How to Apply for a City of Atlanta Business License: A Step‑by‑Step Guide

If you’re planning to do business in Atlanta, you’ll almost always need a City of Atlanta business license, officially called a business occupation tax certificate. Whether you’re opening a restaurant in Midtown, running a salon on the Westside, or freelancing from your home in Southeast Atlanta, getting licensed is a key step.

This guide walks you through how business licensing works specifically in Atlanta, Georgia—what type of license you need, how to apply, what it costs, and what to expect.

Do You Need a City of Atlanta Business License?

In Atlanta, most people doing business inside city limits need a license, including:

• Retail and restaurants
• Professional services (lawyers, consultants, accountants, designers)
• Contractors and trades (if your base of operations is in Atlanta)
• Home-based businesses (including many freelancers)
• Online businesses operating from an Atlanta address
• Short-term rentals and some property-based businesses

You generally need a City of Atlanta business license if:

• You’re earning income from activities in Atlanta, and
• You have a physical address or base of operations in the city (including your home), or
• You are regularly conducting business inside the City of Atlanta (not just passing through).

If your business is located outside Atlanta city limits but you do work in multiple cities in the region, you may still need a separate license for each city where you operate regularly, depending on local rules.

Who Issues Business Licenses in Atlanta?

Business licenses for the City of Atlanta are handled by the:

Office of Revenue – Business License Division
Atlanta City Hall
55 Trinity Avenue SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

This division manages:

• New business occupation tax certificates (business licenses)
• Renewals
• Changes to existing business information
• Closure of business accounts

Business licensing is city-level, separate from:

• State of Georgia registrations (like LLC or corporation formation)
• State professional licenses (e.g., real estate, cosmetology, law, medicine)
• County-level property taxes

You may need several layers of compliance:

1. State entity registration (if applicable),
2. Any state professional license, and
3. Your City of Atlanta business license.

Key Steps to Apply for a City of Atlanta Business License

Here’s the typical process most Atlanta business owners follow:

1. Confirm your business location is in City of Atlanta limits
2. Choose your business structure and register with the state (if needed)
3. Confirm zoning and any special permits
4. Gather required information and documents
5. Complete the City of Atlanta business license application
6. Estimate and pay your business occupation tax & fees
7. Receive your license and post it at your place of business

Let’s walk through each step in more detail.

1. Check That Your Address Is Inside the City of Atlanta

Many Atlanta-area addresses say “Atlanta,” but they may actually be in unincorporated Fulton County, DeKalb County, or another city like Sandy Springs or Brookhaven. Only addresses inside the City of Atlanta city limits need a City of Atlanta license.

To avoid mistakes:

• Look at your property tax statement or lease to see which city/jurisdiction is listed.
• Use a city limits map or address lookup tool from local government sources.
• If you’re unsure, you can call the Office of Revenue or local zoning/planning staff for confirmation.

This matters because:

• If you’re actually in another city, you will need that city’s business license instead.
• Being outside Atlanta city limits may change which zoning, signage, or permit rules apply.

2. Set Up Your Business Structure and State Registrations

Before applying for a City of Atlanta business license, you should know your legal structure:

• Sole proprietorship
• Partnership
• LLC (Limited Liability Company)
• Corporation (C‑corp, S‑corp)

Common state-level tasks (as applicable):

• Registering your LLC or corporation with the State of Georgia
• Filing a trade name (DBA) if you are using a business name different from your legal name
• Obtaining any required state professional license (e.g., contractors, barbers, real estate agents, health professions)

The city will usually ask for:

• Your legal business name
• Any DBA/trade name
• Your entity type (LLC, corporation, etc.)
• Your federal EIN (or Social Security Number for some sole proprietors)
• Your state control or registration number (if you formed an entity)

3. Confirm Zoning and Special Permits in Atlanta

Zoning is important in Atlanta, especially if:

• You have a physical retail or office location
• You’re opening a restaurant, bar, salon, auto shop, or similar
• You’re running a home-based business

Typical zoning-related steps:

• Verify your address is properly zoned for your planned use
• Check if you need a special use permit or variance
• For home-based businesses, be sure you understand limits on:
  • Signage
  • Number of employees on-site
  • Customer visits
  • Storage of materials or equipment

Some business types may also require:

• Building permits (if you’re doing a build-out)
• Fire inspections (restaurants, assembly spaces, warehouses, etc.)
• Health inspections (food service, some personal care businesses)
• Alcohol licenses (if you serve or sell alcohol)

It is often easier to address zoning and building/inspection issues before you submit your business license application, especially for brick-and-mortar locations.

4. Gather the Information You’ll Need

When you apply for a City of Atlanta business license, you’ll usually be asked for:

• Business name and DBA (if any)
• Business address (physical location in Atlanta)
• Mailing address (if different)
• Ownership information
  • Names of owners, partners, or corporate officers
  • Percent ownership shares (if applicable)
• Federal EIN or SSN (depending on structure)
• Georgia entity or control number (for LLCs/corporations)
• Business type and activity description
  • For example: “full-service restaurant,” “professional consulting services,” “online retail,” “hair salon,” “general contracting”
• Estimated gross revenue for your first year in Atlanta
• Number of employees working in Atlanta
• Start date of business in the city
• Any required supporting documents, which may include:
  • Copy of your state business registration
  • Copy of lease or deed (for physical locations)
  • Professional or state licenses (for regulated occupations)
  • Required approvals or inspections for certain uses

Organizing these documents before you start the application will make the process faster.

