How to Start a Landscaping Business in Georgia (2026)

Last updated: August 23, 2026

Georgia is a strong market for landscaping businesses. A long growing season, steady residential and commercial development across metro Atlanta and beyond, and no state license requirement for basic lawn maintenance make it relatively easy to get started. You can legally mow, trim, mulch, and blow without any special license from the state.

But don’t let that simplicity fool you. Georgia has specific requirements that trip up new landscapers, especially the Commercial Pesticide Applicator license if you spray anything for a fee and the E-Verify mandate once you hit 10 employees. This guide covers every requirement, cost, and step to legally start and operate a landscaping business in Georgia.

Landscaping Business Requirements in Georgia at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
LLC Formation (Articles of Organization)	GA Secretary of State	$100	Same day (online)
Federal EIN	IRS	Free	Immediate (online)
Commercial Pesticide Applicator License	GA Dept. of Agriculture	~$85-$95 (study materials + exam fees)	2-4 weeks
Live Plant Dealers/Growers License	GA Dept. of Agriculture	Varies	If selling/transporting live plants
County Occupation Tax Certificate	County government	$50-$400	1-2 weeks
General Liability Insurance	Commercial insurer	$500-$2,000/year	Same day
Commercial Auto Insurance	Commercial insurer	$1,200-$3,000/year	Same day
Equipment / Inland Marine Insurance	Commercial insurer	$500-$1,500/year	Same day
Workers’ Comp Insurance (3+ employees)	Commercial insurer	Varies by payroll	Same day
Annual LLC Registration	GA Secretary of State	$60/year	Due April 1
Low Voltage Electrician’s License (irrigation)	GA Secretary of State	Varies	Written exam required
State Landscaping License (general maintenance)	N/A	Not required	–

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

Step 1: Form Your Georgia LLC

File your Articles of Organization online through the Georgia Corporations Division. Total cost: $100 (online filing). Processing is typically same-day when filed online.

Your LLC name must include “LLC,” “L.L.C.,” or “Limited Liability Company” and must be distinguishable from existing entities on file with the Secretary of State. You’ll need a registered agent with a physical street address in Georgia.

If you want to operate under a name different from your LLC name (e.g., “Peach State Lawn Care” instead of “Peach State Lawn Care LLC”), file a Trade Name Registration with the county clerk of superior court where your business is located.

Annual Registration: Georgia LLCs must file an Annual Registration with the Secretary of State by April 1 each year. Cost: $60. Failure to file can lead to administrative dissolution.

Step 2: Get Your Federal EIN

Apply for a free Employer Identification Number at IRS.gov. You’ll receive it immediately when applying online. You need this to open a business bank account, file taxes, and hire employees.

Step 3: Get Your Commercial Pesticide Applicator License (If Applying Pesticides)

General landscaping work (mowing, trimming, planting, mulching) does not require a state license in Georgia. However, if you apply any pesticide, herbicide, or insecticide for a fee, you must hold a Commercial Pesticide Applicator license from the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

Category 24: Ornamental and Turf is the most common category for landscapers. To get licensed:

1. Purchase study materials:
   • General Standards book: $35
   • Ornamental and Turf (Category 24) book: $35
   • Study guides: $15-$25
2. Register for exams at gapestexam.com
3. Pass two exams: General Standards exam + Category 24 exam
4. Apply for your license through the GA Department of Agriculture

Georgia Department of Agriculture Pesticide Division: 404-651-9486

Note: Even applying pre-emergent weed control or fire ant treatments for a customer counts as commercial pesticide application and requires this license. Don’t skip it.

Step 4: Get Your County Occupation Tax Certificate

Georgia does not issue a single statewide business license. Instead, you need an Occupation Tax Certificate (commonly called a business license) from each county and/or city where you operate.

• Cost: $50-$400 depending on your county and municipality
• Home-based: Most counties allow home-based landscaping businesses, though some have zoning restrictions on equipment storage
• Multiple jurisdictions: If you work across multiple counties, check whether each requires its own certificate
• Renewal: Annual

Contact your county’s business licensing office to confirm requirements. Some cities within metro Atlanta (like Roswell, Marietta, or Alpharetta) require their own occupation tax certificates in addition to the county’s.

Step 5: Get Insurance

General Liability Insurance

Covers property damage, bodily injury, and third-party claims. Most commercial and HOA clients will require proof of general liability insurance before hiring you.

• Cost: $500-$2,000/year
• Typical coverage: $1 million per occurrence / $2 million aggregate

Commercial Auto Insurance

Required for any vehicle used for business purposes. Personal auto policies do not cover commercial use. If you’re hauling equipment to job sites, you need commercial auto coverage.

