Buying a Laundromat for Sale in Atlanta: Practical Local Guide for Buyers

Searching for “laundromat for sale Atlanta” usually means you’re thinking seriously about buying a coin laundry or wash-and-fold business in the city. Atlanta can be a strong market for laundromats, but success depends heavily on location, due diligence, and understanding local rules and costs.

This guide walks through how laundromat sales work in Atlanta, what to look for, how to evaluate a deal, and which local offices and resources matter along the way.

Why Atlanta Is a Popular Market for Laundromats

Atlanta’s mix of apartment living, student housing, and dense urban neighborhoods creates steady demand for self-service laundry and wash-and-fold services.

Areas where laundromats tend to perform well often have:

• A high share of rental units
• Older multifamily buildings with no in-unit washers/dryers
• Transit-accessible corridors (MARTA bus and rail routes)
• Nearby universities or large employment centers

Neighborhoods in and around:

• Downtown and Midtown
• Georgia State University and Georgia Tech areas
• Parts of Southwest Atlanta, Westside, and Doraville / Chamblee / Clarkston (just outside city limits but still “metro Atlanta”)

often show strong laundromat demand. This doesn’t mean every business for sale in those areas is good—but it explains why listings are common there.

Where to Find a Laundromat for Sale in Atlanta

You won’t find a single central marketplace just for laundromats, but there are several common paths buyers in Atlanta use:

1. Business-for-sale Marketplaces

Many Atlanta laundromat listings appear on:

• General business-for-sale platforms
• Local classifieds and commercial marketplaces

Use search filters for:

• Location: Atlanta, GA (and optionally “Metro Atlanta,” nearby cities like Decatur, East Point, College Park, etc.)
• Category: Laundromat / Coin Laundry / Dry Cleaner

2. Local Business Brokers

A number of Atlanta-based business brokers regularly handle laundromat and small retail sales. They can help with:

• Finding off-market laundromats for sale
• Preparing and reviewing financials and lease details
• Negotiating price and terms

When you speak with a broker, ask directly if they’ve handled laundromat or coin-operated business deals in Atlanta before. Experience with this specific niche is helpful, especially around utilities, equipment, and leases.

3. Commercial Real Estate Contacts

Some commercial real estate agents in Atlanta focus on small retail strips and neighborhood centers. They may know:

• Owners looking to quietly sell existing laundromats
• Vacant spaces suitable if you want to build a new laundromat instead of buying an existing one

Key Things to Evaluate in an Atlanta Laundromat Sale

When you actually find a “laundromat for sale in Atlanta,” dig deeper than just price and pictures. Local buyers typically focus on five major areas.

1. Neighborhood and Customer Base

Look carefully at:

• Housing mix: Lots of apartments or older duplexes? Limited in-unit laundry? Good sign.
• Competition nearby: How many laundromats are within a 1–2 mile radius?
• Traffic and visibility: Is it on a main road? Near a MARTA stop? Easy parking?

Spending time at the business at different times of day and different days of the week is one of the simplest ways to gauge:

• Customer flow
• Who uses the laundromat (families, students, workers, etc.)
• Whether the area feels safe and well-lit

2. Lease Terms and Landlord Situation

In Atlanta, your lease can make or break the investment.

Key questions:

• How many years remain on the lease?
• Are there renewal options?
• What is the monthly base rent, and are there rent escalations?
• Who pays water, gas, and electricity? (Laundromats use a lot of water and power.)
• Are there restrictions on hours or adding services like wash-and-fold or vending?

If the property is in the City of Atlanta, make sure zoning is compatible with continued laundromat use (more on zoning below).

3. Equipment Condition and Age

Your biggest on-site assets are the washers, dryers, water heaters, and payment systems.

Ask the seller for:

• A list of all machines, including make, model, and year
• Recent repair and maintenance records
• Any warranties remaining

Older machines might still work, but you’ll want to factor in:

• Replacement costs (commercial washers/dryers are expensive)
• Downtime risk if parts are hard to find

In Atlanta’s competitive corridors, customers notice:

• Clean, modern machines
• Working card or app-based payment systems (not just quarters)
• Comfortable air conditioning—important in summer heat

4. Financial Performance

At minimum, request:

• Last 2–3 years of profit-and-loss statements
• Utility bills (water, gas, electric, trash) for the same time frame
• Any loan or equipment lease obligations transferring with the sale

Compare claimed income with:

• Visible customer flow
• Number of machines and average price per load
• Utility use (high water and electric costs with low reported revenue can be a red flag)

It’s common to use a local Atlanta accountant or advisor who has reviewed laundromat financials before to help make sense of the numbers.

5. Utility Capacity and Infrastructure

Atlanta laundromats rely heavily on:

• Water supply and drainage
• Gas (for dryers and water heaters)
• Electric service

Have a qualified plumber and electrician inspect:

• Main water lines and drains
• Gas lines and venting
• Electrical panels and circuits

Undersized or aging utility systems can limit growth and add large repair or upgrade costs.

Understanding Local Rules, Licenses, and Permits in Atlanta

When you purchase a laundromat in Atlanta, you’ll need to deal with:

• Business licensing
• Zoning and building regulations
• Sales tax registration
• Water/sewer billing setup

Here are the main local touchpoints.

City of Atlanta Business License

If your laundromat is inside Atlanta city limits, you must obtain a business license (Occupational Tax Certificate) from the City of Atlanta Office of Revenue.

City of Atlanta – Office of Revenue
Atlanta City Hall, 55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-330-6270

Expect to:

• Register your business entity with the State of Georgia first
• Provide federal EIN and basic business details
• Pay annual occupational tax based on gross receipts and business type

Zoning and Use Approval

Before or during the purchase process, confirm that the laundromat is a legal, conforming use at that address.

