Lawn care licensing in Illinois
Quick answer
- ✓ Register your business with the IL Secretary of State
- ✗ Lawn mowing is generally NOT subject to Illinois sales tax (services not enumerated)
- ✓ Get general liability insurance
- ✗ No state-specific license for mowing-only
- ⚠️ Pesticide / herbicide application requires Illinois Department of Agriculture certification
Business registration
Illinois LLC filing fee is $150. The franchise tax has been phased out for new LLCs but the annual report fee remains ($75). Sole proprietors using a trade name file an Assumed Name with the county clerk.
Sales tax
Illinois taxes the sale of tangible personal property, not most services. Pure lawn maintenance services are typically not taxable. However, if you sell mulch, sod, or fertilizer to customers as line items, the sale of those goods is subject to sales tax — register if you do.
Lawn care taxable: No · State rate: 6.25%
Illinois Sales & Use Tax Permit (only if selling goods) →
Pesticide / herbicide certification
Commercial applicators are licensed by IDOA. Relevant category for lawn care is "Right of Way / Turf and Ornamental." Continuing education is required.
Illinois Department of Agriculture →
State-specific licensing
No state license required for mowing-only services.
Insurance
Not state-mandated. $1M general liability is the practical floor.
Worker's compensation
Illinois requires worker's compensation insurance for almost all employers, including those with one employee.
Local quirks
Chicago
Chicago has its own combined sales tax (10.25%) — relevant only if you sell tangible goods. Some neighborhoods have specific noise ordinances on equipment hours.
Useful links
Your starter checklist
- Register business entity with IL Secretary of State
- Get a federal EIN
- (If selling goods) Register for Illinois sales tax
- Open a business bank account
- Get general liability insurance
- (If applying chemicals) Get pesticide applicator certification
- (Before hiring) Set up worker's compensation insurance