What can a handyman do in Tallahassee, 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 Tallahassee adds
No local business tax receipt is required in Tallahassee or unincorporated Leon County. Only state registrations/licenses (DOS, DOR, DBPR where applicable) plus zoning/home-occupation compliance and building permits through City of Tallahassee Growth Management.
Source link: talgov.com · library.municode.com · checked November 2, 2026
Local business license
None found on official sources
- Fee: $0
"The City of Tallahassee does not require or issue Business/Occupational licenses. However, County, State or Federal Agencies may require a license. | Leon County Ord. 2009-31: An Ordinance Eliminating the Local Business Tax Receipt; Repealing Chapter 11, Article IV in its Entirety of the Code of Laws of Leon County, Florida, Entitled 'Local Business Tax Receipt'"
Source: talgov.com · 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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