Handyman Business Permit Requirements in Burlington, VT

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)

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

   Free·Immediate (online via myVTax)

   Free

   Immediate (online via myVTax)

2. Vermont Office of Professional Regulation — Contractor Registration

   Contractors performing residential construction, renovation, or repair work valued at $10,000 or more in Vermont must register with the Vermont OPR (required as of April 1, 2023, under Act 182). Requires proof of insurance ($1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate minimum). Local zoning permits are required for most projects; confirm with the municipality.

   Official government source

   $75 (individual registration) or $250 (business registration)·2–4 weeks

   $75 (individual registration) or $250 (business registration)

   2–4 weeks

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 Burlington·N/A — there is no application to file unless your business is cannabis, liquor, peddling, or taxi

   $0 — no general business licence exists in Burlington

   N/A — there is no application to file unless your business is cannabis, liquor, peddling, or taxi

2. Burlington Building Permit (for regulated work)

   Handyman tasks that involve electrical, plumbing, HVAC or structural work require permits from the City of Burlington's Trades Division (Department of Permitting & Inspections), applied for through the City's OpenGov system; short-form applications are available for simple projects such as decks, windows, roofing, siding and fences. Zoning approval always comes first where a zoning permit is also needed. There is no Chittenden County building department. A handyman must not perform licensed trade work without the appropriate Vermont licence — electricians and plumbers are licensed by the state Division of Fire Safety — and residential work valued at $10,000 or more requires registration as a residential contractor with the Office of Professional Regulation.

   Official government source

   Construction permit: $30 for any project up to $2,858 of construction cost; above that, $8.50 per $1,000 plus a $15 recording fee, plus $10 if a Building Certificate of Occupancy is required. A zoning permit, where needed, is $15 filing plus $107.·The City does not publish a processing time; contact the Trades Division at 802-863-9094.

   Construction permit: $30 for any project up to $2,858 of construction cost; above that, $8.50 per $1,000 plus a $15 recording fee, plus $10 if a Building Certificate of Occupancy is required. A zoning permit, where needed, is $15 filing plus $107.

   The City does not publish a processing time; contact the Trades Division at 802-863-9094.

Official Sources

• City of Burlington City Clerk
• Vermont Office of Professional Regulation — Contractor Registration

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