Pressure Washing Permit Requirements in Paterson, NJ

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

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

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

1. New Jersey Business Registration Certificate

   All businesses operating in New Jersey must register with the NJ Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (Form NJ-REG) and collect sales tax where applicable; NJ-REG registration itself has no listed filing fee. LLCs and corporations additionally pay a separate Certificate of Formation/Authorization fee (~$100 for-profit, $50 domestic nonprofit) when forming the entity.

   Official government source

   Free (NJ-REG); ~$100 for-profit / $50 nonprofit entity formation fee (separate, LLC/corp only)·1–2 weeks

   Free (NJ-REG); ~$100 for-profit / $50 nonprofit entity formation fee (separate, LLC/corp only)

   1–2 weeks

2. General Liability Insurance

   Pressure washing businesses in New Jersey should carry general liability insurance ($1M minimum per occurrence) to cover property damage. Most commercial clients and property managers require proof of insurance before hiring. Vehicle insurance is also required if using a company vehicle.

   $500–$1,500/year·Same day (online quotes)

   $500–$1,500/year

   Same day (online quotes)

1. Paterson Mercantile License

   City ordinance requires Paterson businesses, including pressure washing companies, to register and obtain a Mercantile License. It is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services — Mercantile Licensing, 125 Ellison Street, Paterson NJ 07505 (973-321-1242, Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) — not the City Clerk's Office. The licensing process includes inspection and consumer-protection oversight, and the license is renewed annually.

   Official government source

   Fee is set by City ordinance and varies by business category; confirm the current amount with Mercantile Licensing at 973-321-1242·1–3 weeks

   Fee is set by City ordinance and varies by business category; confirm the current amount with Mercantile Licensing at 973-321-1242

   1–3 weeks

2. Stormwater / Wastewater Discharge Compliance

   Pressure washing businesses in Paterson must comply with New Jersey's municipal stormwater (MS4) rules and with Paterson's own stormwater ordinances, which prohibit illicit connections to the storm sewer and the improper disposal of waste. Wash water carrying detergents, oils or other pollutants may not be allowed to reach a storm drain, so you generally have to contain it and dispose of it properly — a sanitary sewer connection with permission, or collection and hauling. Paterson runs its own Environmental Health function inside the Department of Health & Human Services (973-321-1277), so job-site questions in Paterson go to the city rather than to Passaic County.

   Official government source

   No permit fee — this is a compliance obligation rather than a license. Costs are for containment equipment and proper disposal, and violations carry municipal fines.·Ongoing. It applies to every job from day one; there is no application or waiting period.

   No permit fee — this is a compliance obligation rather than a license. Costs are for containment equipment and proper disposal, and violations carry municipal fines.

   Ongoing. It applies to every job from day one; there is no application or waiting period.

3. DBA (Trade Name) Registration — Passaic County Clerk

   If operating as a sole proprietorship or general partnership under a trade name, file a Certificate of Trade Name with the Passaic County Clerk (401 Grand St, Room 130, Paterson) before accepting jobs under that name. The application must be notarized; the Clerk's Office can notarize it at filing for an additional $3.00. LLCs, corporations and LPs do not file with the county — they register an alternate/trade name with the NJ Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services at the state level.

   Official government source

   $50.00 Certificate of Trade Name application fee (credit/debit card or money order payable to Passaic County Clerk); optional $3.00 notarization at the Clerk's Office·1–2 weeks

   $50.00 Certificate of Trade Name application fee (credit/debit card or money order payable to Passaic County Clerk); optional $3.00 notarization at the Clerk's Office

   1–2 weeks

Official Sources

• City of Paterson — Business Licensing
• New Jersey Department of Environmental Quality
• New Jersey Secretary of State

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