Riverside Lawn Care License Requirements (2026)

📋 Your checklist

State

1. Maintenance Gardener Pest Control Business license (DPR) — if you apply pesticides
   Required when your gardening includes incidental pest control; needs a qualified person with the right DPR certificate. $180 a calendar year.
   ⏰ Expires Dec 31: business names A–L in even years, M–Z in odd years
   Source: California DPR: Maintenance Gardener Pest Control Business license
2. CSLB C-27 Landscaping license — for jobs of $1,000+
   Landscape construction totaling $1,000 or more (labor + materials) needs a CSLB license.
   ⏰ Active licenses expire every two years (verify your date on CSLB)
   Source: California CSLB: Who needs a contractor license · California CSLB: License classifications · California CSLB: General renewal information
3. Secretary of State and Franchise Tax Board filings
   LLCs and corporations file a Statement of Information ($20 or $25) and most businesses pay at least $800 a year in Franchise Tax. A business name other than your own is filed with your county.
   ⏰ Statement of Information: frequency depends on entity type (verify). Franchise tax: yearly
   Source: California Secretary of State: Business entities FAQs

Local (Riverside / Riverside County)

1. City of Riverside Business Tax Certificate
   All persons conducting business in the city, including independent contractors, home businesses and businesses based outside Riverside, must register and pay before starting.
   ⏰ Paid annually, in advance, on or before your current certificate's expiration date
   Source: City of Riverside Finance: Business license FAQ