• Cost: $1,200-$3,000/year depending on vehicle type and driving record

Equipment / Inland Marine Insurance

Covers your mowers, trimmers, blowers, and other equipment against theft, damage, and loss, including while on your trailer or at a job site.

• Cost: $500-$1,500/year depending on equipment value

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Georgia requires workers’ compensation insurance for businesses with 3 or more employees (including regular part-time workers). Officers and LLC members can elect to be excluded from coverage.

• Threshold: 3 or more employees
• NCCI code 9102 (lawn maintenance): approximately $2.50-$4.00 per $100 of payroll
• NCCI code 0042 (landscape installation): approximately $4.50-$7.00 per $100 of payroll
• Penalties: Operating without required workers’ comp in Georgia is a misdemeanor with fines up to $10,000 and personal liability for injuries

Step 6: Vehicle and Trailer Requirements

Most landscaping operations use a truck and trailer setup. Georgia vehicle requirements to know:

• CDL requirement: A Commercial Driver’s License is required if your vehicle plus trailer combined weight exceeds 10,000 lbs
• Trailer registration: Register trailers at your county tag office
• USDOT number: Required for commercial vehicles over 10,001 lbs GVWR operating in interstate commerce
• Vehicle lettering: Commercial vehicles should display business name and USDOT number if applicable

Tip: A typical landscaping setup (half-ton truck + loaded 6×12 open trailer) can easily approach the 10,000 lb threshold. Weigh your loaded rig at a truck scale to know where you stand before getting caught without the proper license.

Step 7: Set Up Employer Compliance (If Hiring)

If you plan to hire employees, Georgia has several requirements beyond workers’ compensation:

• Georgia withholding tax: Register with the Georgia Department of Revenue for state income tax withholding
• New hire reporting: Report all new hires within 10 days at ga-newhire.com
• E-Verify: Required for employers with 10 or more employees in Georgia. All private employers with 10+ employees must use E-Verify to confirm work authorization for new hires
• Georgia unemployment tax (DOL): Register with the Georgia Department of Labor. New employer rate is approximately 2.7% on the first $9,500 of wages per employee
• Form I-9: Required for every employee regardless of business size

Step 8: Additional Licenses for Specialty Services

Basic mowing, trimming, and mulching require no state license. But if you expand into specialty services, additional licensing applies:

• Live Plant Dealers/Growers License: Required if you sell or transport live plants for resale. Issued by the GA Department of Agriculture
• Low Voltage Electrician’s License: Required for irrigation system installation and repair. Issued by the GA Secretary of State after passing a written exam
• Registered Landscape Architect: Required if you design landscapes for compensation. Licensed through the GA Secretary of State
• Contractor’s License: Hardscape work (retaining walls, patios, outdoor kitchens) may require building permits and a contractor’s license depending on scope and jurisdiction

Georgia-Specific Regulations for Landscapers

Stormwater and Erosion Control

If your landscaping project involves land disturbance of 1 acre or more, you must obtain an NPDES stormwater permit from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD). This applies to large installation projects, grading, and land clearing.

Georgia also requires compliance with erosion and sediment control regulations on construction and land-disturbing activities. Many counties require a land disturbance permit even for smaller projects. Familiarize yourself with your county’s soil erosion ordinance before taking on installation work.

Sales Tax Rules for Landscapers

Georgia’s sales tax rules for landscaping services are favorable for maintenance businesses:

• Landscaping maintenance labor (mowing, trimming, blowing, mulching): NOT subject to sales tax
• Materials installed as part of a landscaping contract: May be taxable. When you purchase and install materials (plants, sod, mulch, stone), you may owe sales tax on the materials portion
• Retail sales of plants or materials without installation: Taxable at the state rate of 4% plus applicable local option sales tax (total typically 7-8%)

If you sell materials at retail or collect sales tax, register with the Georgia Department of Revenue.

Tree Ordinances

Many Georgia counties and cities have tree protection ordinances, particularly in metro Atlanta. Tree removal often requires a permit, especially for trees above a certain diameter (commonly 6 inches DBH or larger). Fines for unpermitted tree removal can be significant. Always check local ordinances before removing trees on a client’s property.

Industry Resources

The Urban Ag Council is Georgia’s primary industry association for landscaping and green industry professionals. They offer training, certification programs, networking, and legislative advocacy. Membership is worthwhile for staying current on Georgia regulations and connecting with suppliers.

