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.

 What is e-verify?

 

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.