How to Start a Landscaping Business in Tennessee (2026)

Last updated: February 25, 2026

Starting a landscaping business in Tennessee is straightforward for basic lawn care and maintenance – no state landscaping license is required. However, if you apply pesticides or herbicides, you need certification from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. And if you take on larger projects (hardscaping, irrigation, retaining walls) valued at $25,000 or more, you’ll need a contractor license from the Board for Licensing Contractors.

Tennessee’s warm climate supports a long growing season, and the state’s expanding suburbs around Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga create strong demand for landscaping services. This guide covers every requirement, cost, and step to get your landscaping business legally operating.

Landscaping Business Requirements in Tennessee at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
LLC Formation	Tennessee Secretary of State	$300 (minimum)	2-5 business days
Federal EIN	IRS	Free	Immediate (online)
Business License (Business Tax)	County/City Clerk	$22 minimum	Same day
Pesticide Applicator Certification	TN Department of Agriculture	$100 ($25 app + $75 cert)	After passing exam
Contractor License (if $25K+ projects)	TN Board for Licensing Contractors	$250 application	After exams
Workers’ Compensation	Private insurer	Varies	Same day
General Liability Insurance	Private insurer	$800-$2,000/year	Same day

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

Step 1: Form Your Business Entity

Register an LLC with the Tennessee Secretary of State through the TNBEAR portal. The filing fee is $300 minimum ($50 per member). After forming your LLC, get a free EIN from the IRS.

Step 2: Get a Business License

Obtain a business license from your county or city clerk ($22 minimum). This is tied to Tennessee’s business tax on gross receipts. If operating in multiple counties, you may need a license in each.

Step 3: Get Pesticide Applicator Certification

If your landscaping services include applying pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or fertilizers with pesticide components, you need certification from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.

Certification Categories for Landscapers

Category	Covers
HLT (Horticulture – Lawn and Turf)	Control of pests and diseases of shrubs, trees, lawns, and turfgrasses in non-agricultural settings
C03 (Ornamental and Turf)	Pest control in ornamental and turf settings
Limited Herbicide Applicator	Glyphosate-only application for weed control in lawn/landscape maintenance

• Application fee: $25
• Certification fee: $75
• Total: $100
• Exams: Core exam (general pesticide knowledge) plus category-specific exam
• Study materials: Available through the University of Tennessee Pesticide Safety Education Program
• Renewal: Every 3 years with continuing education credits

Pest Control Charter

If you operate a business that applies pesticides for hire, you also need a pest control charter from the Department of Agriculture. This requires proof of financial responsibility, a business license, and at least one certified applicator on staff.

Step 4: Get Contractor License If Needed

If your landscaping business takes on projects valued at $25,000 or more (hardscaping, retaining walls, large irrigation systems, etc.), you need a license from the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors.

• Application fee: $250
• Exams: Trade exam + Business/Law exam (73% passing score)
• Experience: 3+ years
• Financial: CPA-reviewed financial statements
• Renewal: $200 every 2 years

Basic lawn care (mowing, trimming, leaf removal) and small landscaping jobs under $25,000 do not require a contractor license.

Step 5: Get Business Insurance

General Liability Insurance

• Cost: $800-$2,000/year for landscaping businesses
• Covers: Property damage (broken windows, damaged sprinkler lines), bodily injury, completed operations
• Typical limits: $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate

Workers’ Compensation

• Standard landscaping: Required at 5+ employees
• Construction-related landscaping (hardscaping, retaining walls): Required at 1+ employee
• Rates: Landscaping rates are typically $4.00-$8.00 per $100 of payroll (higher than many industries due to physical nature of work)

Additional Insurance

• Commercial auto: $1,200-$3,000/year for trucks and trailers
• Inland marine (equipment): $300-$800/year (covers mowers, trimmers, blowers against theft/damage)
• Pollution liability: Recommended if applying chemicals ($500-$1,500/year)

Step 6: Purchase Equipment

Essential equipment for a landscaping startup:

