Business License

U.S. Citizen/Qualified Alien Affidavit

As required by Official Code of Georgia § 50-36-1(1) any applicant for a Gwinnett County Business/Occupation Tax Certificate must execute an affidavit certifying legal presence in the United States and attach a front and back copy of one secure and verifiable document for identification. View the U.S. Citizen/Qualified Alien Affidavit and a list of approved secure and verifiable documents.

E-Verify – Private Employer

The Illegal Immigration Reform and Enforcement Act of 2011 requires private employers with more than 10 employees as of July 1, 2013 to register with and use the federal work authorization program, known as E-Verify, and to submit an E-Verify Affidavit. Please visit USCIS.gov for E-Verify registration instructions.

Business License Application Requirements

Home-Based Businesses:

• Driver’s License: Attach a copy of the owner, officer, partner, or member’s Georgia driver’s license or Georgia identification card to your application. The address on the driver’s license or ID card must be the same as the home-based business address.
• State Professional or Occupational License: Attach a copy of your state license if your profession/occupation is regulated by any state licensing board.
• Home-Based Business Disclosure: Attach a copy of your signed agreement outlining the requirements and restrictions you must adhere to as a business in a residential area.

Commercial Businesses:

• Certificate of Occupancy: Attach a copy of your Certificate of Occupancy reflecting your business' DBA name or obtain an authorized Tenant Name Change permit. Email P&D-CustomerSupportCenter@GwinnettCounty.com for assistance obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy or a Tenant Name Change permit.
• State Professional or Occupational License: Attach a copy of your state license if your profession/occupation is regulated by any state licensing board.

Additional Requirements:

• If you are selling goods, you must acquire a Sales and Use Tax ID from the Georgia Department of Revenue.
• Food sales must be licensed by the Georgia Department of Environmental Health or the Georgia Department of Agriculture
• Certain types of business are subject to Special Use Permits, like car dealerships, personal care homes, and daycares.

Business License Fee Scale

Business Occupation Tax Certificate: Gwinnett has established six tax classes, with rates ranging from $0.65 per thousand dollars of gross revenue to $1.30 per thousand dollars of gross revenue. There is a non-refundable and non-prorated $80 flat fee associated with the issuance of the Business/Occupation Tax Certificate. To determine an estimated cost, use the Gwinnett County Tax Calculator.

Certificate of Occupancy: The typical Certificate of Occupancy is $180. This includes the services of Building Plan Review and Fire Plan Review.

Tenant Name Change Permit: This permit is required in place of a Certificate of Occupancy when there is no construction taking place.