Florida NCCI Workers Comp Classification
FL NCCI Rate
$4.144
per $100 of payroll
2026 Florida NCCI base rate, OIR-approved, effective 1/1/2026
Same-Day COI
Available
through PEO program
For code 0042, a worker earning $800/week costs just $33.15/week in workers comp through our PEO program.
FL NCCI Rate
$4.144/$100
per $100 payroll
Risk Level
High
NCCI classification
Same-Day COI
Available
through PEO program
Approval Time
24–48 hrs
most industries
NCCI class code 0042 covers Landscaping — Lawn Maintenance in Florida. This classification is used by workers' compensation carriers to determine premium rates based on the relative injury risk of workers in this occupation. The Florida NCCI rate for code 0042 is $4.144 per $100 of payroll, placing it in the high-risk tier.
In Florida, lawn maintenance crews (mowing, edging, blowing, and routine upkeep of residential and commercial grounds) are classified under NCCI code 0042, Landscape Gardening & Drivers. At $4.144 per $100 (2026 Florida NCCI base rate, OIR-approved), a worker earning $600/week costs about $24.86/week.
Code 0042 is a non-construction classification. Florida requires workers' compensation for non-construction employers with 4 or more employees, though coverage is strongly recommended for businesses of any size to protect against catastrophic injury costs.
At $4.144 per $100 (2026 Florida NCCI base rate, OIR-approved), a worker earning $600/week costs about $24.86/week. Annual base premium for $100,000 payroll: about $4,144 before experience modification.
Official-source evidence
These Florida compliance and safety notes are linked to the governing source. They are educational information, not legal, safety, or underwriting advice.
The Florida Workers’ Compensation Joint Underwriting Association publishes a current rate table for class code 0042. This page uses the published rate of $4.144 per $100 of payroll as an educational reference; final classification, premium, and eligibility remain subject to underwriting.
Source: Florida Workers’ Compensation Joint Underwriting Association Current Florida rate table for class code 0042
Florida DFS states that non-construction employers generally must carry workers’ compensation coverage when they have four or more employees, including corporate officers or LLC members.
Source: Florida Department of Financial Services Florida employer coverage requirements
The current Florida Workers’ Compensation Joint Underwriting Association rate table lists class code 0042 as Landscape Gardening. Classification must still reflect the employer’s actual operations and be confirmed through underwriting.
Source: Florida Workers’ Compensation Joint Underwriting Association Current Florida rate table
Source register last reviewed .
Code 0042 — Florida NCCI rates
Source: Florida NCCI base rates approved by OIR (effective January 1 of each year), as posted by the FWCJUA
Florida NCCI rates for code 0042 have decreased from $6.690 to $4.144 over the past 5 years — a positive trend for employers.
No deposit. No audit. Same-day COI.
Lawn maintenance companies have seasonal fluctuations. PEO pay-as-you-go is ideal — pay only for actual weekly payroll.
No Deposit
Pay as you go each week
No Audit
Premium based on actual payroll
Same-Day COI
Instant certificate issuance
This educational scenario illustrates a potential loss exposure. It is not a reported claim or legal advice.
A lawn maintenance company with 6 workers in Manatee County. A worker is struck by debris from a mower — $8,000 claim for eye injury.
The NCCI rate for this classification reflects the frequency and severity of workers' compensation claims historically filed by workers in this occupation. The primary risks include:
Florida Statute Chapter 440 governs workers' compensation requirements. For non-construction employers classified under code 0042, coverage is required when you have 4 or more employees. However, even with fewer than 4 employees, a serious workplace injury could result in significant personal liability.
The Florida Division of Workers' Compensation conducts random job site inspections and can issue an immediate stop-work order if coverage is not current. The penalty is equal to twice the amount of premium that should have been paid, plus $1,000 per day per employee while uninsured.
Workers in this classification are subject to the following OSHA standards. Violations of these standards are the most common triggers for workers' compensation claims in this trade.
29 CFR 1910.243(e)
Power lawn mowers: Requires guarding of blades and discharge openings, operator‑presence controls, and safe shut‑off devices on walk‑behind and ride‑on mowers used by lawn crews.
29 CFR 1910.106
Flammable liquids: Governs safe storage and dispensing of gasoline and 2‑cycle fuel mixes for mowers/blowers in approved containers and prohibits unsafe refueling practices.
29 CFR 1910.95
Occupational noise exposure: Requires hearing conservation (monitoring, hearing protection, and training) when mower/blower noise exceeds the 85 dBA action level.
29 CFR 1910.1200
Hazard Communication: Mandates SDS access, labeling, and training for fuels, herbicides, fertilizers, and any other chemicals landscapers handle.
29 CFR 1910.132
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Requires a hazard assessment and provision/use of PPE such as eye/face protection, hearing protection, gloves, and sturdy footwear for mowing, edging, and trimming tasks.
