Handyman Business Permit Requirements in St. Louis, MO

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

Verified 2026-09-02 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. 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 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

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 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 $37,5001–3 weeks

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

    Certain handyman tasks - including electrical, plumbing, HVAC/mechanical work, or structural modifications - require permits from the City of St. Louis Building Division. Electrical and plumbing permits are issued only to contractors holding an Electrical Contractor or Plumbing Contractor license issued by the City of St. Louis Building Division (a state license does not qualify), so a handyman cannot pull them and must engage a City-licensed contractor for that work.

    Official government source

    Building permit: $25 application fee plus $19-$30 permit fee for projects up to $3,000, or $10 per $1,000 of estimated construction cost above $3,000. Electrical permit application fee $25. Plumbing permit application fee $30 plus $25 per rough and finish inspection.Most permit applications approved in 1-3 business days; up to 10 business days

Terminus

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

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