How to Start a Landscaping Business in Nevada (2026)

Last updated: February 25, 2026

Starting a landscaping business in Nevada involves unique considerations driven by the desert environment: water conservation is a major focus (especially in Southern Nevada), heat-tolerant plant selection is essential, and irrigation system work is in high demand. If your work is valued at $1,000 or more or requires a building permit, you need a C-10 Landscape Contracting license from the Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB). Basic lawn maintenance and weed removal under the $1,000 threshold does not require a contractor license, though you still need Nevada’s mandatory State Business License and local permits. If you apply pesticides or herbicides, a Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) Pesticide Applicator Certification is required.

Las Vegas is one of the most water-conscious markets in the country – the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) actively offers rebates and incentive programs for turf removal and desert landscaping, creating a significant market opportunity for xeriscaping specialists.

Landscaping Business Requirements in Nevada at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
LLC Formation (3 filings)	Nevada Secretary of State	$425 total	1-3 business days
C-10 Contractor License (if work $1,000+)	Nevada State Contractors Board	$300 app + $600 biennial license	6-12 weeks
B&L + C-10 Trade Exams (PSI)	PSI Testing Services	$140 combined	Schedule at convenience
Contractor Bond	NSCB-determined, surety company	Premium varies by bond amount	Before license issued
Pesticide Applicator Cert (if applying pesticides)	Nevada Department of Agriculture	$75 core + $25/category exam	After passing exams
Pesticide Cert Annual Renewal	Nevada Department of Agriculture	$100/year	Annual
Local Business License	City/County Clerk	Varies ($100-$300)	1-2 weeks
General Liability Insurance	Private Carrier	$1,500-$4,000/year	Before operations
Workers’ Comp Insurance	Private Carrier	Varies by payroll	At first employee
Federal EIN	IRS	Free	Immediate (online)

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

Step 1: Form Your Business Entity

Register an LLC through SilverFlume. Three simultaneous filings are required: Articles of Organization ($75), State Business License ($200), and Initial List of Managers ($150) – total $425. Annual renewal: $350/year. Nevada’s no income tax policy benefits landscaping business owners significantly.

Step 2: Determine if You Need a C-10 Contractor License

Nevada’s contractor licensing threshold is relatively low:

Work Type	C-10 License Required?
Any job valued at $1,000 or more (labor + materials)	Yes
Any work requiring a building permit	Yes
Basic lawn mowing and maintenance under $1,000/job	No (but check local requirements)
Weed removal, edging, basic cleanup under $1,000/job	No

C-10 Landscape Contracting scope includes: Grading, planting, drainage systems, irrigation system installation, landscape materials, erosion control, vegetation management, non-load-bearing walkways and steps, retaining walls up to 3 feet, and low-voltage landscape lighting (under 24V).

If you plan to do irrigation system installation, hardscaping, or any project valued at $1,000+, you need the C-10 license.

Step 3: Meet Experience Requirements and Pass NSCB Exams (C-10 License)

To qualify for the C-10 license from the Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB):

• Experience required: 4 years of landscape contracting experience within the past 10 years
• Qualifying experience: Journeyman, foreman, supervisor, or contractor-level work in landscape contracting

After meeting the experience requirement, pass two PSI exams:

Exam	Content	Fee
Business & Law (B&L)	Nevada contractor law, business practices, employment law, safety	$140 combined
C-10 Trade Exam	Landscape contracting principles, plant knowledge, irrigation, grading, codes

Step 4: Apply for Your C-10 License

Submit your application to NSCB:

• Application fee: $300
• Financial statement (self-prepared for low monetary limits; CPA-compiled or audited for higher limits)
• Exam score documentation
• Experience verification
• Contractor bond: Amount set by NSCB based on monetary limit and financial assessment; obtain from a Nevada-licensed surety company
• Biennial license fee: $600 (upon approval; renews every 2 years)

NSCB offices: Las Vegas (702) 486-1100 | Reno (775) 688-1141

Step 5: Get Pesticide Applicator Certification (if Applying Pesticides)

If your landscaping business will apply any pesticides, herbicides, or other restricted-use or general-use chemicals to clients’ properties, you need a Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification from the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA):

Item	Cost
General Core Exam (Laws & Regulations)	$75
Category Exam (Ornamental & Turf for landscaping)	$25 each
Annual Certification Renewal	$100/year
Certification Validity	4 years
CE Requirement	12 CEUs per 4-year period (including 2 in laws/regulations)

Most landscaping businesses need the Ornamental and Turf category certification. Contact NDA’s Environmental Scientist division at (775) 353-3717 for exam scheduling and study materials.

