Handyman Business Permit Requirements in Silver Spring, MD

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. Maryland Comptroller — Sales Tax Registration

   Required for all businesses selling taxable goods or services in Maryland (6% state rate; Maryland has no local sales taxes). Retail product sales are taxable. Some services are also taxable — notably cleaning of a COMMERCIAL or industrial building (janitorial/commercial cleaning) under Md. Tax-General §11-101(m): commercial cleaning businesses must collect 6% on the service itself, while residential cleaning is not taxable. Sales of photographs (portrait/wedding) are taxable as tangible personal property. Registration with the Comptroller of Maryland is free.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online via bFile)

   Free

   Immediate (online via bFile)

2. Maryland Home Improvement Commission — Home Improvement Contractor License

   Any contractor performing home improvement work in Maryland (including repairs, renovations, and installations in residential properties) must be licensed by the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC).

   Official government source

   $281.25 license fee per place of business (2-year term, effective Aug 1, 2024) + $100 Guaranty Fund assessment (original licensees)·4–8 weeks

   $281.25 license fee per place of business (2-year term, effective Aug 1, 2024) + $100 Guaranty Fund assessment (original licensees)

   4–8 weeks

1. Montgomery County — No General Business License (activity-specific licenses only)

   Silver Spring is an unincorporated community in Montgomery County, so all local permits come from the county. Neither Maryland nor Montgomery County requires a general business license. Only specific activities are licensed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court License Department — e.g., retail sales require a Trader's License; garages, vending machines, and construction have their own licenses. Most service businesses need no county business license; confirm any activity-specific license with the Clerk's License Department (licenses expire April 30 annually).

   Official government source

   $0 for most businesses; Trader's License (retail only) fee varies by inventory value·Not applicable for most businesses; Trader's License typically issued within days

   $0 for most businesses; Trader's License (retail only) fee varies by inventory value

   Not applicable for most businesses; Trader's License typically issued within days

2. Montgomery County Building Permit (for regulated work)

   Certain handyman tasks require permits: building, electrical, and mechanical/HVAC permits come from the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (Silver Spring is unincorporated and has no city building department), while plumbing and fuel-gas permits are issued by WSSC Water and can only be pulled by WSSC Water-licensed master plumbers/gasfitters. Handymen must hold a Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) license for residential improvement work and must not perform licensed trade work without the appropriate license.

   Official government source

   Varies by permit type and scope; FY27 DPS minimums are $111.94–$186.56 (electrical) and $80.84–$130.59 (mechanical) plus equipment fees, with WSSC Water plumbing/gas fees charged separately·1–3 weeks

   Varies by permit type and scope; FY27 DPS minimums are $111.94–$186.56 (electrical) and $80.84–$130.59 (mechanical) plus equipment fees, with WSSC Water plumbing/gas fees charged separately

   1–3 weeks

Official Sources

• Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services
• Maryland Home Improvement Commission — Home Improvement Contractor License

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