For vendors · Building the bench

Property maintenance work in Highlands County, Florida.

1Stop Service Pro is taking maintenance vendors in Highlands County, Florida, in all 33 trades. Joining costs nothing, 1Stop dispatches the work and is the contracting party, and vendors are paid net-14. Highlands County has no response target yet: one is set once enough vetted vendors work the county.

Cost to join: $0
Payment terms: Net-14
County status: Building the bench
Largest city12,059 residents, Census 2025 estimate: Sebring
County business tax: Repealed
Last updated: October 7, 2026

Today

What does 1Stop need in Highlands County?

Vendors, in every trade. 1Stop is building its bench in Highlands County, and the county gets a response target once enough vetted vendors work it, and not before.

The county

Where would a Highlands County vendor drive?

Sebring is the county seat and the largest of Highlands County's three incorporated places, with 12,059 residents in the Census Bureau's 2025 estimate. Avon Park, a city, has 10,514, and Lake Placid, a town, has 2,599.

That leaves 77% of the county's 111,122 residents outside any city or town, so most Highlands County addresses answer to the county. The county grew 9.8% between 2020 and 2025.

Highlands County borders five other counties in 1Stop's region: DeSoto, Hardee, Okeechobee, Osceola and Polk. The application takes every Florida county you will drive to, so list them all.

For roofing and restoration crews: FEMA designated Highlands County for Individual Assistance after Hurricane Ian (2022) and Hurricane Milton (2024).

Sebring: 12,059 residents
Avon Park: 10,514 residents
Lake Placid: 2,599 residents

Local considerations

Local specialty contractor licenses

The county's building page says some locally authorized specialty licenses may continue: fencing, and vinyl gutters, siding, soffit and fascia.

Getting set up

What does a vendor need to work in Highlands County?

Highlands County no longer levies a county business tax. The Highlands County Board of County Commissioners repealed the Occupational License/Business Tax Ordinance on July 24, 2006. A city inside the county can still levy its own, under section 205.042 of the Florida Statutes.

A contractor the state licenses through DBPR that has paid the business tax where its business is based owes no other city or county a business tax for temporary work there (section 205.065).

Building permits for unincorporated Highlands County go through the county's Building Division.

A registered contractor can work only where its registration applies, so for work here it has to cover Highlands County; a certified one works anywhere in Florida. 1Stop holds the license on file in the licensed trades, with a certificate of insurance and a W-9 for everyone.

County business tax: Repealed
Building permits: Building Division
Check a Florida license: Verify a Licensee

Landscaping and irrigation

When can a lawn be watered in Highlands County?

The Southwest Florida Water Management District has extended its Modified Phase III water shortage restrictions through March 31, 2027, and they cover parts of Highlands County. Lawn watering is limited to one day a week, set by the last digit of the address, and the district tells residents to check their city or county first, since many set their own day and hours.

Part of Highlands County lies in the South Florida Water Management District, whose year-round landscape watering restrictions set the days by whether the address ends in an odd or an even number.

Southwest Florida Water Management District: Watering rules
South Florida Water Management District: Watering rules

Trades

Which trades can apply for Highlands County?

Questions

What vendors ask about Highlands County.

How do I get property maintenance work in Highlands County?

Apply to 1Stop's vendor network and list Highlands County among the counties you drive to. 1Stop reviews and approves your application, checks your certificate of insurance, W-9 and any license your trade needs, and dispatches work once that file is complete. Joining is free, and payment is net-14.

What does 1Stop dispatch in Highlands County today?

Not yet: 1Stop signs Highlands County vendors first. Then a manager requests service like an Uber ride and is paired at once with the best match for the job, not just the cheapest.

Is Sebring the largest city in Highlands County?

Yes. Sebring is the county seat and the largest incorporated place, with 12,059 residents. Avon Park has 10,514 and Lake Placid has 2,599. The rest of the county, 77% of its residents, lives outside all three.

Who issues building permits in Highlands County?

The county's Building Division, which its own page says exists to protect the public's health, safety and welfare in the construction, use and occupancy of buildings and structures.

Does Highlands County require a business tax receipt?

Not a county one. The Highlands County Board of County Commissioners repealed the Occupational License/Business Tax Ordinance on July 24, 2006. A city in Highlands County can still levy its own.

Which nearby counties can a Highlands County vendor add?

DeSoto, Hardee, Okeechobee, Osceola and Polk: each borders Highlands County and is in 1Stop's region.

Neighbouring counties

Highlands County for property managers

Highlands County, every trade

Guides for vendors

Sources

Where these facts come from.

Last updated October 7, 2026

Work in Highlands County? Apply.

It costs nothing to join. List your trades and every county you drive to, and 1Stop reviews your application.

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