Landscaping Permit Requirements in Dallas, TX

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Free from the IRS — apply online and receive your EIN immediately upon approval; the IRS never charges for an EIN (avoid third-party sites that do). Federally required if you hire employees or operate as a corporation or partnership (including a multi-member LLC); a single-member LLC with no employees and no excise-tax liability may use the owner's SSN instead, though most banks ask for an EIN to open a business bank account.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

2. EPA/FIFRA Pesticide Rules (if applying pesticides)

   Landscaping businesses that apply pesticides must follow federal FIFRA rules: use only EPA-registered products strictly according to the label ('the label is the law'), and restricted-use pesticides may only be applied by or under the direct supervision of a certified applicator (40 CFR Part 171). EPA's Agricultural Worker Protection Standard applies to farms, nurseries, and greenhouses — not typical landscaping work. Commercial applicator licensing is handled at the state level — in Texas, the Texas Department of Agriculture licenses commercial pesticide applicators; check TDA requirements before applying pesticides for hire.

   Official government source

   No federal fee (label compliance); state commercial-applicator license fees apply if you apply pesticides for hire·Ongoing compliance

   No federal fee (label compliance); state commercial-applicator license fees apply if you apply pesticides for hire

   Ongoing compliance

1. Texas Sales Tax Permit

   Landscaping services (including lawn maintenance, tree trimming, and land clearing) are taxable services in Texas. You must register with the Texas Comptroller to collect and remit sales tax. Registration is free and can be done online.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

2. Texas TDA Commercial Pesticide Applicator License (if applicable)

   If your landscaping business applies restricted-use or state-limited-use pesticides for hire, you must hold a Commercial Pesticide Applicator License from the Texas Department of Agriculture (Category 3, Lawn and Ornamental Pest Control - subcategory 3A Landscape Maintenance). Requires passing the General Standards exam plus at least one category exam; exams are administered by Metro Institute (since May 19, 2025) after TDA issues an eligibility letter. License renews annually with 5 continuing education credits.

   Official government source

   $200/year license fee plus $64/exam·4-8 weeks

   $200/year license fee plus $64/exam

   4-8 weeks

3. TCEQ Landscape Irrigator License (if installing irrigation)

   Anyone who installs, alters, repairs, or services irrigation systems in Texas must be licensed by the TCEQ. Requires completing approved basic irrigation, backflow prevention, and water-conservation courses and passing the TCEQ exam.

   Official government source

   $111 application fee; $111 renewal; license valid 3 years (24 CE hours to renew)·4-8 weeks

   $111 application fee; $111 renewal; license valid 3 years (24 CE hours to renew)

   4-8 weeks

4. Texas Nursery/Floral Certificate (if selling or installing plants)

   Landscaping contractors who purchase and install nursery products for customers must obtain a Class 1 Nursery/Floral Certificate from the Texas Department of Agriculture.

   Official government source

   $75/year (Class 1)·2-4 weeks

   $75/year (Class 1)

   2-4 weeks

1. Dallas County Assumed Name (DBA) Certificate

   Sole proprietorships and partnerships operating under a trade name must file an Assumed Name Certificate with the Dallas County Clerk at the Records Building, 500 Elm Street, Suite 2100. Required before conducting business under a business name in Dallas County.

   Official government source

   $23 ($0.50 for each additional owner; $2 acknowledgment fee if a deputy takes the acknowledgment instead of a notary)·Same day (in person)

   $23 ($0.50 for each additional owner; $2 acknowledgment fee if a deputy takes the acknowledgment instead of a notary)

   Same day (in person)

2. City of Dallas Landscape and Tree Permits

   The City of Dallas requires landscape plan review as part of building permits for development projects, under the Dallas Development Code's landscape and tree preservation regulations (Article X of Chapter 51A). Routine maintenance landscaping work needs no landscape permit; tree removal on commercial property may. Confirm applicability with Dallas Development Services.

   Official government source

   Varies by project scope -- see Dallas Development Services·2-4 weeks

   Varies by project scope -- see Dallas Development Services

   2-4 weeks

3. City of Dallas -- No Business Registration Required

   The City of Dallas does not require a general business license, occupational license, or citywide business registration -- no such license exists. The city's operating approval for a business occupying a commercial space is the Certificate of Occupancy, applied for through the DallasNow portal (Dallas Development Services). Home-based and mobile businesses with no commercial premises generally need no city-level general license, only compliance with zoning and any industry-specific permits.

   Official government source

   $0 (no general business license exists; a Certificate of Occupancy -- $375 general-permit fee -- applies if occupying a commercial space)·1-2 weeks

   $0 (no general business license exists; a Certificate of Occupancy -- $375 general-permit fee -- applies if occupying a commercial space)

   1-2 weeks

Official Sources

• Dallas County Clerk — Assumed Names/DBA Procedures
• Dallas City Hall — Landscape and Tree Manual
• Texas Comptroller — Sales Tax Permit
• Texas Department of Agriculture — Pesticide Commercial Applicator License
• TCEQ — Landscape Irrigator License
• Texas Department of Agriculture — Nursery/Floral Certificate

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