Cost to Start a Landscaping Business in Georgia

Solo Basic Lawn Care ($18,000-$32,000)

Item	Cost	Notes
LLC Formation (online)	$100	One-time, GA Secretary of State
Annual LLC Registration	$60/year	Due April 1
Federal EIN	Free	Online at IRS.gov
County Occupation Tax Certificate	$50-$400	Annual renewal
General Liability Insurance	$500-$2,000/year	Strongly recommended
Commercial Auto Insurance	$1,200-$3,000/year	Required for business vehicles
Equipment / Inland Marine Insurance	$500-$1,500/year	Covers mowers, trimmers, etc.
Truck (used)	$8,000-$15,000	Half-ton or 3/4-ton pickup
Trailer + Registration	$1,500-$4,000	Open landscape trailer
Mowers, Trimmers, Blowers	$3,000-$8,000	Commercial grade
Marketing / Website / Cards	$300-$1,500	Optional at start
Estimated total: $18,000-$32,000

Solo Full-Service Landscaping ($28,000-$48,000)

Item	Cost	Notes
All items above	$18,000-$32,000	Base setup
Commercial Pesticide Applicator License	~$85-$95	Study materials + exam fees
Additional Equipment (edgers, hedge trimmers, spreaders)	$2,000-$5,000	Commercial grade
Plant/Material Inventory	$1,000-$3,000	Initial stock
Enhanced Marketing / Branding	$500-$2,000	Professional presence
Estimated total: $28,000-$48,000

Small Crew Operation – 3+ Employees ($50,000-$80,000)

Item	Cost	Notes
All solo full-service items	$28,000-$48,000	Base setup
Workers’ Comp Insurance	$2,000-$6,000/year	Required at 3 employees
Additional Equipment (second mower set)	$3,000-$6,000	Crew efficiency
Payroll Setup / Accounting	$500-$1,500/year	Software or service
Uniforms / Safety Gear	$300-$800	Per crew member
Larger Trailer or Second Vehicle	$3,000-$10,000	If running multiple crews
E-Verify Compliance (10+ employees)	Free	Required at 10 employees
Estimated total: $50,000-$80,000

Mid-Size Operation ($80,000-$150,000+)

Once you’re running multiple crews, expect to invest $80,000-$150,000+ including additional trucks and trailers, commercial-grade zero-turn mowers, skid steers or mini excavators for installation work, a dedicated office or yard space, fleet management and GPS tracking, CDL training for drivers if needed, and comprehensive insurance across all vehicles and employees.

Related Georgia Business Guides

• Starting a Business in Georgia: Complete Guide

← Back to all Georgia business guides

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Georgia does not require a state license for general landscaping maintenance work like mowing, trimming, planting, and mulching. However, if you apply any pesticide for a fee, you need a Commercial Pesticide Applicator license from the Georgia Department of Agriculture. Category 24 (Ornamental and Turf) is the most common category for landscapers. You must pass the General Standards exam and the Category 24 exam. Irrigation work requires a separate Low Voltage Electrician’s License from the GA Secretary of State.

How do I get a pesticide license for landscaping in Georgia?

Purchase the General Standards book ($35) and Ornamental and Turf Category 24 book ($35) plus study guides ($15-$25). Register for exams at gapestexam.com. You must pass both the General Standards exam and the Category 24 exam. Contact the GA Department of Agriculture Pesticide Division at 404-651-9486 with questions about the licensing process.

Do I need E-Verify for my Georgia landscaping business?

Yes, once you reach 10 employees. Georgia law requires all private employers with 10 or more employees to use E-Verify to confirm the work authorization status of new hires. Smaller operations are exempt from E-Verify, but all employers must complete Form I-9 for every employee regardless of size.

Is landscaping maintenance subject to sales tax in Georgia?

Landscaping maintenance labor is not subject to sales tax in Georgia. Mowing, trimming, blowing, and similar maintenance services are not taxed. However, materials you install as part of a landscaping project may be taxable, and retail sales of plants or materials without installation are taxable at the state rate of 4% plus applicable local sales tax (typically 7-8% total).

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

A solo basic lawn care operation typically costs $18,000-$32,000 including truck, trailer, equipment, insurance, and LLC formation. Solo full-service landscaping runs $28,000-$48,000 with additional equipment and pesticide licensing. A small crew operation (3+ employees) costs $50,000-$80,000 due to additional equipment, workers’ comp, and payroll setup.

When is workers’ compensation required for Georgia landscapers?

Georgia requires workers’ compensation insurance for businesses with 3 or more employees, including regular part-time workers. Officers and LLC members can elect to be excluded from coverage. Operating without required workers’ comp is a misdemeanor in Georgia with fines up to $10,000 and personal liability for employee injuries. Even if you have fewer than 3 employees, carrying workers’ comp voluntarily can protect you from lawsuits.