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Handyman License Requirements in Martin County, MN

By , Founder of Bulletproof Handyman · Minnesota rules checked November 2, 2026 · Martin County local rules checked November 2, 2026

No City of Martin. County Planning & Zoning (Martin County Courthouse, 201 Lake Ave, Room 104, Fairmont MN 56031, 507-238-3242) issues building permits in its jurisdiction; no county business or contractor license found. Residential contractor licensing is state DLI (not local). Official site: co.martin.mn.us.

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Martin County requirements

No City of Martin. County Planning & Zoning (Martin County Courthouse, 201 Lake Ave, Room 104, Fairmont MN 56031, 507-238-3242) issues building permits in its jurisdiction; no county business or contractor license found. Residential contractor licensing is state DLI (not local). Official site: co.martin.mn.us.

Source link: co.martin.mn.us · co.martin.mn.us · co.martin.mn.us · checked November 2, 2026

County business license

Our check could not confirm this from an official page, so we don't state it. Ask the city or county office.

Local contractor or handyman license

None found on official sources

  • Name: No county contractor license found; Martin County Planning & Zoning issues building permits (unincorporated areas), checks payable to Martin County Treasurer
  • Trigger: Building permit required before constructing, moving in, replacing or adding on to a structure
"Construction, alteration and the movement of buildings and/or structures may require a building permit that can be obtained from Planning and Zoning."

Source: co.martin.mn.us · checked November 2, 2026

The Minnesota rule

Regulator: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Construction Codes and Licensing Division (residential contractor licensing; also electrical and plumbing licensing). Subcontractors/commercial contractors register through DLI's Construction Contractor Registration Program.

$15,000 a year
Minnesota earnings figure

Minn. Stat. 326B.805 subd. 6(5): license not required for 'a person whose total gross annual receipts for performing specialty skills for which licensure would be required under this section do not exceed $15,000' (statute = at or below $15,000; DLI webpage says 'less than $15,000'). Must obtain a Certificate of Exemption from DLI by affidavit; if receipts exceed $15,000 in any calendar year, must immediately surrender the certificate and apply for a license. Separate exemption: specialty contractors providing only one special skill (except roofing).

What counts toward it: other: total gross ANNUAL receipts from residential contracting/remodeling (not per job), not reduced by cost of goods, expenses or losses (i.e., labor + materials, annual).

"(5) a person whose total gross annual receipts for performing specialty skills for which licensure would be required under this section do not exceed $15,000;"

Source: revisor.mn.gov · dli.mn.gov · checked November 2, 2026

State registration

Full license: base fee $180 plus Contractor Recovery Fund fee ($320 if gross annual receipts under $1M; $420 for $1-5M; $520 over $5M). Qualifying person must pass exam; 14 hours CE per 2-year renewal. Subcontractors not contracting with owners must register via Construction Contractor Registration Program.

Source: dli.mn.gov · checked November 2, 2026

Insurance and bond

Licensees: public liability insurance minimum $100,000 per occurrence, $300,000 aggregate, and $25,000 property damage; plus proof of workers' compensation compliance. Contractor Recovery Fund fee instead.

Source: dli.mn.gov · checked November 2, 2026

Forming an LLC in Minnesota

State filing fee: $135.

Source: revisor.mn.gov · checked November 2, 2026

What to do, in order

  1. Read the Minnesota rule and confirm with Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Construction Codes and Licensing Division (residential contractor licensing; also electrical and plumbing licensing). Subcontractors/commercial contractors register through DLI's Construction Contractor Registration Program..
  2. Line up the Martin County items listed on this page.
  3. 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.