Dawson County Business Licensing
Staff contact: Leah Prichard, lprichard@dawsoncountyga.gov
Dawson County provides many opportunities for successful business ventures. We invite you to visit the following links for additional information about establishing your business:
Georgia Secretary of State First Stop Business Information Center
The UGA Small Business Development Center - Gainesville Office.
Regulation
Business regulatory fees shall be levied, assessed, collected, and paid on and by those individuals, firms, or corporations doing business or practicing a trade in the unincorporated area of Dawson County.
Prohibited Businesses
Astrologers, bookmaking and bookmaking services, clairvoyants, fortune-tellers, gambling or gambling establishments, games of chance, palmists and phrenologists, and other occupations are prohibited by law.
Basic Requirements for a Business License
The applicant must be 18 years of age and be a U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident, or otherwise qualified alien or non-immigrant under the Federal Immigration and Nationality Act.
Types of Business Licenses
Home Office: An office use carried on by the occupant thereof that is INCIDENTAL and SECONDARY to the use of the structure as a dwelling that includes, but is not limited to, receiving or initiating correspondence, such as phone calls, mail, faxes, or email; preparing or maintaining business records; word and data processing; and telephone, mail order, direct sales (by invitation only), and off-premise sales. A home office is permitted within any residential district. The approval for a Home Office shall not 'run with the land' and shall terminate with a change in location or ownership of the Home Office or the premises.
Home Occupation: Any business, occupation, or activity undertaken for gain or profit within a residential district, except agriculturally related uses, within a residential structure that is INCIDENTAL and SECONDARY to the use of that structure as a dwelling unit or within an accessory structure that is INCIDENTAL and SECONDARY to the use of that structure as attendant to a dwelling unit. The approval for a Home Occupation shall not 'run with the land' and shall terminate with a change in location or ownership of the Home Occupation or ownership of the premises.
Commercial: Land Use (zoning) restrictions apply depending on the type of business. A certificate of occupancy and fire marshal release are required before issuance of a business license.
State Regulated Trades: State Regulated Trades must complete an affidavit and attach it to the permit.
Special Event: A business license is required for non-routine business activity that generates or invites public participation or spectators for a particular purpose and a limited period. These events can have a significant impact on county services. Special events occur on public streets, private property, or off-site from the originating business. "Special Event" includes flea markets, community yard sales, outdoor exhibitions, outdoor music festivals, and other outdoor public assemblies and agri-tourism events described and defined within the Dawson County Land Use Ordinance found on Municode.com. The County Manager and the Board of Commissioners must approve a special event business license.
Business License Fees
Please make checks payable to 'Dawson County.'
Home Office License $100.00
Home Occupation License $100.00
Commercial (Based on the number of employees)
Special Event Business License $200.00
Additional Requirements for Food Establishments
Restaurants must submit a Food Service Permit issued by the County Department of Environmental Health before a business license is issued. The phone number is (706) 265-2930.
The Dawson County Marshal's Office issues Alcohol Licensing / Pouring permits.
Grocery stores and convenience stores must submit a State Department of Agriculture Food Sales Establishment license before a business license is issued. The phone number is (770) 535-5955 or (800) 473-0119.