General Contractor Permits & Licenses in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Required for all LLCs; annual report required separately

Applies to all Florida LLCs regardless of industry

Required for unlimited contracting work statewide; exam required (business/finance + trade knowledge); 4 years experience or equivalent

Alternative to Certified license for local-only work; still requires state registration + local approval

Certified General Contractor requires minimum $20,000 net worth verified by CPA; updated every 2 years

LLC must designate at least one qualifying agent (licensed contractor) responsible for operations

Required if using DBA/trade name; renews every 5 years

14 hours continuing education required every 2 years; financial responsibility re-verified

General contractors are generally not required to charge sales tax on their labor for construction, but must collect sales tax on materials and supplies used in the project. Registration is required if selling any taxable items. See Rule 12A-1.051, Florida Administrative Code.

Required for all employers who withhold wages for state income tax (though Florida has no personal income tax, registration is still required for reporting purposes and compliance with federal/state coordination).

All employers with one or more employees must register. New employers pay 2.7% on first $7,000 of each employee's wages annually until experience rating is established.

Florida imposes corporate income tax on C corporations at 5.5% on net income apportioned to Florida. Most LLCs are pass-through entities and do not pay corporate income tax unless they elect corporate taxation. Partners and members report income on personal returns.

Florida does not have a broad-based gross receipts tax. Only C-Corporations pay corporate income tax. Most LLCs are pass-through entities and are not subject to this tax.

Required in nearly all Florida counties and municipalities. Known as 'Business Tax Receipt' (BTR) or 'Occupational License'. Must be displayed at place of business. Examples: City of Tampa (https://www.tampa.gov/business-tax-receipt), Broward County (https://www.broward.org/BusinessTax).

Required for all LLCs with employees and for multi-member LLCs. Single-member LLCs without employees may use owner’s SSN but often obtain EIN for banking and contractor purposes.

General contractors must collect sales tax on materials and equipment sold as part of a job. Filing frequency assigned by FL DOR based on sales volume.

Although Florida has no state income tax, employers must still file Form FWT-1 (Withholding Tax Return) to report wages and comply with federal reporting requirements.

Employers must file Form RT-6 every quarter and pay tax on first $7,000 of each employee’s wages annually.

Applies only if the LLC has elected corporate tax treatment. Most LLCs are pass-through and file Form 1065 or 1120-S instead.

Multi-member LLCs are taxed as partnerships by default. Form 1065 is an informational return; income flows to members’ personal returns.

Applies to single-member LLC owners. No state-level self-employment tax in Florida.

Required for ALL businesses including general contractors. General contractors typically classified under 'Contractor' category.

Most Florida municipalities require local contractor registration IN ADDITION TO state specialty licenses (e.g., plumbing, electrical). Some counties exempt state-licensed contractors.

Must verify business location complies with zoning for 'contractor yard/office'. Home-based operations often restricted.

Strict limits on contractor home offices (no storage of equipment/materials, limited client visits)

Required for office buildout, contractor yard fencing, etc.

Size, lighting, and placement restrictions vary

Required for offices over 3,000 sq ft or with assembly areas

Required based on building size/occupancy type

Many jurisdictions prohibit or heavily restrict contractor yards in commercial zones

Required for all employers with four or more employees (including part-time). Agricultural employers have different thresholds. Sole proprietors and partners may be exempt unless working in construction, where they are presumed to be employees unless they formally elect out. See Florida Statutes §440.10.

Not mandated by Florida state law per se, but DBPR requires proof of general liability insurance or surety bond as part of licensing for contractors. Minimum limits: $100,000 per occurrence, $300,000 aggregate for residential; $300,000/$500,000 for commercial. See Rule 61G4-30.011, Florida Administrative Code.

A $20,000 surety bond is required for most contractor licenses (e.g., CBC125 - Certified Building Contractor) to ensure compliance with Florida Building Code and state laws. Alternatively, a $20,000 certificate of self-insurance or $20,000 cash deposit may be posted. See DBPR Form 3900-2 and Rule 61G4-30.011, F.A.C.

Florida law requires bodily injury liability coverage of at least $10,000 per person and $20,000 per accident, and property damage liability of $10,000. Most businesses opt for higher limits. Applies to all vehicles registered to the LLC. See Florida Statutes §324.021.

Pursuant to Florida Statutes §255.05, a performance and payment bond is required for all public works contracts exceeding $20,000. The bond amount must be at least 100% of the contract value. This is separate from the license bond.

Not legally required by the State of Florida for general contractors. However, may be required by clients, architects, or project owners for design-build or high-risk projects. Strongly recommended but not mandated.

Not specifically mandated by Florida law for general contractors unless the business manufactures or sells products. General liability insurance typically covers third-party injury or property damage from defective products. No standalone statutory requirement.

Not required for general contractors unless the business holds an alcohol license (e.g., for events). General contractors not involved in alcohol service are not subject to this requirement.

Required by most Florida municipalities (e.g., Miami-Dade, Hillsborough) for new construction permits. Covers materials, equipment, and liability during construction.

Not required by Florida law, but frequently required by owners, municipalities, or lenders. Often required in conjunction with CGL.

Florida Statute §440.10(2)(c) makes general contractors liable for WC claims if subcontractors are uninsured. Contractors must obtain certificates of insurance (COI) from all subs.