• Commercial mower(s): $3,000-$12,000 (zero-turn, walk-behind, or both)
• String trimmer/edger: $200-$500
• Backpack blower: $300-$600
• Hedge trimmer: $200-$400
• Trailer: $1,500-$5,000 (open landscape trailer)
• Work truck: $15,000-$40,000 (used pickup truck)
• Hand tools: Shovels, rakes, wheelbarrow ($200-$500)
• Safety equipment: Ear protection, eye protection, gloves ($100-$200)

Step 7: Start Marketing and Operations

Build your client base through:

• Door-to-door flyers in target neighborhoods
• Google Business Profile (free, essential for local search)
• Social media (before/after photos work well for landscaping)
• Yard signs at job sites (with client permission)
• Nextdoor and local community groups
• Partnerships with real estate agents and property managers

Cost to Start a Landscaping Business in Tennessee

Item	Cost	Notes
Tennessee LLC formation	$300	Annual report also $300/year
Federal EIN	Free	Apply online at IRS.gov
Business license	$22+	Annual, county/city clerk
Pesticide applicator certification	$100	$25 app + $75 cert; renews every 3 years
Contractor license (if needed)	$250+	Only for $25K+ projects; $200 renewal/2 years
General liability insurance	$800-$2,000/year	$1M/$2M limits
Workers’ comp insurance	Varies	Required at 5+ employees (1+ for construction work)
Commercial auto insurance	$1,200-$3,000/year	Truck and trailer
Commercial mower(s)	$3,000-$12,000	Zero-turn and/or walk-behind
Trimmer, blower, edger	$700-$1,500	Commercial grade
Trailer	$1,500-$5,000	Open landscape trailer
Work truck (used)	$15,000-$40,000	Pickup truck

Estimated total startup cost: $5,000-$10,000 (solo, already have truck) to $25,000-$60,000+ (full setup with vehicle, trailer, commercial equipment)

Related Tennessee Business Guides

• How to Start a Cleaning Service in Tennessee
• How to Start a Food Truck in Tennessee
• How to Start a Daycare in Tennessee
• How to Start an HVAC Business in Tennessee
• How to Start a Hair Salon in Tennessee
• How to Start a Private Investigation Business in Tennessee

← Back to all Tennessee business guides

Frequently Asked Questions

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

For basic lawn care (mowing, trimming, leaf removal), no state license is required. You just need a business license from your county/city clerk. However, if you apply pesticides or herbicides, you need certification from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture ($100). If you take on projects $25,000+, you need a contractor license ($250).

Do I need a pesticide license for landscaping in Tennessee?

Yes, if you apply any pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizer products with pesticide components. The HLT (Horticulture – Lawn and Turf) category from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture is the most common for landscapers. Application fee is $25 plus $75 certification fee. You must pass a core exam and category exam. The Limited Herbicide Applicator category is available for glyphosate-only application.

Do I need workers’ comp for a landscaping business in Tennessee?

For standard landscaping (mowing, planting, maintenance), workers’ comp is required at 5+ employees. For construction-related landscaping (hardscaping, retaining walls, major grading), the 1-employee construction threshold applies. Landscaping workers’ comp rates are typically $4-$8 per $100 of payroll due to the physical nature of the work.

When do I need a contractor license for landscaping in Tennessee?

A contractor license from the Board for Licensing Contractors is required for landscaping projects valued at $25,000 or more (including labor and materials). This typically applies to large hardscaping, irrigation installation, retaining walls, and commercial landscaping projects. Basic lawn maintenance does not require a contractor license regardless of revenue.

How much does landscaping insurance cost in Tennessee?

General liability insurance costs $800-$2,000/year for landscaping businesses. Commercial auto insurance runs $1,200-$3,000/year. Equipment coverage (inland marine) is $300-$800/year. If applying chemicals, pollution liability insurance costs $500-$1,500/year additionally.

What equipment do I need to start a landscaping business?

At minimum, you need a commercial mower ($3,000-$12,000), string trimmer ($200-$500), backpack blower ($300-$600), and basic hand tools ($200-$500). Most landscapers also need a pickup truck ($15,000-$40,000 used) and trailer ($1,500-$5,000). Total equipment costs range from $5,000 (minimal, already have truck) to $50,000+ (full commercial setup).