General contractor licenses
in Columbus, Ohio
Start with the main licenses and permits below. For a checklist based on your own business, tell us what you’re opening and how it will operate.
Researched Sep 2026
About this example
The business is a home-based general contractor located in Columbus, Ohio, serving customers in person and online, and employing W-2 employees. It primarily sells services and uses commercial vehicles as part of its operations.
Requirement labels below refer to this setup. Conditional items depend on additional details.
Authorities researched
- Federal
- Federal Government
- State
- Ohio
- County
- Franklin County
- City
- Columbus
Details to confirm before you apply
- What specific types of work will the contractor perform that may require additional licensing?
- Is the home address compliant with Columbus zoning regulations for home occupations?
- What is the current fee for the City of Columbus General Contractor License?
- What is the renewal cycle for the City of Columbus General Contractor License?
- Will the contractor be performing any of the specialty trades that require OCILB licensing?
- What is the exact scope of work planned in unincorporated Franklin County?
- Confirm with the responsible agencies whether additional requirements apply in these areas: State unemployment insurance employer account; New-hire reporting; State wage withholding account; Commercial vehicle rules; Lead-safe renovation firm certification; Individual lead-safe renovator qualification; City business license or tax registration. These areas remain unresolved in this guide.
The main licenses and permits
6 of 11- 01City of Columbus General Contractor LicenseCity of Columbus Department of Building and Zoning Services (BZS), License Section · Columbus
The business is a general contractor; Columbus requires contractors who perform structural work on four-or-more-family dwellings, commercial structures, or new construction to be registered as a City of Columbus General Contractor.
RequiredNot published - 02Columbus Income Tax Registration (CRISP account)City of Columbus Auditor, Income Tax Division · Columbus
Columbus levies a 2.5% municipal income tax on net profits of businesses doing business in Columbus, and employers must register to withhold 2.5% from employees' qualified wages earned in Columbus.
RequiredAnnual net-profit returns; quarterly employer withholding returns - 03Employer Identification Number (EIN)Internal Revenue Service (IRS) · Federal
The business will hire W-2 employees, and an EIN is required to hire employees, pay employment taxes, and open payroll accounts.
RequiredNone - 04Federal employment tax registration, deposits, and filings (income tax withholding, FICA, FUTA)Internal Revenue Service (IRS) · Federal
The business has W-2 employees, so it must withhold, deposit, and report federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and federal unemployment tax using its EIN.
RequiredRecurring (quarterly/annually) - 05Form I-9 employment-eligibility verificationU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) · Federal
Every U.S. employer must verify identity and work authorization for each employee hired.
RequiredPer new hire - 06Ohio Workers' Compensation coverage (BWC)Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) · Ohio
The business will have W-2 employees; Ohio law requires employers to obtain workers' compensation coverage from the date they first hire employees.
RequiredAnnual (premium based on payroll and classification)
This example includes 5 other potential requirements. A report based on your business explains which apply, how to file, published fees and timing, and what to complete first.
Make the checklist yours
Your location, activities, and business structure can change the list. Get a free preview for your business, then decide whether to unlock the full report for $49.
Questions people ask
What city business licenses or registrations should a general contractor in Columbus check?
This guide does not establish whether Columbus requires a stand-alone general business license or registration. Confirm that question with the city, in addition to reviewing the industry permits and registrations below.
How much do licenses and permits cost for a general contractor in Columbus?
About $120 in published fixed fees, plus variable fees. Several items have fees that depend on your entity type, square footage, or payroll, so the full report lists each fee as the agency publishes it.
What should I do first?
Review Employer Identification Number (EIN) (Internal Revenue Service (IRS)), then Federal employment tax registration, deposits, and filings (income tax withholding, FICA, FUTA) (Internal Revenue Service (IRS)), then Form I-9 employment-eligibility verification (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)). Confirm each item's applicability and prerequisites before applying; the report provides a suggested order for the full checklist.
Is this legal advice?
No. It is a research summary of public requirements published by government agencies, each linked to its official page. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.
Related guides
Researched from official government sources on September 2, 2026 for a typical general contractor. Requirements change and depend on your facts; this page is not legal advice. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.