Launch Your Landscaping Services Business in St. John's Today
This page is a practical, step-by-step guide to starting a landscaping services business in St. John's under NAICS 561730. It breaks down the nine essential requirements you’ll need to meet—covering business structure, registrations, licenses and permits, insurance, safety practices, and startup costs—and pairs them with a realistic timeline to launch, and a clear path to profitability.
You’ll learn the exact permits and registrations required in St. John's: municipal business licenses, provincial registration, and tax IDs (GST/HST if applicable). We spell out typical costs—from registration fees and insurance to equipment and branding—and lay out a clear 9-step plan you can follow to move from concept to operating smoothly, with a practical launch timeline, including milestones to track progress.
Why St. John's? A growing demand for landscaped homes and commercial spaces, seasonal work, and a friendly local business climate make this city a strong fit for a landscaping service under NAICS 561730, with steady client demand year-round.
Requirements Overview
Starting a landscaping service in St. John’s requires getting the basics in place first: register your business name, secure a local business licence, and obtain a Canada Revenue Agency Business Number (BN). These steps establish your legal and financial foundation in Newfoundland and Labrador. If you plan to operate as a formal entity, you’ll also need Newfoundland & Labrador Corporation/Business Registration or Partnership Registration, depending on your chosen structure. These registrations are the backbone of operating openly and can affect banking, contracts, and taxes.
Operational requirements focus on getting the needed health, safety, and permits in order. If you hire employees, you must have Newfoundland & Labrador WorkplaceNL coverage to protect workers and cover workplace injuries. In addition, follow standard health and safety practices for landscaping work and secure any local permits or approvals that apply to your activities (such as equipment use, waste disposal, or business location rules). Keeping safety and compliance top of mind helps you avoid fines and interruptions.
Business Registration & Tax come next. Your BN ties into important tax registrations like GST/HST and payroll deductions if you have employees. Depending on how you structure the business, you may need NL Corporation Registration (for a corporate structure) or Partnership Registration (if you’re forming a partnership). These registrations help ensure you file the right taxes, issue proper invoices, and maintain compliant records with both the provincial registry and the CRA.
You’ve got this—take the next step by listing the registrations you need and tackling them one by one. Start with confirming your business name and local licence, then set up your BN and tax registrations. If you’re unsure, reach out to a small-business advisor or the provincial/city offices in St. John’s for quick, practical guidance. With these foundations in place, you’ll be ready to focus on client work
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a landscaping services in St. John's:
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Business Name Registration RequiredRegistration to operate a business. Register through Province of Newfoundland and Labrador Corporate Registry or business services: 1. Conduct name search if applicable 2. Complete registration application 3. Submit required documents 4. Pay registration fees Contact Province of Newfoundland and Labrador government services for specific requirements and fees. Annual reporting may be required.
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Business Licence RequiredGeneral business licence required to operate a business in City of St. John's. Apply to City of St. John's for Business Licence: 1. Determine business category 2. Complete business licence application 3. Submit required documents (ID, lease, zoning confirmation) 4. Pay application and annual fees 5. Await approval and receive licence Contact City of St. John's Business Licensing for specific requirements. Home-based businesses may have different requirements. Annual renewal required.
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Business Number (BN) Registration RequiredA 9-digit Business Number is required for most businesses operating in Canada. It is used to interact with the Canada Revenue Agency and other federal programs. Required for GST/HST, payroll, corporation income tax, and import/export accounts. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) at canada.ca. Takes 15-30 minutes. As of November 3, 2025, online registration is MANDATORY for new BNs - phone registration no longer available. You'll need: business name, address, owner SIN, business type, and start date. BN (9-digit number) issued INSTANTLY online. Available 21 hours/day, 7 days/week (closed 3-6am ET for maintenance).
