Pressure Washing Permit Requirements in Annapolis, MD

Complete permit and license guide for starting a pressure washing in Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland.

Verified 2026-09-02 6 stops $150–$750 est. 1–3 weeks to obtain all required licenses and insurance
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. Key agencies and fees on this page were re-checked against official government sources on .

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

    Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online)

State of Maryland

2 stops

  1. Maryland Sales and Use Tax Registration

    Required for businesses selling taxable goods or services in Maryland. Register free with the Maryland Comptroller's Office. Note: cleaning of a COMMERCIAL or industrial building, including its exterior, is a taxable Maryland service (Tax-General §11-101(m)) — commercial pressure washing must collect the 6% tax; residential-only work is not taxable.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online via bFile)

  2. General Liability Insurance

    Pressure washing businesses in Maryland should carry general liability insurance ($1M minimum per occurrence) to cover property damage. Most commercial clients and property managers require proof of insurance before hiring. Vehicle insurance is also required if using a company vehicle.

    $500–$1,500/yearSame day (online quotes)

City of Annapolis / Anne Arundel County

3 stops

  1. Annapolis — No General Business License Required

    Neither the City of Annapolis nor the State of Maryland requires a general business license for a pressure washing company. Annapolis licenses only specific activities (peddlers/mobile vendors, bed-and-breakfasts, rental housing, trade contractors) through the City Clerk and Licenses & Permits Division. Businesses selling goods need a Maryland trader's license from the Anne Arundel County Clerk of the Circuit Court, and opening a commercial space in Annapolis requires a Certificate of Use from Planning and Zoning.

    Official government source

    $0 — no general business license exists; activity-specific licenses, if applicable, have their own feesNot applicable

  2. Stormwater Illicit Discharge Compliance (Annapolis Code Ch. 17.07)

    Pressure washing businesses operating in Annapolis are governed by the city's illicit discharge and connection law, City Code Chapter 17.07, which prohibits disposing of any substance other than stormwater into the storm drain system - soapy wash water, oils, and chemicals included. Wash water must be contained and disposed of properly rather than allowed to reach a storm drain; discharge to the sanitary sewer may require a wastewater discharge permit from the city. The program is run by the Annapolis Department of Public Works stormwater team ([email protected]), which also investigates reported discharges. For job sites in unincorporated Anne Arundel County, county requirements apply instead.

    Official government source

    No permit fee for compliance itself, but violations carry published penalties: civil action up to $10,000 per day (17.07.130) and criminal misdemeanor fines up to $5,000 per day (17.07.200). A city nonresidential wastewater discharge permit, if needed, is $130.00 for a one-year permit or $100.00 per year for a three-year permit.Ongoing compliance

  3. DBA (Doing Business As) Registration

    If operating under a trade name, register it with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) before accepting jobs under that name. Maryland trade names are filed at the state level (online via Maryland Business Express), not with the county; registration is effective for five years.

    Official government source

    $25 ($75 with expedited processing)4-6 weeks standard processing; expedited/online filing is faster

Terminus

Open for business — est. $150–$750 · 1–3 weeks to obtain all required licenses and insurance

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