Handyman Business Permit Requirements in Shreveport, 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 Shreveport Revenue Division — Occupational License

   Shreveport requires an Occupational License for all businesses operating within city limits, administered by the Department of Finance (318-673-5500). A Certificate of Occupancy must be obtained first. The license must be renewed annually and displayed at your place of business.

   Official government source

   Varies by business type: professionals pay 1/10 of 1% of gross receipts; retailers $50-$6,200/year; wholesalers $50-$7,500/year. A new business pays $50 if it opens in the first half of the calendar year, or $25 from July 1, pro-rated on projected gross sales.·Not published. Shreveport issues a temporary license covering the first 30 days of business, after which you complete an update for the permanent license. Annual tax notices are mailed in December or January and are due before March 1.

   Varies by business type: professionals pay 1/10 of 1% of gross receipts; retailers $50-$6,200/year; wholesalers $50-$7,500/year. A new business pays $50 if it opens in the first half of the calendar year, or $25 from July 1, pro-rated on projected gross sales.

   Not published. Shreveport issues a temporary license covering the first 30 days of business, after which you complete an update for the permanent license. Annual tax notices are mailed in December or January and are due before March 1.

2. City of Shreveport Building, Electrical, Mechanical and Plumbing Permits (for regulated work)

   Handyman work that involves electrical, plumbing, HVAC or structural modification requires a permit from the City of Shreveport's Division of Permits and Inspections (505 Travis St., Suite 130; 318-673-6100), which issues permits for all of Caddo Parish except inside Greenwood and Oil City. Apply through mgoconnect.org. Anyone engaging in construction, electrical, mechanical or plumbing activity in the jurisdiction must hold a City Registration, renewed annually with current liability insurance. Contractors not licensed by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors are limited to $10,000 of residential work and $50,000 of commercial work; commercial projects over $50,000 require a licensed contractor, and a homeowner pulling a permit for residential work valued over $7,500 must file a Homeowner's Exemption from Licensure. Plumbing work requires a State Plumbing Board license. Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets and similar finish work, one-story detached accessory structures 200 square feet or less, fences up to 7 feet, and minor electrical repairs such as lamp replacement do not need a permit.

   Official government source

   Set by Shreveport Code Sec. 22-1 from the contract value, not a flat per-project amount. Residential repairs, alterations and renovations are $4.20 per $1,000 of contract value; commercial repairs, alterations and renovations are $5.25 per $1,000; the contract is rounded up to the next $1,000 and the minimum permit fee is $31.50. Miscellaneous residential construction such as fences, paving and retaining walls is $4.25 per $1,000. Each inspection is $68.25 and each reinspection is $68.25. Starting work without a permit means double the permit fee plus a $100 penalty.·Not published as a fixed window. The city states that review of simple projects with properly completed plans is often finished in one or two days; large or complex commercial projects must go to the State Fire Marshal, taking roughly three weeks. Permits issue after plan approval and payment through MGO.

   Set by Shreveport Code Sec. 22-1 from the contract value, not a flat per-project amount. Residential repairs, alterations and renovations are $4.20 per $1,000 of contract value; commercial repairs, alterations and renovations are $5.25 per $1,000; the contract is rounded up to the next $1,000 and the minimum permit fee is $31.50. Miscellaneous residential construction such as fences, paving and retaining walls is $4.25 per $1,000. Each inspection is $68.25 and each reinspection is $68.25. Starting work without a permit means double the permit fee plus a $100 penalty.

   Not published as a fixed window. The city states that review of simple projects with properly completed plans is often finished in one or two days; large or complex commercial projects must go to the State Fire Marshal, taking roughly three weeks. Permits issue after plan approval and payment through MGO.

Official Sources

• City of Shreveport Revenue Division
• Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors — Contractor License

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