How to Start a Landscaping Business in Virginia (2026)

Last updated: February 25, 2026

Starting a landscaping business in Virginia has a relatively low barrier to entry for basic services like mowing, mulching, and garden maintenance. There’s no state landscaping license required for general work. However, if you plan to apply any herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers, you’ll need certification from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) and a pesticide business license. Virginia also requires workers’ compensation at three or more employees – particularly important in landscaping where injury rates are higher than average. This guide covers every requirement from official Virginia sources.

Landscaping Business Requirements in Virginia at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
LLC Formation	VA State Corporation Commission	$100	1-2 business days
Commercial Pesticide Applicator Cert	VDACS Office of Pesticide Services	$25	After passing exam
Pesticide Business License	VDACS Office of Pesticide Services	$75/year	Before applying pesticides
Registered Technician Cert (employees)	VDACS Office of Pesticide Services	$25 per person	After 40 hours training
Local Business License (BPOL)	City/County Commissioner of Revenue	Varies by locality	Before starting operations
Sales Tax Registration	VA Department of Taxation	Free	Before first taxable sale
Workers’ Compensation Insurance	Private Carrier	Varies by payroll	Before hiring 3rd employee
General Liability Insurance	Private Carrier	~$40-$100/month	Before starting operations
Commercial Auto Insurance	Private Carrier	~$100-$250/month	Before operating vehicles
Federal EIN	IRS	Free	Immediate (online)

How to Start a Landscaping Business in Virginia (Step by Step)

Step 1: Form Your Business Entity

Register an LLC with the Virginia SCC ($100). Apply for a free federal EIN from the IRS. Get a local business license (BPOL) from your city or county.

Step 2: Get Pesticide Certification (If Applying Chemicals)

If your landscaping business applies any herbicides, pesticides, insecticides, or regulated fertilizers, you must be certified through the VDACS Office of Pesticide Services.

Commercial Applicator Certification:

Pass the Core exam (general pesticide knowledge)
Pass category-specific exams:
- Category 3A (Ornamental Pest Control): Trees, shrubs, flowers
- Category 3B (Turf): Lawns, sports fields, golf courses
Initial certification fee: $25 (reduced from $100 as of January 2025)
Adding a category: $25 per additional category
Renewal: Free – certificates are renewed automatically if recertification requirements are met

Study materials include the Virginia Core Manual: Applying Pesticides Correctly and category-specific study guides available through Virginia Tech.

Step 3: Get a Pesticide Business License

Any business that applies pesticides for compensation in Virginia must hold a pesticide business license from VDACS.

Annual fee: $75 (reduced from $150 as of January 2025)
A separate license is required for each business location
The business must employ at least one certified commercial applicator

Step 4: Get Insurance Coverage

General liability insurance: $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate. Covers property damage, bodily injury, and chemical drift claims.
Commercial auto insurance: For trucks, trailers, and any vehicles used in the business
Workers’ compensation: Required once you have 3+ employees. Landscaping is a higher-risk trade – rates reflect this.
Inland marine insurance: Covers mowers, trimmers, blowers, and other equipment in transit
Pollution liability: Recommended if applying chemicals – covers environmental contamination claims

Step 5: Register for Taxes

Register for sales tax with the Virginia Department of Taxation. Landscaping services (mowing, pruning, planting) are generally taxable in Virginia at the combined rate of 5.3%-7%.

If hiring employees, register with the VEC for unemployment tax and the Department of Taxation for withholding. Report new hires within 20 days.

Step 6: Certify Your Employees

Employees who apply pesticides must either:

Be certified as a registered technician through VDACS ($25 fee, requires 40 hours of training – 20 hours hands-on + 20 hours book study), OR
Work under the direct supervision of a certified commercial applicator

Cost to Start a Landscaping Business in Virginia

Item	Cost	Notes
LLC Articles of Organization	$100	One-time SCC filing fee
Federal EIN	Free	IRS, immediate online
Commercial applicator certification	$25	VDACS (if applying chemicals)
Pesticide business license	$75/year	VDACS (if applying chemicals)
Local business license (BPOL)	$50-$500	Varies by locality
General liability insurance	$500-$1,200/year	$1M/$2M coverage
Commercial auto insurance	$1,200-$3,000/year	Truck + trailer
Workers’ comp insurance	Varies by payroll	Required at 3+ employees; higher rates for landscaping
Equipment (basic startup)	$3,000-$15,000	Mower, trimmer, blower, trailer
Truck/vehicle	$10,000-$35,000	Used pickup truck
SCC Annual Registration Fee	$50/year	Due in anniversary month

Estimated total startup cost: $15,000-$55,000 (vehicle and equipment are the largest expenses; licensing and certification total under $300 if applying chemicals, under $200 if not)

Related Virginia Business Guides

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license to start a landscaping business in Virginia?

There is no state landscaping license required for general landscaping services (mowing, mulching, planting, pruning). However, if you apply any herbicides, pesticides, or regulated chemicals, you must be a certified commercial applicator through VDACS ($25) and hold a pesticide business license ($75/year). You’ll also need a local business license (BPOL).

Do I need a pesticide license to apply weed killer in Virginia?

Yes. If you apply weed killers, herbicides, or any pesticides for compensation, you must hold a VDACS commercial applicator certification in the appropriate category (3A for ornamental, 3B for turf). Your business must also hold a pesticide business license. Employees who apply chemicals must be certified as registered technicians or work under a certified applicator.

Are landscaping services taxable in Virginia?

Yes. Landscaping services including mowing, pruning, planting, and lawn maintenance are subject to Virginia sales tax at the combined rate of 5.3%-7% depending on your locality. Register with the Department of Taxation for a Certificate of Registration before starting.

Do I need workers’ compensation for my landscaping business?

Workers’ comp is required once you have three or more employees. Landscaping carries higher injury risk than many industries, so workers’ comp rates are higher. Subcontractors in the same trade count toward your employee total. Coverage is strongly recommended even below the threshold.

How much does it cost to start a landscaping business in Virginia?

A basic startup runs $15,000-$55,000 including a vehicle ($10,000-$35,000), equipment ($3,000-$15,000), insurance ($1,700-$4,200/year), and licensing (under $300). You can start smaller with existing equipment and scale up as revenue grows.

What pesticide categories do landscapers need in Virginia?

Most landscapers need Category 3A (Ornamental Pest Control) for trees, shrubs, and flowers, and Category 3B (Turf) for lawns and turf areas. You must pass the Core exam plus each category exam. Study materials are available from Virginia Tech and the VDACS website.

More Virginia Business Guides

About the Author

Robert Smith has run a licensed private investigation firm for 8 years from the Florida-Georgia state line - where he learned firsthand how wildly business licensing rules differ between states just miles apart. He personally researched requirements across all 50 states and D.C., reviewing hundreds of government sources over hundreds of hours to build guides he wished existed when he started. Not a lawyer or accountant - just a business owner who has done the research so you don't have to.

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