Miami Lawn Care License Requirements (2026)

📋 Your checklist

State

1. Limited Certification for Urban Landscape Commercial Fertilizer Application (FDACS)
   Anyone applying commercial fertilizer to lawns or landscapes must hold this certification (requires Green Industries BMP training).
   ⏰ Expires 4 years after issue; 4 hours of CE before recertifying
   Source: Florida Statutes §482.1562 (fertilizer applicator certification)
2. Business name and entity filings (Sunbiz)
   LLCs and corporations file an annual report ($138.75 for an LLC). Using a name other than your legal name? Register it as a fictitious name.
   ⏰ Annual report: May 1 ($400 late fee). Fictitious name: renew every 5 years
   Source: Florida Division of Corporations: File Annual Report · Florida Statutes §865.09 (fictitious name registration)

Local (Miami / Miami-Dade County)

1. City of Miami Business Tax Receipt (BTR)
   Required for every business in the City of Miami. Most businesses need a Certificate of Use (CU) first; food trucks and businesses with no physical location in the city go straight to the BTR.
   ⏰ Renew by September 30 each year
   Source: City of Miami: Get a Business Tax Receipt · Florida Statutes §205.053 (business tax due dates and penalties)
2. City of Miami Certificate of Use (CU)
   Needed for a physical business location (a home office applies for an "accessory of use" instead). The CU renewal also covers your Fire Safety Permit.
   ⏰ Pay the renewal invoice by September 30 each year
   Source: City of Miami: Get a Certificate of Use
3. Miami-Dade County Local Business Tax Receipt
   Businesses inside a city need both a city receipt and a county receipt. One receipt per location and per business category.
   ⏰ Renew by September 30 each year
   Source: Miami-Dade Tax Collector: Local Business Tax Receipt