STATE LICENSE
ConditionalSee what applies
Mowing, planting, grading, hardscaping, and irrigation work as such need no Georgia state trade license: 'Landscape and Irrigation' sits on the State Licensing Board's exempt specialty-contractor list under O.C.G.A. § 43-41-17.
The traps are the adjacent activities. Spraying pesticides or herbicides for hire requires a Pesticide Contractor License and a certified commercial applicator (Category 24, Ornamental & Turf). Low-voltage landscape lighting and irrigation-system wiring are licensed low-voltage electrical work. And the irrigation backflow preventer must be installed by a licensed plumber — though anyone may work on the sprinkler piping downstream of it.
The state sets the license floor; the county or city permit office controls filing, inspections, and local rules wherever the job site sits.
Local governments handle only the occupation tax certificate and any structural permits (retaining walls, drainage) — they cannot regulate pesticides (O.C.G.A. § 2-7-113.1) and issue no landscaping trade license because none exists at any level.
The local offices section below names the exact permit desk for every Georgia county on file.
Each row names the issuing authority, cost, timeline, citation, and status behind the requirement — verified against the official source.
Published fees from the issuing authorities, as of September 2026. Local permit fees vary by project and jurisdiction — the basis is stated where a flat number does not exist.
Pure landscaping — mowing, planting, grading, hardscape — requires no state license fee at all. The costs start when you spray, wire, or plumb.
The pesticide contractor license renews annually; renewing late adds 50% to the fee.
A licensed plumber must set the backflow preventer, but anyone may install or repair the sprinkler system downstream of it.
A practical sequence for a new landscaping contractor in Georgia. Actual agency processing times are noted in the ledger above.
Each item names the issuing authority, cycle, and citation.
Statutory consequences with their citations — not estimates, not “commonly cited” guesses.
Violating the Pesticide Use and Application Act or its regulations is a criminal offense.
Wiring landscape lighting or irrigation controls for hire without an LV license falls under the licensing board's Title 43 enforcement.
Taking on general construction work of $2,500 or more under a landscaping banner requires a residential or general contractor license — unlicensed contracts are unenforceable.
Inside city limits, the city office listed here issues the permit; the county office serves unincorporated areas. Every office links to its official page.
Every fact in this file was checked against these official sources on September 2026.
Pending verification: Exact minimum dollar amount of pesticide financial responsibility (set by GDA Rule 40-21-8) · Low-voltage contractor application and renewal fee amounts (SOS fee schedule unretrievable) · Whether any de minimis exemption covers plug-in 12V lighting kits — treat for-hire low-voltage wiring as licensed work
General information, not legal advice. Always confirm requirements, deadlines, and forms with the issuing authority before filing or contracting.
Store licenses, permits, policies, and renewal dates in one place.