5. Complete the City of Atlanta Business License Application

The City of Atlanta uses a business occupation tax certificate application rather than something labeled simply “business license.” But in practice, this is your business license.

You can generally apply:

• Online through the city’s business licensing portal (if available and applicable to your business type), or
• By mail or in person at City Hall, especially for more complex businesses that require extra review.

Common sections of the application

You’ll usually see sections for:

1. Business identification
   • Legal name, DBA, structure, federal EIN, state number
2. Location information
   • Street address in Atlanta, suite number, zoning category (if known)
3. Ownership and responsible party
   • Owner(s) or officer information; contact for official notices
4. Business activity section
   • Short description, NAICS code or similar classification
5. Revenue projection
   • Estimated gross receipts (before expenses) for your first year
6. Employee count
   • Number of full-time and part-time employees in Atlanta
7. Declarations and signatures
   • Statement that information is correct and you will comply with city ordinances

Be as accurate and honest as possible, especially on estimated revenue, because it affects your tax and license fee.

6. Understand the Business Occupation Tax and Fees

In Atlanta, your “business license” is tied to a business occupation tax. This is not a sales tax or income tax; it’s a local tax and fee based largely on:

• Your type of business, and
• Your gross revenue (gross receipts) from business activities in Atlanta.

Typical cost components

A business license bill in Atlanta may include:

• A base administrative fee
• A tax portion calculated from:
  • Your gross receipts, often within a bracket or tier, and/or
  • A rate linked to your business classification (such as a per-$1,000 revenue amount)
• Possible additional fees for:
  • Certain regulated industries
  • Late filing or late payment
  • Special permits (where applicable)

For a new business, the city may ask you to:

• Estimate your first-year gross receipts
• Pay a tax amount based on that estimate

Later, at renewal time, you will report actual gross receipts and the city may adjust the amount due.

7. Submit, Pay, and Receive Your License

Once your City of Atlanta business license application is complete:

1. Submit it through the city’s accepted method (online, mail, or in person).
2. Pay the required fees and tax based on your business classification and revenue estimate.
3. Wait for processing and approval, which can vary depending on:
   • Whether your application is complete
   • Whether your business type needs additional review or inspections
4. After approval, you will receive your business occupation tax certificate, often referred to as your business license.

Atlanta businesses are typically required to:

• Display the business license in a visible place at the business location, or
• Keep it readily available for inspection for home-based or mobile businesses.

Common Business Types and Extra Atlanta Requirements

Different businesses in Atlanta can face different layers of approval. Here are examples that often need more than just the standard license:

Restaurants, Cafés, Food Trucks, and Food Prep

Expect to deal with:

• Health inspections and permits
• Grease trap or environmental requirements (for full kitchens)
• Possible fire inspections
• For alcohol service, separate alcohol licensing and public hearing processes

Salons, Barbershops, Spas, and Personal Care

Often require:

• State cosmetology or barber licenses for practitioners
• Compliance with health and sanitation requirements
• City inspection or review for some services

Contractors and Trade Businesses

Depending on your trade:

• State contractor licensing may be required
• Permits for specific projects in Atlanta (building, electrical, mechanical, etc.)
• Maintaining a City of Atlanta business license if your business base is in the city

Home-Based Businesses in Atlanta

Many small and solo operations in Atlanta are home-based. Typical considerations:

• Zoning rules about operating a business from a residence
• Limits on:
  • On-site employees who do not live there
  • Number of client visits per day
  • Visible signage or exterior changes to the home
• Parking or traffic impact in residential neighborhoods

You still usually need a business license even if you’re working from home, as long as you’re operating a business and located within city limits.

Renewal: Keeping Your City of Atlanta Business License Active

Once you have your license, your responsibilities don’t stop. In Atlanta, business licenses are:

• Issued for a set period (commonly one calendar year)
• Renewed annually, with:
  • A renewal application
  • Updated actual gross receipts for the prior year
  • Payment of the tax and fees due for the new year

To avoid late fees or compliance problems:

• Keep track of renewal deadlines—Atlanta typically sets a specific date each year.
• Retain good records of your gross receipts from Atlanta operations.
• Update the city when key details change, such as:
  • Business name or DBA
  • Physical address within or outside Atlanta
  • Ownership or corporate structure
  • Closing the business

If you close your business, it is important to formally notify the City of Atlanta. Otherwise, the city may continue to bill you for occupation tax and license fees.

Quick Reference: Atlanta Business License Basics

Practical Tips for Atlanta Business Owners 📝

• Start early: If your business needs inspections (restaurants, salons, etc.), begin the process well before your intended opening date.
• Be honest with revenue estimates: Underestimating your first-year gross receipts can cause adjustments or issues at renewal.
• Keep your address updated: Moving from one Atlanta location to another, or moving out of city limits, can change your licensing requirements.
• Coordinate state and city: Your Georgia registration and City of Atlanta license are separate; you often need both.
• Check zoning first: Especially for storefronts or home-based operations, zoning surprises can slow or stop your launch.

By following these steps and understanding how business licensing works in the City of Atlanta, you’ll be in a much better position to open and operate your business confidently and in compliance with local rules.