Cleaning Service Permit Requirements in Burlington, VT

Complete permit and license guide for starting a cleaning service in Burlington, Chittenden County, Vermont.

Verified 2026-09-07 5 stops $150–$500 est. 1–3 weeks to obtain all licenses and registrations
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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 Vermont

2 stops

  1. Vermont Department of Taxes — Sales Tax Registration

    Required for all businesses selling tangible personal property or taxable services in Vermont. Vermont charges a 6% state sales tax; meals and lodging are taxed at 9%. Register with the Vermont Department of Taxes online.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online via myVTax)

  2. Vermont Workers' Compensation Insurance

    Vermont requires most employers to carry workers' compensation insurance for employees. Sole proprietors with no employees are generally exempt, but confirm with state requirements.

    Official government source

    Varies (typically $500–$2,000/year depending on payroll)Immediate to 1 week

City of Burlington / Chittenden County

2 stops

  1. Burlington Business License (not required for most businesses)

    Burlington's City Clerk/Treasurer does not issue a general business licence, and there is no gross-receipts-based city business tax certificate. The office licenses exactly four categories: cannabis, liquor, peddler, and taxi. Fitness studios, tutoring, cleaning services, salons, contractors, food trucks, child care, pet services, photography, and professional services are not required to hold a blanket city business licence. Check whether your business falls into one of the four licensed categories; otherwise the relevant approvals are trade- or use-specific — a zoning permit or Certificate of Occupancy from the Department of Permitting & Inspections, a state Health Department food licence, or a state professional licence from the Office of Professional Regulation.

    Official government source

    $0 — no general business licence exists in BurlingtonN/A — there is no application to file unless your business is cannabis, liquor, peddling, or taxi

  2. Burlington Home Occupation Approval / Vermont Assumed Business Name (DBA)

    Two separate things apply. If you run the cleaning service from your home, Sec. 5.4.6 of Burlington's Comprehensive Development Ordinance governs home occupations — administrative approval by the Zoning Administrator for low-impact office use with no clients on site, no outside storage, no signage, and no non-resident employees. Separately, if you trade under a name other than your own legal name, file an Assumed Business Name registration with the Vermont Secretary of State. Vermont has town and city clerks but no county clerk that accepts business filings, so there is no Chittenden County filing option.

    Official government source

    $70 Vermont Secretary of State assumed business name filing (renewed every 5 years, $65 reregistration); Burlington home-occupation zoning permit $15 filing fee + $107Assumed business name: under 1 business day online, 7–10 business days by mail. Zoning permit: issued administratively for a low-impact home occupation.

Terminus

Open for business — est. $150–$500 · 1–3 weeks to obtain all licenses and registrations

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