What can a handyman do in Duval, FL?
Florida's small-job figure is $2,500. The exact wording below decides whether a job fits.
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s. 489.103(9) F.S.: work 'of a casual, minor, or inconsequential nature in which the aggregate contract price for labor, materials, and all other items is less than $2,500' (strictly UNDER $2,500). Does not apply if part of a larger operation or split to evade, or to anyone who advertises as a contractor / represents being qualified to contract.
What counts toward it: labor+materials (aggregate contract price for labor, materials, and all other items)
"(9) Any work or operation of a casual, minor, or inconsequential nature in which the aggregate contract price for labor, materials, and all other items is less than $2,500, but this exemption does not apply:"
Source: flsenate.gov · leg.state.fl.us · checked November 2, 2026
What Duval adds
One Local Business Tax Receipt from the Duval County Tax Collector (taxcollector.jacksonville.gov) for any business operating in Jacksonville/Duval; Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach and Baldwin add their own. Local trade competency via Jacksonville Construction Trades Qualifying Board (Ch. 342).
Source link: taxcollector.jacksonville.gov · jacksonville.gov · library.municode.com · checked November 2, 2026
Local business license
Required
- Name: Jacksonville/Duval County Local Business Tax Receipt (one consolidated receipt; separate municipal BTRs only in Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Baldwin)
- Office: Duval County Tax Collector - Local Business Tax, 231 E.
- Fee: varies by classification (COJ BTR calculator)
"If you own or operate a business in Jacksonville/Duval County, you must obtain a Local Business Tax Receipt (known as an Occupational License prior to 2007)."
Source: taxcollector.jacksonville.gov · checked November 2, 2026
Local contractor or handyman license
Required
- Name: City of Jacksonville certificate of competency (Construction Trades Qualifying Board, Ord. Code Ch. 342) for listed trades incl. carpentry subcontractor; no handyman category
- Trigger: performing a trade/craft listed in Sec. 342.110 without state certification
"The Board ensures that the members of the construction industry in general building, residential, roofing, pool, sheet metal, electrical, heating/air-conditioning/refrigeration, plumbing, water treatment installations, irrigation, natural gas, pool subcontractors and carpentry subcontractors meet the competency ... qualifications"
Source: jacksonville.gov · checked November 2, 2026
Jobs a handyman usually takes
Examples of everyday jobs that stay inside a small-job rule when the whole job fits the wording above. This is an example list, not a legal one:
- Mounting TVs, shelves, mirrors and pictures
- Assembling furniture and flat-pack cabinets
- Patching drywall and interior painting
- Caulking, weatherstripping and sealing
- Repairing doors, locks, screens and windows
- Basic carpentry, trim and small repairs
- Pressure washing and gutter cleaning
Trade work in Florida
State-level: CILB licenses plumbing, mechanical, air-conditioning and other Division II specialty contractors; ECLB (ch. 489 Part II) licenses electrical and alarm contractors. The $2,500 exemption in 489.103(9) is in Part I (CILB trades). Separate s. 489.103(14) exempts selling/servicing/installing ductless cord-and-plug HVAC units <=3 tons/36,000 Btu.
Source: flsenate.gov · checked November 2, 2026
When a permit changes the answer
Yes in practice. The statute text does not mention permits, but DBPR's official notice says 'casual, minor and inconsequential' is defined in Rule 61G4-12.011 F.A.C. and 'essentially means, when no permit is required.' So permitted work is outside the exemption.
Source: www2.myfloridalicense.com · checked November 2, 2026
Nearby places
Rules change. This page shows what official sources said on the dates above. It is not legal advice, so confirm with the office named before you take the job.
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