HVAC Contractor 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. EPA Section 608 Certification (for refrigerants)

   Technicians who purchase, recover, or handle refrigerants must hold EPA Section 608 certification. Required by federal law regardless of state.

   Official government source

   $20–$100 (exam)·1–2 days

   $20–$100 (exam)

   1–2 days

1. Vermont Division of Fire Safety — Type-S Journeyman (C3 Refrigeration/AC) and Gas or Oil Burner Certification

   Vermont has no single statewide 'HVAC Mechanical Contractor License.' The 2025 Vermont Electrical Safety Rules list C3 — refrigeration or air conditioning, air-to-air heat pumps — and A1 — automatic gas or oil heating, including geothermal and ground-source heat pumps — as Type-S Journeyman Electrician specialty fields. Gas-fired work also requires a Gas Certification and oil-fired equipment work an Oil Burner Installer certificate (Bronze, Silver, or Gold, based on NORA examinations), both from the Department of Public Safety's Division of Fire Safety. Federal EPA Section 608 certification is separately required to handle refrigerants.

   Official government source

   Type-S specialist licence $115 per specialty field (3-year licence); Gas Certification $60 initial and $60 renewal; Oil Burner Installer $60 initial and $60 renewal·Applications must reach the Division of Fire Safety two weeks before the licensing board meeting at which they are reviewed.

   Type-S specialist licence $115 per specialty field (3-year licence); Gas Certification $60 initial and $60 renewal; Oil Burner Installer $60 initial and $60 renewal

   Applications must reach the Division of Fire Safety two weeks before the licensing board meeting at which they are reviewed.

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 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

3. Burlington Mechanical Permit (per project)

   A mechanical permit must be obtained from the City of Burlington's Trades Division (Department of Permitting & Inspections) for each HVAC installation or major repair, applied for through the City's OpenGov permitting system; inspections are required upon completion. Zoning approval always comes first where a zoning permit is also needed. There is no Chittenden County building department — Vermont counties have no permitting function.

   Official government source

   $30 for any project up to $2,858 of construction cost; above that, $8.50 per $1,000 of construction cost plus a $15 recording fee. An additional $10 applies if the project requires a Building Certificate of Occupancy.·The City does not publish a processing time; contact the Trades Division at 802-863-9094.

   $30 for any project up to $2,858 of construction cost; above that, $8.50 per $1,000 of construction cost plus a $15 recording fee. An additional $10 applies if the project requires a Building Certificate of Occupancy.

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

Official Sources

• Vermont Department of Public Safety — HVAC Mechanical Contractor License
• City of Burlington City Clerk

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