How to Start a Landscaping Business in Maine (2026)

Last updated: February 26, 2026

Starting a landscaping business in Maine requires no general state license for basic lawn care and planting work. However, applying pesticides requires a commercial applicator license from the Maine Board of Pesticides Control (BPC), and performing arborist services (tree pruning, removal) for hire requires an arborist license from Maine DACF. Maine also requires workers’ compensation from the very first employee. This guide covers every requirement using official 2026 sources.

Landscaping Requirements in Maine at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
General Landscaping License	N/A	Not required	N/A
Commercial Pesticide Applicator – Master (individual)	Maine Board of Pesticides Control (DACF)	$105 + exam fees ($10-$40)	2-4 weeks after passing exams
Commercial Pesticide Applicator Firm License	Maine Board of Pesticides Control (DACF)	$300	Requires licensed Master on staff
Arborist License (if providing tree services)	Maine DACF – Arborist Program	Varies; insurance proof required	2-4 weeks after application
LLC Formation	Maine Secretary of State	$175	5-10 business days (mail)
Annual Report	Maine Secretary of State	$85/year	Due June 1 each year
Workers’ Compensation	Licensed private insurer	Varies by payroll	Required before 1st employee
General Liability Insurance	Private insurer (required for arborist license)	$800-$2,500/year	Before applying for arborist license

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

Step 1: Form Your Business Entity

Mail a Certificate of Formation to the Maine Secretary of State with a $175 filing fee to form an LLC. Maine does not offer online LLC formation. Processing takes 5-10 business days. Annual report: $85, due June 1. If operating as a sole proprietor under a business name, register a DBA with your local municipal clerk.

Step 2: Determine Which Licenses Apply to Your Services

Maine’s licensing requirements for landscaping depend on what services you offer:

Basic landscaping (mowing, planting, mulching, edging, snow removal): No state license required.
Pesticide application (weed control, insecticide spraying, fertilizer application with pesticide products): Commercial Applicator license required from the Maine Board of Pesticides Control.
Tree services (pruning, removal, stump grinding for hire): Maine arborist license required from Maine DACF.
Irrigation systems: Check with local municipalities; some plumbing work may require a licensed plumber for backflow prevention devices.

Step 3: Get a Commercial Pesticide Applicator License (If Needed)

The Maine Board of Pesticides Control (BPC) licenses pesticide applicators under the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF). For landscaping companies applying pesticides to lawns, gardens, and ornamental plantings, you need:

Individual Licenses:

Commercial Applicator – Operator: Pass the Core exam + relevant Category exams (typically “Turf” and/or “Outdoor Ornamentals”). Works under a licensed Master. Fee: $105. Exam fees: $10/exam.
Commercial Applicator – Master: Pass Core + Category + Regulations exams + a Master oral exam. Can operate independently and supervise Operators. Fee: $105. Exam fees: $10/written exam + $40 oral exam.

Firm License (Business):

Any business entity applying pesticides must also hold a Firm License: $300
Requires proof of insurance and at least one licensed Master Applicator on staff
All licenses have a 3-year renewal cycle (expire December 31)
Master: 9 CE credits per 3-year cycle; Operator: 6 CE credits per 3-year cycle

Maine Board of Pesticides Control: maine.gov/dacf/php/pesticides/applicators/licensing.html. Phone: (207) 287-2731.

Step 4: Get an Arborist License (If Providing Tree Services)

If you offer tree pruning, tree removal, stump grinding, or other arborist services for hire in Maine, you need a Maine DACF arborist license:

Pass the written arborist exam (landscape and/or utility categories)
Provide proof of adequate liability insurance: minimum $150,000 per occurrence / $300,000 general aggregate
Submit application to Maine DACF Arborist Program

Reciprocity: ISA-certified arborists and arborists licensed in other states may apply for a Maine license without retaking the exam. Contact the DACF arborist program to request reciprocity.

Apprentice permit: If you are training under a licensed arborist, you can obtain an apprentice permit that allows you to work under supervision while pursuing full licensure.

Maine DACF Arborist Program: maine.gov/dacf/php/arborist/licensing.shtml. Phone: (207) 287-4515.

