What can a handyman do in Ridgeland, MS?
Mississippi's small-job figure is $10,000. The exact wording below decides whether a job fits.
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Miss. Code 73-59-1: 'Remodeler' means one who for compensation undertakes improvements to an existing residence 'when the total cost of the improvements exceeds Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00).' License required only ABOVE $10,000 (a job of exactly $10,000 is under the definition). 'Residential builder' threshold: total cost of undertaking exceeds $50,000. Owner-occupant, relatives, and owner-supervised projects exempt (73-59-15).
What counts toward it: labor+materials (statute: 'total cost of the improvements')
"undertakes or offers to undertake the construction, or superintending of the construction, of improvements to an existing residence when the total cost of the improvements exceeds Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00)."
Source: msboc.us · checked November 2, 2026
What Ridgeland adds
Ridgeland (Madison County): Privilege License for a business located in Ridgeland (Administration Dept 601-856-7113, after Community Development zoning approval and inspection). Anyone contracting in Ridgeland needs a City General Contractor License: application, $5,000 bond on city form, photo ID, State Certificate of Responsibility if applicable; contact Community Development, 100 West School St, 601-856-3877. Forms: https://www.ridgelandms.org/licenses-forms-permits/
Source link: ridgelandms.org · ridgelandms.org · ridgelandms.org · checked November 2, 2026
Local business license
Depends
- Name: City of Ridgeland Privilege License
- Applies when: CONDITIONAL
- Office: Privilege License Application: Administration Department (601-856-7113); zoning/inspection sign-off by Community Development (601-856-3877)
- Fee: Not stated on the form (set by code section)
"Zoning Department must approve all new business applications. All applicants for a business license must schedule a Privilege License Inspection. ... Privilege License Application (Administration Department) 601-856-7113"
Source: ridgelandms.org · checked November 2, 2026
Local contractor or handyman license
Required
- Name: City of Ridgeland General Contractor License (and Sub-Contractor License for trades)
- Trigger: Contracting in Ridgeland / pulling city building permits. GC: application, State Certificate of Responsibility from MS State Board of Contractors (if applicable), $5,000 license bond on city form, photo ID in person. Sub-contractor (electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas): license held in a MS municipality for 1+ year, $5,000 bond, $300,000 general liability, $25 fee per license (waived with State Certificate of Responsibility).
"Applicants must provide the following before a license can be issued: 1. Completed and signed general contractor license application 2. Photocopy of current State Certificate of Responsibility from the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (if applicable) 3. ($5,000) License Bond."
Source: ridgelandms.org · 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
When a permit changes the answer
No - license threshold is cost-based only. However 73-59-17: local permit officials 'shall refuse to issue a permit' for any undertaking requiring a license unless applicant shows license or exemption, and must report unlicensed applicants to the board. County/municipal permits must show the contractor's license/certificate number (19-5-9(11) as quoted in 2025 HB1073 text).
Source: msboc.us · billstatus.ls.state.ms.us · 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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