Landscaping Permit Requirements in New York City, NY

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)

2. EPA Pesticide Compliance (if using regulated chemicals)

   Landscaping businesses using EPA-registered pesticides must comply with FIFRA requirements and EPA Worker Protection Standards.

   Official government source

   Free (compliance requirement, no permit fee)·Ongoing compliance

   Free (compliance requirement, no permit fee)

   Ongoing compliance

1. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation — Pesticide Applicator License (if applying pesticides)

   Landscaping businesses that apply pesticides for hire in New York State must be licensed as a Commercial Pesticide Applicator by the NYS DEC. Requires passing a core exam and a specific category exam (e.g., Category 3A for Turf and Ornamental). NYC also enforces the NYC Pesticide Notification Law for applications near schools and daycare centers.

   Official government source

   $50–$200 (license fee and exam fees)·4–8 weeks

   $50–$200 (license fee and exam fees)

   4–8 weeks

2. New York State Certificate of Authority (Sales Tax Registration)

   Landscaping and lawn care services in New York are subject to sales tax in most categories. You must register for a Certificate of Authority from the NYS Tax Department before beginning work for compensation. NYC total rate is 8.875%.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online registration)

   Free

   Immediate (online registration)

3. New York State Workers' Compensation and Disability Insurance

   All New York State employers must carry workers' compensation insurance and NY State Disability Benefits (DB) insurance before hiring employees. Failure to maintain workers' comp coverage is a criminal offense in NYS.

   Official government source

   Workers' comp: $1,500–$8,000+/year depending on payroll·Obtain before first hire

   Workers' comp: $1,500–$8,000+/year depending on payroll

   Obtain before first hire

1. NYC Business Certificate (DBA) — County Clerk Filing

   Sole proprietors or partnerships operating a landscaping business under a trade name must file a Business Certificate with the County Clerk in their county of operation. In Manhattan, file with the Manhattan County Clerk (New York County Clerk).

   Official government source

   $100 (Manhattan County Clerk filing fee; fees vary by borough)·Same day (in person) or 1–2 weeks (by mail)

   $100 (Manhattan County Clerk filing fee; fees vary by borough)

   Same day (in person) or 1–2 weeks (by mail)

2. NYC Parks Department — Permit for Work on City Property

   Any landscaping, planting, or tree work on NYC Parks Department property or in the public right-of-way requires a permit from the NYC Parks Department. This applies to streetscaping, tree pit maintenance, and any planting or removal on public land.

   Official government source

   $25–$300 depending on scope·2–4 weeks

   $25–$300 depending on scope

   2–4 weeks

3. NYC Department of Buildings — Construction Permit (for site work)

   Significant landscape construction on private property in NYC (retaining walls, grading, drainage systems, irrigation installations) may require a NYC Department of Buildings permit.

   Official government source

   Varies by scope·4–10 weeks

   Varies by scope

   4–10 weeks

Official Sources

• NYC Parks Department — Permits
• NYS DEC — Pesticide Commercial Applicator License
• New York State Tax — Sales Tax (Certificate of Authority)
• New York State Workers' Compensation Board — New Employer

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