Required for all LLCs, especially if the business has employees or files federal taxes as a corporation or partnership. Even single-member LLCs without employees may need an EIN to open a business bank account or contract with certain clients.

By default, a single-member LLC is disregarded as an entity (filed under owner’s personal return), while a multi-member LLC is taxed as a partnership (Form 1065). If taxed as a corporation, Form 1120 must be filed. General Contractors must report income and expenses related to construction services.

General Contractors must comply with OSHA construction standards (29 CFR 1926), including fall protection, scaffolding, excavation, and hazard communication. Employers must provide a safe workplace, post OSHA notices, and report work-related fatalities within 8 hours or hospitalizations within 24 hours. Applies only if the LLC has employees.

Florida does not impose individual or corporate income tax. Therefore, no estimated state income tax payments are required for Florida-based LLCs. This may differ for multi-state operations.

General Contractors operating offices open to clients must ensure physical accessibility under Title III of the ADA. If employing 15 or more, Title I requires reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities. While not construction-specific, contractors must also comply when building or modifying public facilities under ADA standards.

Required for contractors disturbing paint in homes, apartments, or child care facilities built before 1978. The LLC must be EPA-certified, use certified renovators, follow lead-safe work practices, and provide EPA-approved disclosures. Applies specifically to General Contractors performing such work.

General Contractors must comply with the FTC’s “Home Improvement Rule” (16 CFR Part 455), which requires clear contracts, prohibits misrepresentations, and mandates specific disclosures (e.g., right to cancel). Also subject to FTC Act Section 5 prohibiting deceptive advertising. Applies specifically to residential remodeling and repair services.

All employers, including LLCs, must complete Form I-9 for each employee to verify identity and work authorization. General Contractors with field crews must ensure compliance across all worksites. E-Verify is not federally required unless under federal contract.

General Contractors must comply with federal minimum wage ($7.25/hr), overtime (1.5x regular rate after 40 hours), and recordkeeping requirements. Applies to all hourly employees, including construction laborers. Independent contractor classification must meet FLSA standards to avoid misclassification penalties.

Requires eligible employers to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying medical or family reasons. General Contractors meeting the employee threshold must comply. Does not apply to smaller firms.

There is no federal business license required for general contracting. Licensing is handled at the state level (in Florida, by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation). This is a clarification to prevent confusion with state-level requirements.

All Florida LLCs must file an annual report with the Division of Corporations. Failure to file by May 31 results in a $400 late fee. If not filed by December 31, the LLC may be administratively dissolved.

General contractors must hold an active license issued by DBPR. Licenses are renewed biennially. The renewal cycle is based on the licensee’s birth month. Fee includes $450 renewal fee + $80 for two years of NCCI workers’ comp premium reporting (if applicable).

Contractors must complete 14 hours of board-approved continuing education every two years, including 1 hour of workplace safety, 1 hour of workers’ compensation, 1 hour of business practices, 1 hour of workers’ rights (human trafficking awareness), and 10 hours of advanced building construction topics. Must be completed before license renewal.

LLCs with employees must file Form 941 quarterly (due April 30, July 31, October 31, January 31). Form 940 (Federal Unemployment Tax) is due January 31. Form 1099-NEC for non-employee compensation is due to IRS and recipients by January 31. Pass-through entities file Form 1120-S (March 15) or Form 1065 (April 15).

General contractors collecting sales tax on materials must register with FL DOR and file Form DR-15AC. Filing frequency is assigned by DOR. Contractors may also be subject to Florida’s 1% discretionary sales surtax in certain counties.

Florida requires all employers with four or more employees (including part-time) to carry workers’ comp insurance. Construction is classified as high-risk. Sole members of an LLC may opt out unless they elect coverage. Employers must report annual premium data to NCCI by January 31.

Contractors must visibly display their DBPR-issued license at their principal place of business. A copy must also be available at job sites upon request. Failure to display is a misdemeanor under Florida Statute 489.127.

Employers must display federal and state labor law posters, including OSHA workplace safety, EEO, FMLA, FLSA, and Florida Workers’ Compensation. Available for free from DEO and DOL websites. Must be in a conspicuous location accessible to employees.

Most Florida counties and cities require a local business tax receipt (often called an occupational license). Renewal is annual and jurisdiction-specific. Example: Miami-Dade County requires renewal by June 30. Check with local clerk for exact deadline and fee.

Employers with 11 or more employees must maintain OSHA Form 300 (injury/illness log). Form 300A must be posted from February 1 to April 30 each year. All employers must display OSHA’s Job Safety and Health poster (OSHA 2206).

Self-employed individuals and pass-through entities must make quarterly estimated tax payments using Form 1040-ES. Due dates are April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15 of the following year. Payments cover income and self-employment taxes.

Local jurisdictions require periodic inspections during construction (e.g., footing, framing, electrical, final). Scheduling is the contractor’s responsibility. Failure to pass inspections halts progress and may result in penalties.

Commercial buildings may be subject to annual fire inspections by the local fire department or Florida State Fire Marshal. Applies to office spaces, storage facilities, or job sites with temporary structures. Frequency depends on occupancy classification.

IRS recommends keeping business tax records for at least 3 years. Employment tax records for 4 years. DBPR may require license-related documents for 5 years. Contracts, lien waivers, and project records should be retained for at least 5 years due to Florida’s statute of repose for construction defects (10 years for latent defects).