Pressure Washing Permit Requirements in Baltimore, MD

Complete permit and license guide for starting a pressure washing in Baltimore, Baltimore City, Maryland.

Verified 2026-08-19 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 Baltimore / Baltimore City

3 stops

  1. Baltimore Business License

    Baltimore City does not issue a generic business license for all businesses. Maryland business licensing runs through the state court system: businesses that sell goods need a traders license from the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City (fee based on average commercial inventory, $20-$2,125/year in Baltimore City per Md. Code, Bus. Reg. 17-1807). Most pure service businesses need no traders license. Baltimore City's Department of Finance issues only specific license types (e.g., late-night commercial operations, going-out-of-business sales), and location-based businesses need a DHCD use & occupancy permit.

    Official government source

    $0 general licensing for a pressure-washing service1–3 weeks

  2. Stormwater / Wastewater Discharge Compliance

    Pressure-washing wastewater must not enter storm drains; contain and dispose properly. Baltimore City DPW administers the city stormwater program; MDE regulates statewide.

    Official government source

    No permit fee (compliance requirement)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) via Maryland Business Express before doing business under that name.

    Official government source

    SDAT trade-name filing - standard fee $25 (confirm current amount); expedited extra1–2 weeks

Terminus

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

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