What can a handyman do in Los Angeles, CA?
California's small-job figure is $1,000. The exact wording below decides whether a job fits.
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Aggregate contract price for labor, materials, and all other items is LESS THAN $1,000 (so $999.99 max; $1,000 exactly needs a license), on one undertaking/project by one or more contracts; work must not require a building permit; no employees/helpers; no advertising as a contractor; no splitting a larger job into sub-$1,000 contracts (B&P Code 7048).
What counts toward it: labor+materials
"must be licensed by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) if the project requires a building permit or uses any additional workers or the total cost (labor and materials) of one or more contracts on the project is $1,000 or more."
Source: cslb.ca.gov · law.justia.com · checked November 2, 2026
What Los Angeles adds
Every person engaged in business in the City of Los Angeles needs a BTRC from the Office of Finance. That includes out-of-city contractors who physically work in the City 7 or more days a year. Contractors are taxed under LAMC 21.188 (minimum $153 per year, then by gross receipts). Small businesses may qualify for the Small Business Exemption (LAMC 21.29) only by filing renewals on time. There is no city contractor license
Source link: finance.lacity.gov · finance.lacity.gov · business.lacity.gov · checked November 6, 2026
Local business license
Required
- Name: Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC/TRC), LAMC Sec. 21.03
- Office: City of Los Angeles Office of Finance (Customer Service (844) 663-4411; register online at latax.lacity.org)
- Fee: Contractors taxed under LAMC 21.188; minimum tax $153.00 per year, then based on gross receipts; Small Business Exemption (LAMC 21.29) available for small gross receipts if renewal filed on time
"Every person who engages in business within the City of Los Angeles is required to obtain the necessary TRC(s) and pay the business tax or obtain an exemption... You are considered to be engaged in business in the City of Los Angeles when you physically perform work within the City of Los Angeles for seven (7) or more days per year... Contractors ... are subject to tax under LAMC Section 21.188. The minimum tax under"
Source: finance.lacity.gov · checked November 6, 2026
Local contractor or handyman license
None found on official sources
"Contractors (defined as persons who construct, alter, repair, etc., any building, highway, road or other structure) are subject to tax under LAMC Section 21.188."
Source: finance.lacity.gov · checked November 6, 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
When a permit changes the answer
Yes - if the work requires a building permit (any permit, per CSLB bulletin), the exemption does not apply regardless of price.
Source: cslb.ca.gov · cslb.ca.gov · 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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