South Fulton Business License: City Occupation Tax Certificate, March 31 Renewal and Online Application

If your business operates inside the City of South Fulton, the local license you need is an occupation tax certificate, which most people call the city business license. Fulton County does not license businesses inside city limits, so the City of South Fulton issues this certificate for businesses located in the city. This guide covers who needs one, the state steps that come first, the documents to gather, how the online application works, the March 31 renewal deadline, and the rules for running a business out of a home.

Who Needs a South Fulton Business License

Any person, firm, company or corporation operating a business in the city must register, obtain an occupation tax certificate for the business or office, and pay the required taxes and fees. This covers limited liability companies and professional corporations as well as sole proprietors and partnerships.

The issuer follows the location of the premises, not the mailing address. A business with a Fulton County or Atlanta mailing address can still owe South Fulton if its office, storefront, warehouse or home workspace is inside city limits. Confirm the address of the premises before you apply.

State Steps to Complete First

Georgia has no general statewide business license. The Secretary of State issues none, and sales tax registration with the Department of Revenue is not a business license. Most businesses work through three steps in this order:

1. Register the entity with the Georgia Secretary of State Corporations Division (sos.ga.gov/corporations-division). An LLC files Articles of Organization and a corporation files Articles of Incorporation. Each costs $110, online or on paper. Annual registration with the Secretary of State is a separate filing covered in our annual registration guide.
2. Register with the Department of Revenue through the Georgia Tax Center (gtc.dor.ga.gov) if you sell taxable goods or have employees. Sales tax registration there is free, and Georgia issues no separate resale permit.
3. Add the local license and any state board license your activity requires. Occupational licenses for contractors, electricians, cosmetologists and similar trades come from state boards, not from the city.

For general agency information, see the Department of Revenue at dor.georgia.gov.

Documents to Gather Before You Apply

The city lists the following items. Have them scanned and ready, since the application is completed entirely online.

• A government issued photo ID
• Proof of the business address, such as a lease, deed, utility bill or residency affidavit
• A business license review form describing the business and its daily operations
• Your federal EIN and Georgia taxpayer ID
• A notarized E-Verify private employer affidavit. Private employers with more than 10 employees must file this affidavit to get the local certificate under O.C.G.A. 36-60-6.
• The affidavit verifying status for a public benefit
• The Secretary of State control number, and a trade name (DBA) registration where it applies
• The active state license for a regulated profession, where it applies
• Department of Public Health or Department of Agriculture approvals, where they apply
• Alcohol beverage license materials and police department steps, where they apply
• A fire inspection by the South Fulton Fire Department (explained below)

Check Zoning Before You Apply

Zoning is the step most applicants skip, and it is the one that can stop an application. Check the property against the city's GIS mapping tool and the code of ordinances, or request a Zoning Verification Letter from the city. A business that is not allowed at the address will not be licensed there, whatever the paperwork looks like.

If you own or manage multifamily rental property with four or more units, plan for an annual inspection.

Fire Inspection Requirements

Every business needs a fire inspection by the South Fulton Fire Department. Schedule it after any repairs or build out work is finished, because the inspector checks the space as it will operate. A home based business does not need one unless clients visit the home, as with child care or personal care homes.

How to Apply Online and How Long It Takes

All applications must be completed online through the city's business license portal, which you can reach from the City of South Fulton website. The Business License Department does not accept in person applications. If you need help, email [email protected] to schedule a meeting.

Processing can take 60 to 90 days, depending on workload. Apply early, especially if you plan to open on a fixed date, sign a lease, or start hiring.

Renewal: The March 31 Deadline

South Fulton occupation tax certificates are valid from January 1 to December 31. The city says to renew on or before March 31. Penalties and interest begin April 1: a 10 percent penalty plus 1.5 percent interest for each month or part of a month.

One older city handout says licenses 'must be renewed by December 31,' with late fees after March 31. Treat March 31 as your deadline and do not wait for the penalty date. The city's amnesty for past due accounts earlier in 2026 has ended. If you owe back fees, contact the department now.

Date	What Happens
January 1	The license year begins
March 31	Renewal due
April 1	Penalty and interest begin: 10 percent penalty plus 1.5 percent interest per month or part of a month
December 31	The license year ends

Fees: Confirm the Current Amounts

The city's published pages do not give a tax rate or fee schedule for this license. Older notices list amounts that are out of date, so do not budget from them. Ask the Business License Department or review the application in the portal before you file.

Some professions carry a per-professional tax. Georgia law lets a local government set up to $400 as a ceiling for certain listed professions. It is not a flat charge that applies to every business.

Home Occupation License Rules

A home based business needs the city license and must follow the city's home occupation rules. The city's informational sheet sets these limits:

Rule	Limit
Location	A small secondary use of the home, run inside the home. Accessory buildings are not allowed.
Space	No more than 25 percent of the home or 750 square feet, whichever is less
People on site	Residents plus up to two non-resident employees at any one time
Business vehicles	Up to two at the home. No semi trucks, box trucks, tow trucks or trailers.
Appearance	Nothing about the business may be visible from outside
Deliveries	Ordinary cars or standard parcel services only

The space limit is the lesser of the two numbers. In a 2,000 square foot home, 25 percent is 500 square feet, so the limit is 500. In a 4,000 square foot home, 25 percent is 1,000 square feet, so the 750 square foot cap applies.

Cottage food operators need no state license since July 1, 2025 under HB 398. Local business licensing and zoning still apply, so a home kitchen business still needs the South Fulton certificate.

Businesses Not Allowed in a Home

Certain businesses cannot operate from a residence under the city's rules, regardless of size:

• Auto repair
• Restaurants or food service
• Animal boarding
• Funeral homes
• Motels
• Medical or dental offices, except therapy and telemedicine
• Private clubs

Contact the Business License Department

Office	Business License Department, 5440 Fulton Industrial Boulevard, South Fulton, GA
Phone	470-809-7200
Email	[email protected]
City Community Relations line	470-552-4311

Disclaimer

This guide is informational only. It is not legal or tax advice. Licensing rules, zoning requirements and fees change, so confirm current requirements with the City of South Fulton Business License Department before you apply. For complex situations, such as multiple owners, a regulated profession, or a business with employees, consult a qualified attorney or CPA. The Georgia Small Business Development Center at the University of Georgia offers free guidance at georgiasbdc.org.