Cleaning service licenses
in Nashville, Tennessee
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 cleaning service located in Nashville, Tennessee, operating without a commercial storefront and employing W-2 staff. It is subject to federal, state, and county regulations, including business licensing and tax registration.
Requirement labels below refer to this setup. Conditional items depend on additional details.
Authorities researched
- Federal
- Federal Government
- State
- Tennessee
- County
- Davidson County
Details to confirm before you apply
- What is the exact fee for the home occupation permit?
- What are the specific employee/customer limits for the home occupation?
- Is the cleaning service classified as taxable under state sales tax?
- What is the renewal cycle for the assumed name registration?
- Are there any additional local requirements for satellite cities within Davidson County?
- What are the vehicle registration fees based on vehicle type and weight?
- Confirm with the responsible agencies whether additional requirements apply in these areas: Federal employer obligations; Workers' compensation coverage; New-hire reporting; Commercial vehicle rules; City business license or tax registration. These areas remain unresolved in this guide.
The main licenses and permits
6 of 10- 01Davidson County Business Tax License (Business License or Minimal Activity License)Davidson County Clerk (Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County) · County
Tennessee law requires every business with a location in a county to obtain a business tax license from the county clerk, and this cleaning service operates from a home in Davidson County.
RequiredAnnual. Business tax is due annually (15th day of the 4th month after fiscal year end); minimal activity license renewal is available online. - 02Home Occupation PermitMetro Nashville Codes and Building Safety (Zoning Examinations) · County
The cleaning service operates from a home in a residential area, and Metro's home occupation ordinance requires a permit for businesses operating in residential homes.
RequiredNot published - 03Commercial Vehicle Registration with Metro Wheel TaxDavidson County Clerk, Motor Vehicle Services · County
The business uses commercial vehicles in its operations, and vehicles registered for commercial use in Davidson County pay the Metro Vehicle Regulatory Fee (wheel tax) plus registration through the county clerk.
RequiredAnnual - 04Sales and Use Tax Account RegistrationTennessee Department of Revenue · Tennessee
The business makes sales in Tennessee and must register to collect and remit sales tax on taxable sales (services and any goods sold).
RequiredNone (account remains active; returns filed per assigned frequency) - 05Franchise and Excise Tax RegistrationTennessee Department of Revenue · Tennessee
An LLC registered in Tennessee must register for and pay franchise and excise taxes.
RequiredAnnual - 06Employer Identification Number (EIN)Internal Revenue Service (IRS) · Federal
The business will hire W-2 employees, and the IRS requires an EIN to hire employees and to file payroll and excise tax returns.
RequiredNone (one-time)
This example includes 4 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 cleaning service in Nashville check?
This guide does not establish whether Nashville 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 cleaning service in Nashville?
About $196 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 LLC Articles of Organization (entity formation) (if applicable) (Tennessee Secretary of State, Business Services Division), then Assumed Name (DBA) registration (if applicable) (Tennessee Secretary of State, Business Services Division). 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 cleaning service. Requirements change and depend on your facts; this page is not legal advice. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.