For properties inside the city:

City of Atlanta – Department of City Planning (Office of Zoning & Development)
55 Trinity Ave SW, Suite 3350, Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-330-6145

Ask about:

• Current zoning designation of the parcel
• Whether a laundromat / coin-operated laundry is permitted under that zoning
• Any conditions or restrictions on operating hours, signage, or parking

If the laundromat is in surrounding cities (Decatur, East Point, College Park, etc.), you’ll need to check with that city’s planning or zoning department instead.

Building Permits and Renovations

If you plan to:

• Replace or add machines
• Move plumbing or gas lines
• Remodel interior space

You may need permits through the City of Atlanta Office of Buildings (or the relevant local jurisdiction).

City of Atlanta – Office of Buildings
55 Trinity Ave SW, Suite 3900, Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-330-6150

Working with a licensed Atlanta contractor who regularly pulls local permits can simplify this process.

Water, Sewer, and Utilities

Laundromats in Atlanta consume significant water and sewer capacity. When changing ownership:

• Contact Department of Watershed Management to confirm or update the account.
• Verify any stormwater or sewer-related fees.

City of Atlanta – Department of Watershed Management, Customer Service
72 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
Customer Service: 404-546-0311

Also, confirm:

• Electric service (commonly Georgia Power in much of Atlanta)
• Natural gas provider (various marketers under Atlanta Gas Light distribution)

Make sure you understand:

• Average monthly utility costs under current usage
• Whether any past-due balances will affect you as the new owner

State-Level: Sales Tax and Registration

Laundromat owners in Georgia may need to register with the Georgia Department of Revenue for:

• Sales and use tax (depending on services and products offered)
• Employer withholding if you have employees

Georgia Department of Revenue – Taxpayer Services
1800 Century Blvd NE, Atlanta, GA 30345
General Information: 877-423-6711

Consult a local tax professional to ensure your particular business model is set up correctly.

Typical Costs When Buying a Laundromat in Atlanta

Purchase price is only part of the equation. Expect costs such as:

Upfront:

• Purchase price (goodwill, equipment, possibly inventory like soap and vending items)
• Security deposit with landlord, if lease is assigned or renewed
• Professional fees (attorney, accountant, inspections)
• Equipment upgrades (if machines are old or partially out of service)

Ongoing:

• Rent and CAM (common area maintenance, if in a strip center)
• Water, sewer, gas, electric, trash
• Maintenance and repairs
• Insurance (general liability, property, possibly workers’ comp)
• Payroll if you offer attended services or wash-and-fold

Simple Cost/Factor Snapshot

Financing a Laundromat Purchase in Atlanta

Financing options often include:

• SBA-backed loans through local Atlanta banks or credit unions
• Conventional business acquisition loans
• Seller financing, where the seller carries part of the purchase price as a note

To improve your financing chances, prepare:

• A business plan focused on the specific Atlanta location
• Historic financial statements for the laundromat
• Your personal financial statement and credit profile

Speaking with multiple Atlanta-area lenders can give you a clearer sense of how laundromats are being financed locally at the moment.

Legal and Professional Help: Who You May Want on Your Team

Most buyers in Atlanta rely on a small set of local professionals:

• Business attorney – for purchase agreements, lease review, and assignment conditions
• Accountant (CPA) – to evaluate financials and tax implications
• Commercial insurance agent – to quote coverage suitable for laundromats
• Contractor / equipment technician – to inspect machines and building systems

Ask specifically whether they’ve worked with coin laundries or similar service businesses in Atlanta so they’re familiar with typical issues.

Steps to Buying a Laundromat in Atlanta: A Practical Roadmap

1. Clarify your budget and goals

   • Decide how much you can invest and whether you want an unattended coin laundry, attended, or full-service wash-and-fold model.

2. Search for laundromats for sale in Atlanta

   • Use business-for-sale sites, local brokers, and commercial real estate networks.

3. Screen opportunities quickly

   • First pass: location, asking price, lease terms, and basic financials.

4. Visit top candidates in person

   • Observe traffic, cleanliness, equipment condition, and neighborhood.

5. Request detailed financials and utility bills

   • Compare seller’s numbers with what you see and expected operating costs in Atlanta.

6. Engage professionals for due diligence

   • Attorney, accountant, equipment technician, and possibly a contractor.

7. Confirm zoning, licensing, and utility status

   • Contact City of Atlanta (or relevant municipality) for zoning and business license requirements; coordinate utility transfer.

8. Negotiate purchase and lease terms

   • Purchase price, training/transition period, and any seller financing.
   • Lease length, rent, tenant improvements, and options to renew.

9. Secure financing (if needed)

   • Work with lenders familiar with small businesses in the Atlanta area.

10. Close the deal and complete registrations

    • Business license, sales tax registration (if needed), insurance, and utility accounts.

Red Flags to Watch For in Atlanta Laundromat Deals

Be cautious if you see:

• Very high asking price with no supporting financial records
• Month-to-month or short remaining lease with no renewal options
• Landlord unwilling to assign or renew the lease
• Unusually low utility costs claimed for the volume of business
• Equipment that is mostly near end-of-life with no recent maintenance
• Zoning status that is unclear or described as “grandfathered” without documentation

In Atlanta’s changing neighborhoods, redevelopment pressure can be real. If you’re near a major corridor or transit project, ask directly about the landlord’s long-term plans and any known redevelopment activity.

Buying a laundromat for sale in Atlanta can be a solid opportunity if you combine a good location with careful due diligence, clear understanding of city requirements, and a realistic view of costs. Use the local contacts and checks above to make sure the business you’re considering fits your goals and will work within Atlanta’s specific market and regulatory environment.