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Newfoundland & Labrador Corporation/Business Registration RequiredBusinesses in Newfoundland and Labrador operating under a name other than the owner's legal name must register with the Registry of Companies. This applies to sole proprietorships, partnerships, and trade names. Registration provides legal protection for the business name and is required for business operations, banking, and licensing. Registration can be completed in person or by mail. Sole proprietorship and partnership registrations must be renewed every 5 years. To register a business in Newfoundland & Labrador: 1. Reserve business name ($10 non-refundable) 2. Complete registration through CADO online portal 3. Pay incorporation fee ($270 online with share capital) 4. Receive certificate of incorporation 5. File annual returns ($75) 6. Sole proprietors only register if using trade name
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Newfoundland & Labrador WorkplaceNL Coverage ConditionalRequired if you have employees in Newfoundland. Employers in Newfoundland and Labrador must register with WorkplaceNL (Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission) and maintain coverage for workers. WorkplaceNL provides insurance for workplace injuries and occupational diseases under a no-fault system. Most employers are required to register, with some exceptions. Registration should occur before hiring the first worker. Employers pay assessments based on their industry assessment rate and assessable earnings. To register with WorkplaceNL: 1. All employers in NL must register with WorkplaceNL 2. Register online through WorkplaceNL portal 3. Report assessable earnings annually 4. Pay premiums based on industry rate ($1.73/100 avg 2024) 5. Maintain coverage and report workplace injuries 6. MCAE is $76,955 for 2024
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GST/HST Registration ConditionalRequired if annual taxable revenue exceeds $30,000 (small supplier threshold). Taxi/ride-share drivers must register regardless of revenue. Businesses with gross revenues over $30,000 in any single quarter or over four consecutive quarters must register for, collect, and remit GST/HST. Small suppliers (under $30,000) may register voluntarily. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) when your revenue exceeds $30,000 in any 4 consecutive quarters (small supplier threshold). Takes 15-30 minutes. You MUST register within 29 days of exceeding threshold and start charging GST/HST immediately on the sale that made you exceed it. Need your BN (or get one simultaneously). As of Nov 3, 2025, online registration is mandatory. Voluntary registration available anytime for input tax credits.
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Payroll Deductions Registration ConditionalRequired if you pay salaries, wages, or other remuneration to employees. Must register before first pay period. Required if you have employees. You must withhold Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Employment Insurance (EI), and income tax from employee wages and remit to CRA. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) when you hire your first employee. Takes 15-20 minutes. You'll need your Business Number (BN) or can get one simultaneously. Payroll account (RP) added to your BN instantly. Register BEFORE your first pay date. Required to deduct CPP, EI, and income tax from employee wages. For 2025: CPP rate 5.95%, EI employee rate $1.66/$100 insurable earnings.
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NL Corporation Registration ConditionalRequired if incorporating in Newfoundland. Incorporation under NL law. Register through Province of Newfoundland and Labrador Corporate Registry or business services: 1. Conduct name search if applicable 2. Complete registration application 3. Submit required documents 4. Pay registration fees Contact Province of Newfoundland and Labrador government services for specific requirements and fees. Annual reporting may be required.
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Partnership Registration ConditionalRequired for partnerships. Registration of partnerships. Register through Province of Newfoundland and Labrador Corporate Registry or business services: 1. Conduct name search if applicable 2. Complete registration application 3. Submit required documents 4. Pay registration fees Contact Province of Newfoundland and Labrador government services for specific requirements and fees. Annual reporting may be required.
Funding & Grants
Available funding programs that may apply to your landscaping services:
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Three-stream grant program for Nunavut-based artists, businesses, and organizations: (1) Getting Started/Arts Creation/Training — supports education, training, art supplies, equipment; (2) Arts and Culture Development — supports collaborative arts initiatives, exhibitions, shows, and touring; (3) Infrastructure Development — supports studios and cultural tourism infrastructure. Annual call for proposals.
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Provided contributions to settlement, employment, and community organizations delivering programs addressing employment barriers for racialized newcomer women, including work placements, mentorships, job counselling, and support for gender- and race-based discrimination. Program renewal ended in 2025; no new open call as of early 2026. Over 2,200 racialized newcomer women were served …
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