Landscaping & Lawn Care class codes

Green-industry work spans several codes with very different rates:

• Code 0042 — Landscape Gardening: planting, maintenance, and general landscape work
• Code 9102 — Lawn Maintenance: in many states, routine mowing and lawn care rates under park/grounds maintenance
• Code 0106 — Tree Trimming/Removal: substantially higher-rated — keep tree work payroll separated or excluded
• Code 8810 — Clerical: office and scheduling staff at the clerical rate

Getting the class code right matters more in this industry than almost anything else on the policy. Misclassification is one of the most common reasons landscaping and lawn care businesses overpay — and one of the first things we check when we review an existing policy. Browse our class code guides for a deeper look at how rates attach to codes.

What drives workers’ comp claims for landscaping and lawn care businesses

Outdoor crews and powered equipment produce a characteristic claim mix:

• Strains and sprains — lifting mowers on trailers, carrying materials, repetitive trimming
• Cuts and amputations — mower blades, trimmers, and chippers demand guards-on discipline
• Struck-by injuries — thrown debris and roadside work near traffic
• Heat illness — summer routes drive dehydration and heat-stroke claims
• Vehicle accidents — crews on the road between properties all day

How much does workers’ comp cost for landscaping and lawn care businesses?

Landscaping and lawn care generally price between roughly $4 and $9 per $100 of payroll depending on state, mix of work, and history — meaningfully more than shop trades, meaningfully less than tree work. On a $300,000 seasonal payroll, that’s $12,000 to $27,000, which is why the maintenance-versus-installation split and a clean mod change real money.

Because we quote landscaping and lawn care businesses across a dozen A-rated carriers — including specialists who actively want this class of business — the spread between the best and worst quote on the same account is often 20–40%. That spread is why comparison shopping matters more than any single discount.

Ways to lower your premium

• Pay-as-you-go billing — premium calculated from actual payroll each pay period, which fits the seasonal staffing patterns common in this industry
• Accurate class codes and payroll splits — clerical staff belongs in code 8810, not your governing class
• A documented safety program — carriers credit written procedures, training records, and a clean loss history
• Experience mod management — reporting claims promptly and closing them fast protects your mod at renewal
• Separate tree work — even occasional removal jobs rated under 0106 can double a policy if payroll isn’t split or subbed out

Landscaping & Lawn Care workers’ comp FAQs

What class code is lawn care for workers’ comp?

Routine lawn maintenance often rates under code 9102, while broader landscape gardening is 0042. Tree trimming and removal is code 0106 at a much higher rate — the splits between these codes are where landscapers most commonly overpay.

Do landscapers need workers’ comp in the off-season?

The policy runs year-round, but pay-as-you-go billing means premium follows actual payroll — near zero in the off-season and scaling up in spring, with no big April deposit and no year-end audit surprise.

Does workers’ comp cover heat-related illness for crews?

Yes — heat stroke and heat exhaustion arising from the work are compensable injuries in every state. Documented water, shade, and rest protocols reduce both claims and premium over time.

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