Cleaning Service Permit Requirements in St. Louis, MO

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. Missouri Department of Revenue — Sales Tax License

   Required for all businesses selling taxable goods in Missouri. The state rate is 4.225%; local rates vary by city and county. Register online with the Missouri Department of Revenue.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

2. Missouri Workers' Compensation Insurance

   Missouri requires workers' compensation insurance for employers with 5 or more employees; construction-industry employers must carry it with 1 or more employees. Sole proprietors and partners themselves are not counted; LLC members and corporate officers are. Businesses under the threshold may elect voluntary coverage.

   Official government source

   Varies (typically $500–$2,000/year depending on payroll)·Immediate to 1 week

   Varies (typically $500–$2,000/year depending on payroll)

   Immediate to 1 week

1. City of St. Louis License Collector — Business License

   St. Louis City is an independent city (not part of St. Louis County) and requires a Graduated Business License (GBL) from the License Collector's Office before commencing business. The license must be renewed annually; renewal applications and payment are due before June 1 to avoid penalties.

   Official government source

   $200 initial fee ($100 if starting between January 1 and May 31); annual renewal is graduated by number of St. Louis employees, from $200 (0-2 employees) up to $37,500·1–3 weeks

   $200 initial fee ($100 if starting between January 1 and May 31); annual renewal is graduated by number of St. Louis employees, from $200 (0-2 employees) up to $37,500

   1–3 weeks

2. St. Louis Home Occupancy Waiver / Missouri Fictitious Name Registration

   If operating a cleaning service from your home in the City of St. Louis, you need a Home Occupancy Waiver from the Building Division Zoning Section. If using a trade name, file a Registration of Fictitious Name with the Missouri Secretary of State's Corporations Division ($7, valid five years) — Missouri DBAs are registered at the state level, not with the city.

   Official government source

   $50 (home occupancy waiver); $7 (state fictitious name registration)·1–2 weeks

   $50 (home occupancy waiver); $7 (state fictitious name registration)

   1–2 weeks

Official Sources

• City of St. Louis License Collector
• Missouri Department of Revenue — Sales Tax License

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