St. Petersburg 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 (St. Petersburg / Pinellas County)

1. City of St. Petersburg Business Tax Receipt
   Required to do business inside city limits. Renewal notices usually mail in July, but the tax is due even if you never get one.
   ⏰ Due by September 30; 10% late in October, up to 25%
   Source: City of St. Petersburg: Business Tax Receipts
2. Pinellas County
   Pinellas County itself does not issue a business tax receipt (repealed in 1995). Your city receipt is what you need locally.
   ⏰ None
   Source: Pinellas County: Occupational Licenses/Business Tax Receipts