Landscaping Permits & Licenses in Jonesboro, AR

Register via Employer Account Number (EAN) online

Requires passing core + category exam (e.g., Ornamental/Turf); 20 recertification hours

Dealer must employ certified applicators; recordkeeping required

Landscaping often involves taxable sales; collect 6.5%+local sales tax

Required to form LLC; file Articles of Organization online or by mail

All LLCs must file; fee based on net worth reported on form

Renew every 5 years for $15; not required if using exact LLC name

Quarterly filing required if withholding >$1,000/year

Landscaping services are generally not subject to sales tax in Arkansas unless tangible personal property (e.g., plants, sod, rock) is sold. Contractors must collect sales tax on materials sold to customers. If only providing labor, no sales tax applies. However, if selling materials, registration is required.

Required for all employers paying wages to employees in Arkansas. Employers must withhold state income tax from employee wages and remit it to the DFA. Applies regardless of business type.

All employers with employees in Arkansas must register with the DWS and pay unemployment insurance (UI) tax. The tax rate varies based on experience rating (employer history). New employers are assigned a standard rate (as of 2024: 1.0%).

Applies to all LLCs and corporations doing business in Arkansas. LLCs are subject to the franchise tax regardless of income. The tax is calculated based on capital employed in Arkansas, with a minimum of $150. Must file Form AR10F annually.

Federal requirement for all employers. Must obtain an EIN and withhold federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare from employee wages. File Form 941 quarterly and Form 940 annually.

Applies to employers who pay $1,000 or more in wages in any calendar quarter. Most employers pay 0.6% effective rate after claiming credit for timely state unemployment tax payments.

Many Arkansas cities (e.g., Little Rock, Fayetteville, Fort Smith) require a local business license or privilege tax. Landscaping businesses operating within city limits must register locally. Check with city clerk or finance department. DFA provides a list of local taxes at the URL.

Some Arkansas cities (e.g., Bentonville, Rogers) impose a local gross receipts tax on businesses. Landscaping businesses may be subject if they generate revenue within such jurisdictions. Registration is handled through the city or county. DFA maintains a list of local taxes.

Required for all businesses; landscaping classified under general contractor/services. Check specific city code (e.g., Little Rock Code Ch. 7).

Not all counties require (e.g., no statewide county requirement); landscaping often under "contractor" category. Verify with county clerk.

Must comply with local zoning ordinances (e.g., Little Rock Zoning Ordinance Sec. 36-451 et seq.). Home occupation permit needed for residences.

Limits on equipment storage, traffic, noise. Specific to cities like Fayetteville Code Sec. 114-123.

Required for structural changes over certain thresholds per International Building Code adopted locally.

Governed by local sign ordinances (e.g., Little Rock Code Ch. 36, Art. IX).

Required in cities like Little Rock to reduce false alarms.

Certificate of Occupancy requires fire approval per fire code.

Commercial applicator certification required; training/exam needed. Not municipal but enforced locally.

Required for all employers with three or more employees in Arkansas, regardless of industry. Sole proprietors and partners are exempt unless they elect coverage. Agricultural workers may have limited exemptions, but landscaping is not classified as agriculture. Employers must either purchase insurance through a licensed carrier or qualify as a self-insured employer.

Not legally required by Arkansas state law for landscaping businesses. However, strongly recommended due to risk of property damage or bodily injury claims. Often required by clients, municipalities, or property management companies before contract award.

Not legally required in Arkansas for landscaping businesses. However, recommended if offering design, irrigation planning, or other professional services where errors could lead to financial loss. Not a state-mandated coverage.

Arkansas does not require a general contractor license or surety bond for landscaping businesses unless performing work involving structural modifications or plumbing/electrical work exceeding $2,500. Most routine landscaping is exempt. However, some municipalities may require bonds for public contracts.

Arkansas law requires all motor vehicles registered in the state to carry liability insurance meeting minimum limits: $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, $25,000 property damage (25/50/25). Applies to any vehicle used for business purposes, including trucks and mowers if transported on trailers. Personal auto policies typically exclude business use.

Not legally required by Arkansas law. However, if the landscaping business sells products (e.g., soil, plants, pavers), it assumes liability for defective or harmful products. Coverage is typically included in general liability policies but not mandated by state law.

Not applicable to standard landscaping operations. Only relevant if the business hosts events where alcohol is served. No state mandate for liquor liability insurance, but required to obtain an alcohol license. Landscaping businesses do not typically require alcohol permits.

Arkansas requires a $10,000 surety bond for contractors performing projects over $2,500 involving structural work. Routine landscaping (mowing, planting, mulching) is exempt. If LLC performs hardscaping, patios, or decks over $2,500, registration and bond are mandatory. Bond ensures compliance with state construction laws.

Required for all LLCs, especially if they have employees or file excise, employment, or alcohol/tobacco/firearms returns. Even single-member LLCs without employees may need an EIN for banking or contractor purposes.

A multi-member LLC is taxed as a partnership and must file Form 1065; a single-member LLC is disregarded and reports income on Schedule C of Form 1040. If elected, taxed as a corporation (Form 1120 or 1120-S).

Landscaping businesses with employees must comply with OSHA standards including hazard communication, personal protective equipment (PPE), and injury reporting. Employers must display OSHA poster (Form 3165) and report fatalities or hospitalizations within 8–24 hours.

Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), commercial applicators of restricted-use pesticides must comply with Worker Protection Standard (WPS), including training, notification, and decontamination. Certification not required at federal level unless applying for others (then state rules may apply).

FLSA requires payment of federal minimum wage ($7.25/hour), overtime (1.5x regular rate after 40 hours/week), and proper recordkeeping. Applies to landscaping businesses engaged in interstate commerce (virtually all).

All employers must complete Form I-9 to verify identity and work authorization. Applies to all employees, regardless of citizenship. E-Verify is not federally required unless in certain federal contracts or states with mandates.

Requires eligible employers to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying medical and family reasons. Landscaping businesses meeting size threshold must comply.

Applies to businesses serving the public. Landscaping businesses with customer-facing offices or service centers must ensure accessibility under Title III. Websites may be included if used for transactions.

Prohibits deceptive environmental claims (e.g., "eco-friendly," "organic," "green"). Landscaping businesses making sustainability claims must have substantiation. Applies to ads, websites, and brochures.

Landscaping businesses using large trucks or trailers for hauling equipment or debris may need to comply with FMCSA regulations, including driver logs (ELD), vehicle inspections, and possible USDOT number registration.