Landscaping Business Permit Requirements in Paterson, NJ

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. New Jersey Division of Taxation — Sales Tax Certificate of Authority

   Required for all businesses selling taxable goods or services in New Jersey. New Jersey charges a 6.625% state sales tax. Most services are exempt; retail product sales and certain services are taxable. Register free online via the State of New Jersey Business Registration portal.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate to 3 business days (online)

   Free

   Immediate to 3 business days (online)

2. New Jersey Commercial Pesticide Applicator License (NJDEP)

   If you apply pesticides or herbicides as part of landscaping services in New Jersey, you must hold a Commercial Pesticide Applicator License from the NJ Department of Environmental Protection's Pesticide Control Program — not the Department of Agriculture. You first become certified by passing the core exam plus the exam for each category of application you perform, then file a license application. The landscaping business itself must also hold a separate Pesticide Applicator Business license, and each place of business and each business name needs its own. Employees who apply pesticides under supervision are licensed separately as commercial pesticide operators.

   Official government source

   $80 per year for the commercial pesticide applicator license (N.J.A.C. 7:30-6.4) plus $150 per year for the pesticide applicator business license for each place of business (N.J.A.C. 7:30-7.1). Exam fees are charged by the examination provider; missing a scheduled exam without cause costs $50.·You must file the license application within 12 months of becoming certified or you lose certification. Every license year ends October 31 and renews annually.

   $80 per year for the commercial pesticide applicator license (N.J.A.C. 7:30-6.4) plus $150 per year for the pesticide applicator business license for each place of business (N.J.A.C. 7:30-7.1). Exam fees are charged by the examination provider; missing a scheduled exam without cause costs $50.

   You must file the license application within 12 months of becoming certified or you lose certification. Every license year ends October 31 and renews annually.

1. City of Paterson Health & Human Services — Mercantile License

   Paterson city ordinance requires businesses operating in the city to register and obtain a Mercantile License, administered by the Mercantile Licensing division of the Department of Health & Human Services. A mercantile inspector visits the business as part of the process, which the city describes as a consumer-protection function that also provides technical assistance to businesses. Note that Paterson has no 'Department of Business Administration' — the city's departments are Administration, Community Development, Economic Development, Finance, Health & Human Services, Legal, Municipal Court, Public Safety and Public Works. Businesses in regulated industries need additional permits from the relevant division, such as retail food licensing from the Division of Health or construction permits from UCC Construction/Buildings.

   Official government source

   Paterson does not publish a Mercantile License fee schedule online; the fee is set by city ordinance and varies with the type of business. Contact Mercantile Licensing through City Hall at 973-321-1600 for the amount that applies to you.·Paterson's permitting and licensing system is being moved online. Apply through Mercantile Licensing and allow time for the mercantile inspection before you open.

   Paterson does not publish a Mercantile License fee schedule online; the fee is set by city ordinance and varies with the type of business. Contact Mercantile Licensing through City Hall at 973-321-1600 for the amount that applies to you.

   Paterson's permitting and licensing system is being moved online. Apply through Mercantile Licensing and allow time for the mercantile inspection before you open.

2. City of Paterson — Contractor Permitting for Landscaping Work

   Passaic County has no construction or contractor-registration division, so any registration requirement would be a City of Paterson one. Landscapers performing regulated construction work — irrigation lines, electrical, retaining structures — obtain permits from the City of Paterson's UCC Construction/Buildings division. Contractors performing New Jersey 'home improvement' work must also register with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs Home Improvement Contractor registry. Confirm with the City of Paterson whether any separate landscaping registration applies to your scope of work.

   Official government source

   Paterson permit fees are set by city ordinance and depend on scope of work — confirm the current amount with the UCC Construction/Buildings division.·Depends on the permits your scope of work requires — confirm with the UCC Construction/Buildings division.

   Paterson permit fees are set by city ordinance and depend on scope of work — confirm the current amount with the UCC Construction/Buildings division.

   Depends on the permits your scope of work requires — confirm with the UCC Construction/Buildings division.

Official Sources

• City of Paterson Department of Business Administration
• New Jersey Division of Taxation — Sales Tax Certificate of Authority

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