These illustrative scenarios show how coverage gaps, employee classification, and penalty calculations can affect businesses under code 0042.
Orange County (2024): DFS issued a stop‑work order to a lawn maintenance company servicing HOA common areas after finding four uninsured workers and a borrowed certificate. Penalty calculated as $1,000/day/employee for 45 days ($180,000) plus twice the unpaid premium ($8,400) for a total of $188,400.
Hillsborough County (2022): A lawn company reported all payroll under 0042 lawn maintenance while crews were also doing chainsaw work over 12 feet (tree trimming) without proper reclassification or coverage. DFS assessed $1,000/day/employee for three exposed workers over 30 days ($90,000) plus twice the unpaid premium difference ($22,000) for a total of $112,000.
Collier County (2021): A residential lawn crew of seven was paid in cash with a lapsed workers’ comp policy for three months of peak season. Penalty totaled $1,000/day/employee for 90 days ($630,000) plus twice the unpaid premium ($24,000), for $654,000.
Illustrative examples only—not reported Florida DFS cases. Actual enforcement outcomes and penalty calculations depend on the facts, payroll, and duration of non-compliance.
Many standard insurance carriers restrict or decline coverage for businesses classified under code 0042. Understanding these declination triggers helps you find the right coverage path.
Mixed operations: Underwriters see 0042 lawn accounts drifting into 0106 (tree trimming) or hardscape/irrigation construction work without verifiable payroll splits, creating higher‑hazard exposure than a pure lawn‑maintenance risk.
Mobile crew auto exposure: Frequent driving with truck/trailer rigs between jobs leads to severe MVA claims on the comp side; poor MVRs, no fleet safety, and limited seat‑belt enforcement trigger declinations or surcharges.
Labor practices: Heavy use of 1099 helpers/uninsured subs and cash payroll causes audit volatility and statutory‑employer exposure that many standard carriers won’t accept for 0042.
Loss history and safety: Prior mower/edger lacerations, eye injuries from projectiles, and occasional amputations or rollovers—combined with minimal documented PPE/hearing programs—push many admitted carriers to decline or cap the risk.
Year-end workers comp audits frequently result in unexpected additional premiums for businesses classified under code 0042. These are the most common audit mistakes to avoid.
Not keeping verifiable time/payroll records to split work between 0042 lawn maintenance and any 0106 tree‑trimming or construction‑class tasks; auditors then push all field payroll to the highest‑rated exposure.
Paying helpers in cash or via apps (Zelle/Venmo) and failing to list them; auditors treat them as uninsured labor and add the amounts to 0042 payroll (and often pick up materials as proxy when records are thin).
Treating subcontract mowing crews as independent without collecting a valid Florida workers’ comp certificate or exemption for each—auditors add those payments to your 0042 payroll.
Trying to move driving time to 7380 (drivers) without dedicated drivers and contemporaneous time records; for mixed labor/driver lawn crews, all pay stays in 0042 during audit.
For 0042 lawn maintenance, the mod is highly sensitive to frequent small claims like cuts, eye injuries, and heat stress because NCCI heavily weights the primary portion of losses—so even minor medical claims can push the EMR above 1.00. A single severe loss (mower amputation or vehicle injury) can spike the mod and pricing for three policy years. A PEO with lawn‑care expertise helps by tightening mower/PPE programs, offering nurse triage and light‑duty (equipment cleaning, shop tasks) to keep claims medical‑only, and spreading risk on a master policy to stabilize your effective rate.
The Florida NCCI rate for class code 0042 (Landscaping — Lawn Maintenance) is $4.144 per $100 of payroll. For a business with $150,000 in annual payroll, the estimated annual workers comp cost is $6,216.
Yes. Through Comp Ninjas's PEO program, most businesses classified under code 0042 can be approved and receive a Certificate of Insurance (COI) within 24–48 hours. Same-day COI issuance is available in most cases once your application is complete.
Code 0042 is classified as high-risk based on its NCCI rate of $4.144 per $100 of payroll. This rate is above 5%, which means standard carriers may decline coverage or require large deposits. Our PEO program specializes in covering high-risk classifications that standard carriers decline.
A traditional policy for code 0042 requires an upfront deposit (typically 25–35% of annual premium), a year-end audit, and a minimum payroll requirement. Our PEO pay-as-you-go program calculates premium on actual payroll each cycle — no deposit, no audit, no minimum. For a business with $150,000 in annual payroll under code 0042, the annual cost would be approximately $6,216.
You can switch at any time — you don't need to wait for your current policy to expire. We handle the transition and coordinate with your current carrier to avoid any coverage gaps. Most clients are enrolled and covered within 24–48 hours of submitting their application.
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