Plumbing 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)

1. Vermont Division of Fire Safety — Master Plumber License

   Plumbing contractors in Vermont hold a Master Plumber licence issued by the Department of Public Safety's Division of Fire Safety under 26 V.S.A. chapter 39 — not by any 'Department of Labor and Industry,' which does not exist in Vermont (the Department of Labor handles unemployment and workforce programmes, not trade licensing). Licensure requires documented apprenticeship and journeyman experience, passing the state examination before the Plumbers Examining Board, and completing the Vermont Energy Goals education module. Applications must be signed and notarised.

   Official government source

   $120 Master application fee; $90 Journeyman; $50 per specialty field for limited (Type S) licensure·Applications must reach the Division of Fire Safety two weeks before the board meeting at which they are reviewed, or they go on a later agenda.

   $120 Master application fee; $90 Journeyman; $50 per specialty field for limited (Type S) licensure

   Applications must reach the Division of Fire Safety two weeks before the board meeting at which they are reviewed, or they go on a later agenda.

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 Plumbing Permit (per project)

   A plumbing permit must be pulled from the City of Burlington's Trades Division (Department of Permitting & Inspections) for each job; Burlington Code of Ordinances chapter 25 adopts the 2025 Vermont Plumbing Rules, which the Trades Division enforces, and an inspection is required on completion. Applications go through the City's OpenGov permitting portal, usually together with the zoning permit. There is no Chittenden County building or plumbing 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.

   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.

Official Sources

• Vermont Department of Labor and Industry — Master Plumber License
• City of Burlington City Clerk

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