How to Start a Landscaping Business in New York (2026)

Last updated: February 25, 2026

Starting a landscaping business in New York doesn’t require a statewide general landscaping license, but that doesn’t mean it’s regulation-free. If you apply any weed killers, lawn treatments, or pest control products, you need a DEC Commercial Pesticide Applicator or Technician certification. In the NYC metro area (NYC, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Putnam, Rockland), you also need a Home Improvement Contractor license. Workers’ comp rates for landscaping are classified similarly to construction – meaning higher premiums than many other service businesses. This guide covers every requirement from official New York sources.

Landscaping Requirements in New York at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
LLC Formation	NY Department of State	$200	2-3 business days
LLC Publication Requirement	County Clerk + DOS	$250-$1,550+	Within 120 days
DEC Pesticide Applicator Certification	NYS DEC	$100 exam + $450 cert	3-year certification
Nursery Dealer Registration (if reselling plants)	Dept. of Agriculture & Markets	$100 per location	2-year registration
NYC HIC License (if working in NYC)	NYC DCWP	$100 + $50 exam + bond	Biennial
County HIC License (if applicable)	County Consumer Affairs	$200-$750	Varies by county
Certificate of Authority (Sales Tax)	Dept. of Taxation & Finance	Free	Register 20+ days before sales
Workers’ Comp / DBL / PFL	WCB / Carrier / NYSIF	$2.33-$7.63 per $100 payroll	Before hiring employees

How to Start a Landscaping Business in New York (Step by Step)

Step 1: Form Your Business Entity

Register an LLC with the New York Department of State ($200). Complete the publication requirement within 120 days ($250-$1,550+ depending on county). Apply for a free federal EIN from the IRS.

Step 2: Get DEC Pesticide Certification (If Applying Chemicals)

If you apply any pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers classified as pesticides, you must be certified by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).

Two Certification Levels

Level	Description	Requirements
Commercial Technician	Applies pesticides under a Certified Applicator’s supervision	Age 17+, plus: 30-hour training course OR associate/bachelor’s degree OR 2 years apprentice experience
Commercial Applicator	Supervises and applies independently	1 year as technician + 12 hrs training, OR 2 years as technician, OR 3 years apprentice experience

Relevant Categories for Landscaping

Category 3A: Ornamentals and Turf (trees, shrubs, flowers, and turfgrass)
Category 3B: Turf only (lawns, golf courses, athletic fields)

Exams and Fees

Exam fee: $100
Certification (first category, 3-year term): $450
Each additional category: $150
Must pass a Core exam (general safety/laws) plus category-specific exam
Study materials available through Cornell Cooperative Extension
Renewal every 3 years with continuing education credits

Step 3: Get Home Improvement Contractor License (If Required)

Landscaping explicitly falls under the “home improvement” definition in the following jurisdictions:

Jurisdiction	Fee	Bond/Trust
New York City (DCWP)	$100 app + $50 exam	$20,000 bond or $200 trust fund
Nassau County	$500 (2-year)	Required
Suffolk County	$200 (annual)	Required
Westchester County	$750 (eff. Jan 2026)	Required
Putnam County	$250-$300 (2-year)	$25,000 bond
Rockland County	$325	Required

Outside these jurisdictions: Most upstate counties do not require an HIC license for landscaping, but statewide Article 36-A requirements apply (written contracts for jobs over $500, escrow deposits, 3-day cancellation right).

Step 4: Get Nursery Dealer Registration (If Reselling Plants)

If you buy nursery stock (trees, shrubs, plants, sod) to resell as part of landscaping installations, register as a Nursery Dealer with the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets:

Registration fee: $100 per location (2-year period)
File Form PI-67 through New York Business Express
No initial inspection required for dealers (only growers need inspection)

Step 5: Get Insurance

Workers’ compensation rates for landscaping are classified similarly to construction, making insurance one of your biggest ongoing costs:

Workers’ Comp Class Code	Description	Approx. Rate per $100 Payroll
0042	Landscaping (planting, grading, patios, retaining walls)	$4.39
9102	Lawn maintenance (mowing, edging)	$2.33
0106	Tree pruning, trimming, removal	$7.63
5221	Hardscaping/concrete work	$4.37

Example: $200,000 annual payroll under Code 0042 = approximately $8,780/year in workers’ comp premiums.