Insurance requirement when applying pesticides: Pesticide applicators must carry minimum $400,000 general liability insurance or post a $100,000 surety bond (per NDA requirement).

Step 6: Get Local Business License and Insurance

Obtain a local business license from your city or county. In Las Vegas and Clark County, check requirements with the Clark County Business License Division and, if operating within city limits, the City of Las Vegas.

Insurance for Nevada landscaping businesses:

• General liability: $1 million per occurrence / $2 million aggregate recommended ($1,500-$4,000/year). Required at $400K minimum if holding pesticide certification.
• Commercial auto: Required for work trucks and trailers ($2,000-$4,000/year)
• Workers’ comp: Mandatory at 1 employee in Nevada. Purchase from a private carrier – Nevada has no state fund.
• Tools & equipment: Inland marine coverage for mowers, trimmers, and other equipment ($300-$800/year)

Cost to Start a Landscaping Business in Nevada

Item	Cost	Notes
LLC Formation (3 filings)	$425	One-time; SilverFlume
Annual State Renewals	$350/year	Annual List + Business License
C-10 Application Fee (if needed)	$300	One-time; NSCB
PSI Exams (B&L + C-10)	$140	One-time; required for C-10
C-10 Biennial License Fee	$600	Every 2 years
Contractor Bond Premium	$100-$1,000/year	NSCB-determined amount
NDA Pesticide Certification Exams	$75-$125	Core + category exams
NDA Pesticide Cert Annual Renewal	$100/year	Annual
Local Business License	$100-$300	Varies by city/county
General Liability Insurance	$1,500-$4,000/year	$1M per occurrence; $400K minimum for pesticide cert
Commercial Auto Insurance	$2,000-$4,000/year	For truck and trailer
Landscaping Equipment	$3,000-$15,000	Mower, trimmer, edger, blower, irrigation tools
Work Truck / Trailer	$5,000-$25,000	Used truck + trailer setup
Federal EIN	Free	Apply at IRS.gov

Estimated startup cost (basic maintenance, no C-10): $8,000-$25,000
Estimated startup cost (full landscape contractor with C-10): $15,000-$55,000

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• How to Start a Daycare in Nevada
• How to Start an HVAC Business in Nevada
• How to Start a Hair Salon in Nevada
• How to Start a Private Investigation Business in Nevada

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

A C-10 Landscape Contracting license from the Nevada State Contractors Board is required if any job is valued at $1,000 or more (labor + materials) or requires a building permit. Basic lawn mowing and maintenance under the $1,000 threshold per job does not require a contractor license, though you still need the mandatory State Business License ($200/year) and a local business license.

Do I need a pesticide license for landscaping in Nevada?

Yes, if you apply any pesticides, herbicides, or restricted-use chemicals to client properties. You must obtain a Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification from the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA). The General core exam costs $75 and the Ornamental & Turf category exam costs $25. Annual renewal is $100. You must also carry minimum $400,000 liability insurance when applying pesticides.

What contractor license do I need for landscaping in Nevada?

The C-10 Landscape Contracting classification from the Nevada State Contractors Board covers landscape installation, grading, planting, irrigation systems, erosion control, retaining walls up to 3 feet, low-voltage lighting, and related work. Requirements: 4 years experience, Business & Law and C-10 trade exams ($140), NSCB application ($300), contractor bond, and biennial license fee ($600).

Is landscaping taxable in Nevada?

Landscaping labor services may or may not be subject to sales tax depending on the nature of the work. Pure landscape maintenance services are generally treated as services (exempt), but landscaping that involves installation of materials or goods can have taxable components. In Nevada, the sale of plants, materials, and supplies to clients is taxable. Consult the Nevada Department of Taxation for specifics related to your services.

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

A basic maintenance-only operation (no C-10 license) costs approximately $8,000-$25,000 to start. A full landscape contractor operation with a C-10 license costs $15,000-$55,000, including licensing ($900-$1,040), pesticide certification ($175+/year), insurance ($3,500-$8,000/year), equipment ($3,000-$15,000), and truck + trailer ($5,000-$25,000).