Dawson County Business Licensing
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Dawson County Planning and Development
25 Justice Way, Suite 2322
Dawsonville, GA 30534
(706) 344.3500 x-42256
(706) 344.3652 (fax)
Welcome to the Business Licensing web page. Dawson County provides many opportunities for successful business ventures. We invite you to visit the following links for additional information about establishing your business:
Dawson County Chamber of Commerce
Dawson County Development Authority
Georgia Secretary of State First Stop Business Information Center
Starting a Business in Dawson County (Guide provided by the Chamber of Commerce)
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 such other occupations as prohibited by law.
Basic requirements for a Dawson County business license
The applicant must be 18 years of age and be a U.S. citizen or 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 ownership of 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: Allowed in a commercial zoning. Some 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.
Out of County Business Registration: Businesses not located in Dawson County that do business in this county must apply for a business registration license. The business registration license is required prior to issuance of any county building permits.
Special Event: A special event business license is required for non-routine business activity that generates or invites public participation or spectators for a particular purpose and for a limited period of time. These events have a significant impact on county services. Special events are those that occur on public streets and on 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 Land Use Ordinance of Dawson County. The County Manager and/or the Board of Commissioners must approve a special event business license.
Application Forms
| Type of License | Forms You Must Complete |
|---|---|
| Home Office |
Business License Ordinance
|
| Home Occupation |
Business License Ordinance
|
| Commercial |
Business License Ordinance
|
| Out of County Registration |
Out of County Business Registration
|
| Special Event |
Special Event Application
|
Business License Fees
Please make checks payable to 'Dawson County'
Home Office License $75.00
Home Occupation License $75.00
Variance Application $300.00 (required with Home Occupation application)
Commercial (Based on number of employees:
Commercial Fee Schedule
)
Out of County Business Registration $25.00
Special Event Business License $100.00
Other Forms and Information
Trade Name Registration Instructions
2012 Dawson County New Businesses
Additional Requirements for Food Establishments
Restaurants must submit a Food Service Permit issued by the County Department of Environmental Health before issuance of a business license. Phone number is (706) 265-2930.
Grocery stores and convenience stores must submit a State Department of Agriculture Food Sales Establishment license before issuance of a business license. Phone number is (770) 535-5955 or (800) 473-0119.