Landscaping Business Permit Requirements in Minneapolis, MN

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

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

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

1. Minnesota Secretary of State Business Registration

   All formal business entities (LLC, corporation) operating in Minnesota must register with the Minnesota Secretary of State. An LLC is commonly used by landscaping businesses for liability protection. Filing costs approximately $155.

   Official government source

   $155 (LLC filing fee)·Immediate (online or in-person); 4-7 business days if filed by mail

   $155 (LLC filing fee)

   Immediate (online or in-person); 4-7 business days if filed by mail

2. Minnesota Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicator License

   A landscaping business that applies herbicides, pesticides or other regulated chemicals for hire needs a Commercial Pesticide Applicator License from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. The license requires passing a written exam and carrying the category endorsements that match the work, such as turf and ornamentals or right-of-way.

   Official government source

   $76 per year — a $50 license fee plus a $21 ACRRA surcharge and a $5 MDA processing fee·Licensed after passing the exam; the license runs a calendar year and must be renewed by March 1, with a $25 late fee after that date

   $76 per year — a $50 license fee plus a $21 ACRRA surcharge and a $5 MDA processing fee

   Licensed after passing the exam; the license runs a calendar year and must be renewed by March 1, with a $25 late fee after that date

3. Minnesota Contractor Registration — No Landscaping Contractor License

   Minnesota has no standalone landscaping contractor license. A residential building contractor license is required only of contractors working in more than one of DLI's eight special skill areas — excavation, masonry/concrete, carpentry, interior finishing, exterior finishing, drywall and plaster, roofing, and general installation specialties — and landscaping and irrigation are not among them. A landscaper who provides a single specialty skill such as masonry/concrete retaining walls, or who does commercial work without a residential license, must instead register through DLI's Contractor Registration Program. Irrigation work connecting to a potable water supply requires a licensed plumber.

   Official government source

   No fee — DLI charges nothing to apply for or renew a contractor registration; applications are submitted electronically through iMS·Two to three business days for a complete application, up to 30 days during the October–December peak renewal period in odd-numbered years; registrations renew every two years, expiring at the end of December in odd-numbered years

   No fee — DLI charges nothing to apply for or renew a contractor registration; applications are submitted electronically through iMS

   Two to three business days for a complete application, up to 30 days during the October–December peak renewal period in odd-numbered years; registrations renew every two years, expiring at the end of December in odd-numbered years

4. Minnesota Department of Revenue Sales Tax License

   Landscaping services in Minnesota may be subject to sales tax depending on the nature of the work (installation vs. maintenance). Businesses must register for a sales tax license with the Minnesota Department of Revenue to properly assess and remit taxes on taxable services.

   Official government source

   Free·1 week

   Free

   1 week

1. No Minneapolis Business License Required for Landscaping Companies

   Minneapolis does not issue a general business license. The city licenses only the categories in its business-license directory and License Fee Schedule — alcohol and tobacco, food, body art/massage/tanning, lodging, animal, building-trade contractors such as plumbing and mechanical, vehicles-for-hire, entertainment and cannabis. Landscaping is not among them, so no city business license is required. A landscaper applying pesticides still needs a state applicator license from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

   Official government source

   $0 — no Minneapolis license category applies to landscaping·Not applicable — no city application is filed

   $0 — no Minneapolis license category applies to landscaping

   Not applicable — no city application is filed

Official Sources

• Minnesota Department of Agriculture — Pesticide Applicator Licensing
• Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry — Contractor Licensing
• City of Minneapolis — Business Licenses
• Minnesota Department of Revenue — Sales Tax

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