Handyman License Requirements in Decatur, AL
City of Decatur Revenue Department business license, required of anyone doing business in Decatur (min ~$75-$100, gross-receipts based, calendar year, due Jan 31), applied for via the CityView Portal; building contractors must provide certificate of insurance and trade qualifications. https://www.decatur-al.gov/government/departments/revenue/index.php
Decatur requirements
City of Decatur Revenue Department business license, required of anyone doing business in Decatur (min ~$75-$100, gross-receipts based, calendar year, due Jan 31), applied for via the CityView Portal; building contractors must provide certificate of insurance and trade qualifications. https://www.decatur-al.gov/government/departments/revenue/index.php
Source link: decatur-al.gov · decatur-al.gov · cityview.decatur-al.gov · checked November 2, 2026
Local business license
Required
- Name: City of Decatur Business License
- Office: City of Decatur Revenue Department, (256) 341-4546; apply via CityView Portal (cityview.decatur-al.gov)
- Fee: Varies by business type and estimated gross receipts; minimum generally $75-$100; calendar-year license, renew by Jan 31
"Anyone doing business in the City of Decatur is generally required to obtain a business license. ... prerequisites to licensing. For example, a certificate of occupancy, certificate of insurance and trade qualifications for building contractors"
Source: decatur-al.gov · checked November 2, 2026
Local contractor or handyman license
None found on official sources
- Name: No separate city contractor license; building contractors must show certificate of insurance and trade qualifications as license prerequisites
- Trigger: Doing business in Decatur
"certificate of insurance and trade qualifications for building contractors"
Source: decatur-al.gov · checked November 2, 2026
County: Morgan County and Limestone County
The Alabama rule
Regulator: Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board (residential); Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors (commercial/public, pools); Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors; Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board; Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors
Ala. Code 34-14A-2(16): a residential home builder license is required 'when the cost of the undertaking exceeds ten thousand dollars ($10,000)' - i.e., $10,000.00 or less is exempt; over $10,000 requires a license. Residential roofers: license required when cost of the undertaking exceeds $2,500. Owners working on their own residence/real estate are exempt.
What counts toward it: labor+materials (statute: 'total cost of the materials, labor, supervision, overhead, and profit')
"or the repair, improvement, or reimprovement thereof, to be used by another as a residence when the cost of the undertaking exceeds ten thousand dollars ($10,000). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term includes a residential roofer when the cost of the undertaking exceeds two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500)."
Source: hblb.alabama.gov · hblb.alabama.gov · checked November 6, 2026
State registration
No separate state handyman registration found. Residential roofer licensees must submit a $10,000 license/permit bond naming the Board as obligee (HBLB FAQ).
Source: hblb.alabama.gov · checked November 6, 2026
Insurance and bond
HBLB law does not require insurance to get a license, but Ala. Code 34-14A-19 requires a residential home builder to tell the homeowner in writing, before work starts, whether it carries liability insurance. If insured, builder and homeowner may sign or initial with no witness; if not insured, both sign and one witness chosen by the homeowner attests (as amended by Act 2026-320). Roofers: $10,000 license/permit bond.
Source: alison.legislature.state.al.us · checked November 12, 2026
Forming an LLC in Alabama
State filing fee: $200.
Source: sos.alabama.gov · checked November 6, 2026
What to do, in order
- Read the Alabama rule and confirm with Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board (residential); Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors (commercial/public, pools); Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors; Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board; Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors.
- Line up the Decatur items listed on this page.
- Get your insurance and rate in place before the first paid job.
Nearby places
Rules change. This page shows what official sources said on the dates above. It is not legal advice.
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