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Licensing & Inspection

Who needs a nursery license?

What is nursery stock?

How often do I need to renew my license to sell nursery stock?

What is the licensing fee?

Where can I get an application for a nursery license?

Where can I get a list of businesses licensed to sell plants in Maine?

How often will my business be inspected?

Why do you inspect businesses selling plants?

What will the inspector look for when inspecting my plants?

Who should I contact with questions regarding nursery licensing and inspection?

Who needs a nursery license?

  • Any business or individual in the state of Maine offering plant material for sale must have a license to sell nursery stock (Title 7 MRSA sec. 2171, Title 7 MRSA sec. 2211).
  • Businesses selling only cutflowers or cut Christmas trees do not require a license to sell nursery stock.
  • A license must be obtained for each location where nursery stock is sold; a single company with multiple outlets will need more then one nursery license.
  • Businesses that are found to be selling plants and fail to obtain a license may be subject to a fine of up to $500.

What is nursery stock?

Nursery stock is defined as:

  • woody plants (trees, shrubs, vines etc.) and
  • herbaceous plants (bulbs, annuals, perennials, vegetable seedlings, houseplants, etc.), but
  • does not include cutflowers or cut christmas trees.

How often do I need to renew my license to sell nursery stock?

Licenses are issued annually and need to be renewed each January. Renewal license applications are mailed to current licensees at the end of November.

What is the licensing fee?

  • Most businesses pay an annual fee of $25 per license, but
  • some small businesses (those selling less than $500 in plant material a year and having less than 150 SqFt of retail sales area) qualify for a $5 license fee.
  • Educational institutions (schools) selling plants must obtain a license, but are exempt from the licensing fee.

Where can I get an application for a nursery license?

Nursery License Application [PDF]

Where can I get a list of businesses licensed to sell plants in Maine?

List of Licensed Producers & Dealers of Nursery Stock

How often will my business be inspected?

Businesses selling plants are subject to inspection. Most businesses are inspected annually, but inspections may be conducted more or less frequently.

Why do you inspect businesses selling plants?

Inspections are conducted because plant pests can easily be moved from one area to another on plants. Inspecting plants for sale helps prevent the spread of these pests and helps to ensure the sale of healthy plant material.

What will the inspector look for when inspecting my plants?

When inspecting, horticulture staff surveys the growing area for:

  • insect,
  • disease or
  • environmental problems.

The inspector fills out an inspection report and reviews the report with the owner or grower to address and discuss any areas of concern and answer questions.

Sample Inspection Report [PDF]

Staff is available at any time to assist growers with anything from identifying and controlling a pest to help understanding a regulation. The horticulture staff has a broad knowledge base and is happy to share that knowledge to help growers improve their operations.

Who should I contact with questions regarding nursery licensing and inspection?

Contact the horticulture staff with any questions regarding nursery licensing by calling (207)287-3891 or email Horticulture.