Handyman Business Permit Requirements in New Orleans, LA

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. Louisiana Department of Revenue — Sales Tax Registration

   Required for all businesses selling taxable goods or services in Louisiana. The Louisiana state sales tax rate is 5%. Sellers must apply for a sales tax certificate with the Louisiana Department of Revenue. Louisiana also has parish- and municipal-level sales taxes collected separately by local collectors, so the combined rate varies by parish and you must register with each applicable local collector in addition to the state.

   Official government source

   No registration fee is published by the Louisiana Department of Revenue.·Not published by the Louisiana Department of Revenue; the '1-5 business days' figure has no official source.

   No registration fee is published by the Louisiana Department of Revenue.

   Not published by the Louisiana Department of Revenue; the '1-5 business days' figure has no official source.

2. Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors — Contractor License

   Commercial projects valued at $50,000 or more must be bid or performed by a contractor licensed by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors; the threshold drops to $10,000 for electrical, mechanical and plumbing work and to $1 for asbestos, hazardous waste, lead-based paint and underground storage tank work. Residential construction or home improvement of $50,000 or more (or any structural work) requires a Residential Building Contractor license; home improvement work over $7,500 but not more than $50,000 requires a Home Improvement registration. Applications require a financial statement showing at least $50,000 net worth, the Business and Law course, and a trade exam where applicable; Home Improvement registrants must show $100,000 general liability coverage and workers' compensation.

   Official government source

   LSLBC does not publish its application/license fees on its public site; confirm the current fee for your classification with the board (600 North Street, Baton Rouge; 225-765-2301) — the '$200–$500 initial' figure is unverified.·Not published; the board acts on applications at scheduled meetings, so timing depends on the meeting calendar — confirm with LSLBC.

   LSLBC does not publish its application/license fees on its public site; confirm the current fee for your classification with the board (600 North Street, Baton Rouge; 225-765-2301) — the '$200–$500 initial' figure is unverified.

   Not published; the board acts on applications at scheduled meetings, so timing depends on the meeting calendar — confirm with LSLBC.

1. City of New Orleans Bureau of Revenue / Department of Safety and Permits — Business License

   New Orleans requires an Occupational License (annual business tax) and a Certificate of Occupancy for all businesses. The Bureau of Revenue (Department of Finance) handles the Occupational License tax; the Department of Safety and Permits handles occupancy and zoning, issuing a Certificate of Occupancy (No Work) for $190. The license must be renewed annually and displayed at your place of business.

   Official government source

   $50/year minimum where gross sales are under $50,000, rising through the city's Occupational License Tax Tables — Table 1 runs to $6,200/year at $5.5M+ in gross sales, well above the claimed $500 ceiling. The Certificate of Occupancy is a separate $190.·Occupational License: not published — a temporary license is generated on approval through the One Stop App and the Amended Return Form is due within the first 40 days of operation. Certificate of Occupancy: same day in some situations, 2-3 days if an inspection is required.

   $50/year minimum where gross sales are under $50,000, rising through the city's Occupational License Tax Tables — Table 1 runs to $6,200/year at $5.5M+ in gross sales, well above the claimed $500 ceiling. The Certificate of Occupancy is a separate $190.

   Occupational License: not published — a temporary license is generated on approval through the One Stop App and the Amended Return Form is due within the first 40 days of operation. Certificate of Occupancy: same day in some situations, 2-3 days if an inspection is required.

2. Orleans Parish Building Permit (for regulated work)

   Certain handyman tasks — including electrical, plumbing, HVAC work, or structural modifications — require permits from the City of New Orleans Department of Safety and Permits, applied for through the One Stop App. Electrical permits can only be pulled by a contractor holding a Class "A" Electrical License from the City of New Orleans, and mechanical permits require a City Class A Mechanical License. Handymen should not perform licensed contractor work without the appropriate state license.

   Official government source

   Building permit: $60 base fee plus $5 per $1,000 of work, plus a plan review fee of $1 per $1,000 of work ($60 minimum); a 50% surcharge applies in historic districts. Electrical permit: $40 application fee plus $3 per new circuit plus $0.30 per service amperage. Use the city's Building Permit Fee Estimator for a project-specific figure.·Not published by the city. A permit lapses after six (6) months of inactivity. Permit Intake: (504) 658-7299.

   Building permit: $60 base fee plus $5 per $1,000 of work, plus a plan review fee of $1 per $1,000 of work ($60 minimum); a 50% surcharge applies in historic districts. Electrical permit: $40 application fee plus $3 per new circuit plus $0.30 per service amperage. Use the city's Building Permit Fee Estimator for a project-specific figure.

   Not published by the city. A permit lapses after six (6) months of inactivity. Permit Intake: (504) 658-7299.

Official Sources

• City of New Orleans Bureau of Revenue / Department of Safety and Permits
• Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors — Contractor License

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