Landscaping Business Permit Requirements in Burlington, VT

Complete permit and license guide for starting a landscaping business in Burlington, Chittenden County, Vermont.

Verified 2026-09-07 5 stops $200–$700 est. 2–6 weeks to obtain all licenses
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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 Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification

    If you apply pesticides or herbicides as part of landscaping services in Vermont, you must be certified as a commercial applicator by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. You must pass the Core exam plus at least one category exam, then pay licence and certification fees. Licences expire December 31 each year and must be renewed annually; the certification itself lasts five years provided the licence is kept current, with continuing education credits required within that period. A landscaping business that employs applicators also pays a separate annual commercial pesticide company fee.

    Official government source

    $25 per in-person exam or $60 per online exam (paid to Everblue), plus $30 per category per year with a maximum of $120 per applicator per year; commercial pesticide companies pay an additional $75 per yearAllow up to two weeks for the licence to arrive by mail after fees are paid; a PDF copy is available in your online account.

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. No Local Landscaping Contractor Registration (Burlington)

    Neither Chittenden County nor the City of Burlington registers landscaping contractors — Vermont counties operate no regulatory departments, and Burlington's Department of Permitting & Inspections runs no contractor registration programme (only a general 'Hiring a Contractor' resource). The only Vermont registration that can apply is the state residential contractor registration with the Office of Professional Regulation, required when a job contracted directly with a homeowner is valued at $10,000 or more. Specific project work such as irrigation tie-ins or landscape lighting can still trigger a standard city plumbing or electrical permit.

    Official government source

    $0 — no local registration exists (state residential contractor registration, if triggered, is $75 individual / $250 business)N/A — no local application to file

Terminus

Open for business — est. $200–$700 · 2–6 weeks to obtain all licenses

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