Handyman Business Permit Requirements in St. Louis, MO

Complete permit and license guide for starting a handyman business in St. Louis, St. Louis City County, Missouri.

Updated 2026-03-14 5 stops $200–$800 est. 2–6 weeks to obtain all registrations
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. This guide was compiled from public and official sources (last updated ) and has not yet been independently source-verified — confirm each requirement before acting on it.

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

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

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

State of Missouri

2 stops

  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

    FreeImmediate (online application)

  2. Missouri Contractor Registration (local)

    Missouri does not have a state-level general contractor license; licensing is handled at the local level. Most cities require contractors to register or obtain a local license.

    Official government source

    Varies by city ($50–$300)1–3 weeks

City of St. Louis / St. Louis City County

2 stops

  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 Business License from the License Collector's office. This license must be renewed annually and displayed at your place of business.

    Official government source

    $50–$500/year depending on business type and gross revenues1–3 weeks

  2. St. Louis City County Building Permit (for regulated work)

    Certain handyman tasks — including electrical, plumbing, HVAC work, or structural modifications — require permits pulled from the St. Louis City County or City of St. Louis building department. Handymen should not perform licensed contractor work without the appropriate state license.

    Official government source

    $50–$500 per project depending on scope1–3 weeks

Terminus

Open for business — est. $200–$800 · 2–6 weeks to obtain all registrations

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Official Sources

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