Electrical Contractor Permit Requirements in Burlington, VT

Complete permit and license guide for starting a electrical contractor in Burlington, Chittenden County, Vermont.

Verified 2026-09-07 5 stops $400–$1,500 est. 4–10 weeks to obtain all licenses
Get my personalized route — $14.99

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

1 stop

  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)

City of Burlington / Chittenden County

3 stops

  1. Vermont Division of Fire Safety — Electrician Licence

    Vermont does not issue a separate business-level "electrical contractor licence." The Division of Fire Safety (Department of Public Safety) licenses individual electricians as Master, Journeyman, or Specialist; a firm doing electrical work in Burlington must have a licensed Master Electrician responsible for the work. Licensing requires documented experience and passing the state exam on the adopted National Electrical Code. Licences run for three years.

    Official government source

    $150 Master, $115 Journeyman, $115 per specialist field — each a 3-year licence (exam fees are separate)The Division does not publish a processing time; allow several weeks after the exam and a complete application.

  2. 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

  3. Burlington Electrical Permit (per project)

    An electrical permit must be obtained from the City of Burlington's Trades Division (Department of Permitting & Inspections) for each electrical project. Burlington Code of Ordinances chapter 12 adopts the 2025 Vermont Electrical Safety Rules, which the Trades Division enforces. Most projects that need a zoning permit also need a building/electrical/plumbing/mechanical permit, applied for together through the City's OpenGov portal, with a final inspection on completion. There is no Chittenden County building department — Vermont counties operate no regulatory agencies.

    Official government source

    Construction permit fee: $30 for any project up to about $2,858 of construction cost; above that, $8.50 per $1,000 of construction cost plus a $15 recording fee. Add $10 if the project requires a building Certificate of Occupancy.Not published by the City; permits are applied for and inspections scheduled through the OpenGov permitting portal.

Terminus

Open for business — est. $400–$1,500 · 4–10 weeks to obtain all licenses

Want this mapped to your exact business and structure, in filing order?

Get my personalized route — $14.99

Official Sources

Related Guides