Lawn care licensing in Ohio
Quick answer
- ✓ Register your business with the OH Secretary of State
- ✓ Get an Ohio Vendor's License — lawn care is taxable at 5.75% + local
- ✓ Get general liability insurance
- ✗ No state-specific license for mowing-only
- ⚠️ Pesticide / herbicide application requires Ohio Department of Agriculture license
Business registration
Ohio LLC filing fee is $99. Sole proprietors using a trade name file a "Trade Name Registration" with the SOS.
Sales tax
Ohio taxes lawn care services (mowing, fertilizing, weed control). State rate is 5.75%; combined rates with county and transit-authority taxes typically run 6.5–8%.
Lawn care taxable: Yes · State rate: 5.75%
Pesticide / herbicide certification
Commercial pesticide applicators must be licensed by ODA. Relevant category is "Turf & Ornamental." Annual fee plus continuing education for renewal.
Ohio Department of Agriculture →
State-specific licensing
No state license required for general mowing services.
Insurance
Not state-mandated. $1M general liability is industry standard.
Worker's compensation
Ohio is a monopolistic state for worker's comp — coverage must be purchased from the Ohio Bureau of Worker's Compensation. Required for any employer with one or more employees.
Useful links
- OH Secretary of State
- OH Department of Taxation
- OH Department of Agriculture
- OH Bureau of Worker's Comp
Your starter checklist
- Register business entity with OH Secretary of State
- Get a federal EIN
- Apply for an Ohio Vendor's License
- Open a business bank account
- Get general liability insurance
- (If applying chemicals) Get ODA pesticide license
- (Before hiring) Apply for Ohio Bureau of Worker's Comp coverage