What can a handyman do in San Jose, CA?
California's small-job figure is $1,000. The exact wording below decides whether a job fits.
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 San Jose adds
Anyone doing business in San José, even without an office there, must register for a Business Tax Certificate within 90 days: base $222.89/yr (1-2 employees) + $4 state fee. Correct link: https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments-offices/finance/business-tax-registration
Source link: sanjoseca.gov · sanjoseca.gov · sanjoseca.gov · checked November 2, 2026
Local business license
Required
- Name: City of San José Business Tax Certificate
- Office: City of San José Finance Department - Business Tax, 200 E. Santa Clara St, (408) 535-7055 opt 2, BusinessTax@sanjoseca.gov
- Fee: Base tax $222.89/yr for 1-2 employees (rate starting July 1, 2025 as posted) plus per-employee increments, plus $4 state fee
"Every person or company conducting business in San José must register for a Business Tax Certificate. Payment is due within 90 days of starting business in San José. ... All persons or companies conducting business in San José must obtain the business tax certificate, even if they do not have an office in the City."
Source: sanjoseca.gov · checked November 2, 2026
Local contractor or handyman license
None found on official sources
"No separate city contractor/handyman license found."
Source: sanjoseca.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
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.