Guides · Paperwork and licenses
Do you need a landscaping license in Florida?
Mowing, trimming, and basic yard maintenance need no state license in Florida. What does need its own certification is everything the business adds over time: spraying, fertilizing, or installing irrigation.
Updated 2026-08-22
The only thing required to start
The county or city Local Business Tax Receipt is the only thing you need to mow lawns and do basic maintenance. It's issued online and runs $45 to $200 a year depending on the county.
Where certification actually kicks in
If the service includes applying restricted-use pesticides or herbicides, you need a Commercial Pesticide Applicator License or a Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance Certification, both from the Florida Department of Agriculture (FDACS).
Applying fertilizer commercially requires the GI-BMP certification (Green Industries Best Management Practices), mandatory statewide.
Installing or repairing irrigation systems needs a DBPR irrigation contractor license, separate from everything above.
If the business grows into large-scale landscape design, that piece falls under the separate Landscape Architect license, regulated by its own board.
Insurance comes before the license matters
The moment you hire your first employee, workers' compensation insurance becomes mandatory, especially if the work includes tree trimming, pest control, or irrigation, which Florida classifies as specialty construction.
doubts
What people usually ask
Can I mow lawns with no license at all?
Yes, the county or city permit is enough for basic maintenance. No state license is required for that.
What if I only apply fertilizer occasionally?
If you do it as part of the business and charge for it, the GI-BMP certification is mandatory regardless of volume.
Is the pesticide certification hard to get?
It's an FDACS exam by category, not a long course. It's worth getting early if you plan to offer spraying, since it opens up work that a mow-only crew can't take. Sources: [FDACS](https://www.fdacs.gov/), [ContractorRequirements](https://contractorrequirements.com/landscaper/florida/).