Step 5: Get Insurance

Insurance requirements for Maine landscapers:

Arborist License Requirement: Minimum $150,000 per occurrence / $300,000 aggregate general liability – mandatory to obtain and maintain the arborist license
Pesticide Firm License: Proof of insurance required
General Liability (all landscapers): $1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate recommended – required by most commercial property clients
Workers’ Compensation: Required from your first employee (Maine requires coverage at 1+ employees)
Commercial Auto: Required for trucks, trailers, and equipment hauling

Step 6: Register for Taxes

Landscaping Services: May be subject to Maine’s 6% Service Provider Tax for certain services. Consult MRS for your specific service mix.
Material Sales: Plants, mulch, topsoil, and other materials you sell to clients are subject to Maine’s 5.5% sales tax
Pesticide products: Sold to clients may be taxable; verify with MRS

Register with the Maine Department of Labor for unemployment insurance when you hire employees. New employer rate: 2.54% on first $12,000/employee (2026). Report new hires within 7 days at portal.maine.gov/newhire.

Step 7: Check for Local Requirements

Maine has no general statewide business license for landscapers, but many municipalities require a local business license. If you store pesticides or use commercial spray equipment from a home base, check local zoning rules. Contact your city or town clerk for local licensing requirements.

Cost to Start a Landscaping Business in Maine

Item	Cost	Notes
LLC Formation	$175	One-time; mailed to Secretary of State
Annual Report (first year)	$85	Due June 1 each year
Commercial Pesticide Applicator License (Master individual)	$105 + $10-$40 exam fees	3-year term; 9 CE credits per cycle
Commercial Pesticide Applicator Firm License	$300	Required for any business applying pesticides; 3-year term
Maine Arborist License	Exam + application fees	Required for tree services; insurance proof required ($150K/$300K)
General Liability Insurance	$800-$2,500/year	$1M per occurrence; arborists need $150K/$300K minimum
Workers’ Compensation	$600-$2,500/year per employee	Mandatory from first hire; landscaping is a higher-risk category
Commercial Auto Insurance	$1,200-$3,000/year	For trucks and equipment trailers
Equipment (mowers, trimmers, blowers)	$3,000-$20,000	New commercial-grade equipment; used is less
Trailer	$1,500-$5,000	For hauling equipment
Pesticide Sprayer Equipment	$500-$3,000	If offering pesticide services

Estimated total startup cost: $8,000 – $40,000+

Related Maine Business Guides

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

For basic landscaping (mowing, planting, mulching, edging), no state license is required. However, if you apply pesticides, you need a commercial pesticide applicator license from the Maine Board of Pesticides Control, plus a firm license ($300) for the business. If you provide tree services (pruning, removal), you need a Maine arborist license from DACF. All businesses need to register with the Secretary of State and comply with local requirements.

How do I get a pesticide applicator license in Maine?

You must pass written exams administered by the Maine Board of Pesticides Control: the Core exam, one or more Category exams (typically Turf and Outdoor Ornamentals for landscaping), and the Regulations exam. Master applicators also pass an oral exam. Individual license fee: $105. The business entity also needs a Firm License ($300). All licenses renew every 3 years with CE requirements.

Do Maine landscapers need an arborist license for tree work?

Yes – if you offer tree pruning, removal, or other arborist services for hire in Maine, you must hold a Maine DACF arborist license. The license requires passing a written exam and proof of liability insurance ($150,000/$300,000 minimum). ISA-certified arborists may qualify for reciprocal licensing without retaking the exam. Basic lawn care does not require this license.

What insurance does a Maine landscaper need?

General liability insurance ($1,000,000 per occurrence recommended) is essential – required by most commercial property clients and municipal contracts. If you hold an arborist license, minimum coverage is $150,000 per occurrence / $300,000 aggregate. Workers’ compensation is mandatory from your first employee (Maine requires coverage at 1+ employees). Commercial auto insurance is required for company vehicles hauling equipment.

Is Maine’s workers’ comp threshold really 1 employee?

Yes. Maine requires workers’ compensation coverage for any business with 1 or more employees – one of the strictest thresholds in the country. This means as soon as you hire your first worker (even part-time), you must have workers’ comp in place. Limited exemptions exist for certain agricultural workers, but standard landscaping employees do not qualify for any exemption.

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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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