Additional insurance needed:

General liability: $1M/$2M coverage, estimated $1,700-$4,200/year
Commercial auto: $2,000-$2,500/year per vehicle
Inland marine (equipment): $500-$1,500/year for mowers, trimmers, etc.
Disability benefits (DBL) and PFL: Mandatory with employees

Step 6: Register for Sales Tax

Most landscaping services are taxable in New York. According to Tax Bulletin TB-ST-505, taxable services include landscape maintenance, repair, and installation. However, capital improvements (permanent improvements to real property) may be exempt.

Register for a free Certificate of Authority through New York Business Express at least 20 days before beginning taxable sales.

NYC-Specific Requirements for Landscapers

Tree Work Permits: Any work on or within 50 feet of a city street tree requires a Tree Work Permit from NYC Parks. Applications must be received 20+ business days before work starts. Fines up to $15,000 per tree for violations.
Sidewalk/Curb Work: NYC DOT permit required for sidewalk work over 25 square feet.
NYC Local Law 37: Additional restrictions on pesticide use on city-owned property and near certain areas.

Environmental Regulations

Stormwater Permits

Projects that disturb 1 acre or more of soil require a SPDES stormwater permit from DEC. Fees: $110 per acre of land disturbed + $675 per acre of future impervious area. You must develop a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP).

Pesticide Use Requirements

All commercial pesticide applications must be reported to DEC
48-hour advance neighbor notification required in many areas
Proper storage, mixing, and disposal per DEC regulations
Records must be kept for 3 years

Cost to Start a Landscaping Business in New York

Item	Cost	Notes
LLC formation + publication	$450-$1,750	$200 filing + $250-$1,550 publication
DEC Pesticide Applicator exam	$100	If applying chemicals
DEC Pesticide cert (first category, 3 years)	$450	Category 3A or 3B
Nursery Dealer Registration	$100	If reselling plants (2-year)
NYC HIC License	$150 + bond	If working in NYC
County HIC License	$200-$750	If in Nassau/Suffolk/Westchester/etc.
General liability insurance (annual)	$1,700-$4,200	$1M/$2M coverage
Workers’ comp insurance (annual)	$2,300-$8,800+	Based on $100K payroll, varies by class
Commercial auto insurance (annual)	$2,000-$2,500	Per vehicle
Equipment insurance (annual)	$500-$1,500	Mowers, trimmers in transit
Equipment (mowers, trimmers, blowers, etc.)	$5,000-$20,000	Startup package
Truck and trailer	$10,000-$35,000	Used, suitable for hauling

Estimated total startup cost: $20,000-$75,000+ (including vehicle and equipment)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license to start a landscaping business in New York?

No statewide general landscaping license exists. However, if you apply pesticides/herbicides, you need DEC certification ($550+). If you work in NYC, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Putnam, or Rockland, you need a Home Improvement Contractor license ($200-$750). If you resell plants, you need a Nursery Dealer Registration ($100).

Do I need pesticide certification for basic lawn mowing?

No. Basic mowing, edging, trimming, and leaf removal do not require pesticide certification. You only need DEC certification if you apply pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers classified as pesticides, or any other regulated chemicals.

What workers’ comp class code applies to landscaping?

Several codes may apply: Code 0042 (landscaping: planting, grading, patios) at ~$4.39 per $100 payroll, Code 9102 (lawn maintenance: mowing/edging) at ~$2.33, and Code 0106 (tree work) at ~$7.63. Your carrier assigns the code based on your actual operations.

Are landscaping services taxable in New York?

Most landscaping services are taxable including maintenance, repair, and installation work. However, capital improvements (permanent improvements to real property) may be exempt. See Tax Bulletin TB-ST-505 for details. You need a Certificate of Authority before beginning work.

Do I need a tree work permit in NYC?

Yes, for any work on or within 50 feet of a city street tree. Apply through NYC Parks at least 20 business days before work starts. Fines for unauthorized tree work can reach $15,000 per tree. Private property trees generally don’t need permits unless in a historic district.

What is the Nursery Dealer Registration?

If you buy nursery stock (trees, shrubs, plants, sod) to resell to customers – even as part of a landscaping installation – you must register with the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets. The fee is $100 per location for a 2-year period. No inspection is required for dealers.

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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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