Cleaning Service Permit Requirements in Columbus, OH

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees, or operate as a corporation or multi-member LLC. Single-member LLCs with no employees can generally use the owner's SSN instead. Obtained free from the IRS. Also useful for business bank accounts and federal tax filings.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Ohio Secretary of State — Business Entity Registration

   If operating as an LLC, corporation, or partnership, register your business entity with the Ohio Secretary of State. Sole proprietors using their legal name do not need to register, but LLCs and corporations must file Articles of Organization/Incorporation.

   Official government source

   $99 (LLC Articles of Organization); $99 (Corporation Articles of Incorporation)·3–7 business days (online) or 2–3 weeks (mail)

   $99 (LLC Articles of Organization); $99 (Corporation Articles of Incorporation)

   3–7 business days (online) or 2–3 weeks (mail)

2. Ohio Vendor's License (Sales Tax Registration)

   Building maintenance and janitorial service is taxable in Ohio under ORC 5739.01(B)(3)(j). The statutory definition covers cleaning the interior or exterior of any building — residential as well as commercial — with one exception: a provider with less than $5,000 in such sales during the calendar year is excluded. Register with the Ohio Department of Taxation (or the county auditor) for a vendor's license before collecting tax.

   Official government source

   $50·Immediate (online via Gateway.Ohio.gov)

   $50

   Immediate (online via Gateway.Ohio.gov)

3. Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation — Employer Registration

   Ohio requires all employers to carry workers' compensation insurance through the state Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC). Cleaning services with employees must register with the BWC before the first employee starts work.

   Official government source

   Premium varies by payroll and risk classification; a non-refundable fee is also due with the BWC coverage application — confirm the current amount with the Ohio BWC (1-800-644-6292)·1–2 weeks

   Premium varies by payroll and risk classification; a non-refundable fee is also due with the BWC coverage application — confirm the current amount with the Ohio BWC (1-800-644-6292)

   1–2 weeks

1. City of Columbus — Income Tax Registration

   Businesses operating in Columbus must register with the Columbus Income Tax Division (an office of the City Auditor) for the city income tax, which is levied at 2.5%. Registration applies to businesses earning net profit from work performed in Columbus and to employers who must withhold the tax from employees, including cleaning services.

   Official government source

   Free (no registration fee)·Immediate to 1 week (online)

   Free (no registration fee)

   Immediate to 1 week (online)

2. Ohio Trade Name Registration (DBA)

   If operating under a trade name (e.g., 'Sparkling Clean Columbus' instead of your legal name), you must register a trade name (DBA) with the Ohio Secretary of State under ORC 1329.01 — not Franklin County Probate Court. Required before advertising under the business name.

   Official government source

   $39 one-time filing fee ($25 to renew every 5 years)·Filed online; typically processed within a few business days

   $39 one-time filing fee ($25 to renew every 5 years)

   Filed online; typically processed within a few business days

3. Commercial Vehicle Permit (if using commercial vehicles)

   Standard cleaning-service vehicles do not need any Columbus city vehicle permit. Columbus only requires a Special Hauling Permit (from the Department of Public Service) for vehicles/loads exceeding standard weight and dimension limits (over 80,000 lbs gross weight or oversized dimensions) — this would not apply to a typical service van or truck.

   Official government source

   N/A — not applicable to standard service vehicles·N/A

   N/A — not applicable to standard service vehicles

   N/A

Official Sources

• Columbus Division of Taxation
• Ohio Secretary of State — Business Filings
• Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation
• Ohio Gateway — Vendor's License

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