Plumbing Contractor Permit Requirements in Paterson, NJ

Complete permit and license guide for starting a plumbing contractor in Paterson, Passaic County, New Jersey.

Verified 2026-08-31 5 stops $400–$1,200 est. 4–10 weeks to obtain all licenses
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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 New Jersey

1 stop

  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

    FreeImmediate to 3 business days (online)

City of Paterson / Passaic County

3 stops

  1. New Jersey State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers — Master Plumber License

    Plumbing contractors in New Jersey must hold a Master Plumber license from the State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers (Division of Consumer Affairs). Applicants must be at least 21 years old, complete a formal apprenticeship and then a journeyman year of 1,200 hours of hands-on plumbing experience documented by W-2s and work certifications signed and sealed by supervising master plumbers, and pass the Board examination. A $3,000 surety bond must be carried to keep the license active.

    Official government source

    $100 Master Plumber application fee (apprentice or journeyman plumber registration is $75, or $50 for a journeyman previously registered as an apprentice), payable by check or money order — no cash4–8 weeks

  2. 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.

  3. City of Paterson UCC Construction/Buildings — Plumbing Permit (per project)

    A plumbing subcode permit must be pulled from the City of Paterson's UCC Construction/Buildings division at 111 Broadway (973-321-1549) for each job. Plumbing permits under New Jersey's Uniform Construction Code are issued only by the municipal construction office, so Passaic County has no permitting role. Paterson's plumbing inspectors are licensed by the NJ Department of Community Affairs and carry out the rough and final inspections; the work must be signed off before the job is closed out. Use the State of New Jersey standardized construction permit forms, which Paterson links from its UCC page.

    Official government source

    Fees vary with the type of permit and the scope of the work; the Construction Official quotes the amount per project (City of Paterson Business Handbook).3–20 days from filing, depending on how much plan review the work requires; inspections are scheduled after the permit is released (City of Paterson Business Handbook).

Terminus

Open for business — est. $400–$1,200 · 4–10 weeks to obtain all licenses

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