no state license for these contractors." Plumbing contractors are licensed by the State of Indiana and must register that license with the city. The excluded cities of Lawrence, Beech Grove, Speedway, and Southport license separately.

   Official government source

   Indianapolis BNS fee schedule effective January 5, 2026: general, electrical, HVAC, and wrecking licenses $247 for a new or renewing business entity and $377 for a new individual license ($247 individual renewal); plumbing $142 new or renewal; $63 for each authorized agent beyond the five included. Fees in other Indiana cities and counties differ.·No fixed turnaround is published. Electrical, HVAC, and wrecking applicants must first pass an exam and be approved by the relevant licensing board, then email the application, insurance certificate, and bond to [email protected] and pay the assessed fees before license cards are issued.

   Indianapolis BNS fee schedule effective January 5, 2026: general, electrical, HVAC, and wrecking licenses $247 for a new or renewing business entity and $377 for a new individual license ($247 individual renewal); plumbing $142 new or renewal; $63 for each authorized agent beyond the five included. Fees in other Indiana cities and counties differ.

   No fixed turnaround is published. Electrical, HVAC, and wrecking applicants must first pass an exam and be approved by the relevant licensing board, then email the application, insurance certificate, and bond to [email protected] and pay the assessed fees before license cards are issued.

1. No General Business License in Evansville

   Evansville does not require a general/universal business license for most business types. The City Controller's office issues licenses only for specific activities (e.g., street vending, hotels, pawnbrokers, secondhand dealers) — none apply to a typical service business. Verify zoning compliance and, if applicable, a Certificate of Occupancy with the Area Plan Commission / Building Commission before opening.

   Official government source

   Not applicable (no general license fee)·Not applicable

   Not applicable (no general license fee)

   Not applicable

2. Evansville–Vanderburgh County Building Commission — Building, Electrical, Plumbing and Mechanical Permits

   In Evansville and Vanderburgh County a permit is required for essentially all work on a structure — electrical, plumbing, HVAC, re-roofing, siding, windows, doors, drywall, tile, foundation repair, accessory buildings and any demolition of a system or part of a structure — and must be obtained before work starts. Permits may be pulled only by a contractor licensed under Evansville Municipal Code Title 5, Chapter 5.70, with surety bond, liability insurance and worker's compensation on file, so a handyman cannot self-permit licensed trade work.

   Official government source

   Per EMC 15.05.470: residential building work $0.06 per sq ft of gross floor area, $100 minimum; commercial 'B' occupancies $0.06 per gross sq ft, $50 minimum; residential re-roofing $30 per building; electrical repair/remodel $30 residential or $50 commercial; plumbing fixtures $6 each with a $30 minimum; HVAC $30 minimum residential / $60 commercial·1–3 weeks

   Per EMC 15.05.470: residential building work $0.06 per sq ft of gross floor area, $100 minimum; commercial 'B' occupancies $0.06 per gross sq ft, $50 minimum; residential re-roofing $30 per building; electrical repair/remodel $30 residential or $50 commercial; plumbing fixtures $6 each with a $30 minimum; HVAC $30 minimum residential / $60 commercial

   1–3 weeks

Official Sources

• City of Evansville Department of Metropolitan Development
• Indiana Contractor Registration (local)

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