Online store licenses
in Atlanta, Georgia
Start with the main licenses and permits below. For a checklist based on your own business, tell us what you’re opening and how it will operate.
Researched Sep 2026
About this example
The business is an online store based in Atlanta, Georgia, selling tangible goods and operated from home with no employees. It is subject to state and local licensing requirements, including those from Fulton County and the City of Atlanta. Legal structure is not specified in this example; entity formation applies only if that structure is chosen.
Requirement labels below refer to this setup. Conditional items depend on additional details.
Authorities researched
- County
- Fulton County
- City
- City of Atlanta
Details to confirm before you apply
- What specific goods will be sold, and do any require additional permits?
- Is the business name different from the LLC's legal name, necessitating a DBA?
- What are the exact limitations for home occupations in the Atlanta zoning code?
- What is the current application fee for the Occupational Tax Certificate?
- Are there any additional local regulations for home-based businesses in Atlanta?
- Will the business expand to include employees in the future?
- Confirm the legal structure before using entity-formation instructions or including entity-specific fees in the startup budget.
The main licenses and permits
6 of 6- 01Georgia Sales and Use Tax Registration (Certificate of Registration / sales tax number)Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) · Georgia
The business sells tangible goods to customers, which makes it a 'dealer' under O.C.G.A. § 48-8-2, and Georgia requires dealers to register 'regardless of whether all sales will be online'.
RequiredNone — registration remains in effect as long as the business operates with no change in ownership or structure - 02City of Atlanta Occupational Tax Certificate (Business License)City of Atlanta Department of Finance, Office of Revenue · Atlanta
An Occupational Tax Certificate is required of all businesses operating within Atlanta city limits, including home-based businesses.
RequiredAnnual. Certificates are valid January 1 – December 31. Renewal season runs January 2 – February 15; payment is due by April 1. - 03Zoning Review / Zoning Verification for Business License (home occupation)City of Atlanta Department of City Planning, Office of Buildings - Zoning Enforcement Division · Atlanta
A zoning review and approval is required for every business location, including a home-based business; home occupations are permitted accessory uses subject to zoning code § 16-29.001(17).
RequiredOne-time per business location; a new zoning review ($50) is required if the business changes location within the city. - 04IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN)Internal Revenue Service (IRS) · Federal
Forming an LLC requires an EIN, and the EIN is used to register with the Georgia Department of Revenue and to pay any sales or excise taxes.
RequiredNone - 05Georgia LLC formation (Articles of Organization)Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division · Georgia
Applies if the owner chooses the entity type covered by this filing; legal structure is not established in this example.
ConditionalNone (see annual registration below) - 06Fulton County Trade Name / DBA registrationFulton County Clerk of Superior Court · County
Needed only if the store does business under a name other than the owner's/LLC's legal name (a brand or store name). If it operates strictly under its legal name, no DBA is required.
ConditionalNone — Georgia trade names do not need renewal; a new filing is needed to change the name
Make the checklist yours
Your location, activities, and business structure can change the list. Get a free preview for your business, then decide whether to unlock the full report for $49.
Questions people ask
What city business licenses or registrations should an online store in Atlanta check?
Our research identifies City of Atlanta Occupational Tax Certificate (Business License), issued by City of Atlanta Department of Finance, Office of Revenue, as required. An Occupational Tax Certificate is required of all businesses operating within Atlanta city limits, including home-based businesses. Check the other city permits in this guide and confirm the requirements for your premises and activities.
How much do licenses and permits cost for an online store in Atlanta?
About $241 in published fixed fees, plus variable fees. Several items have fees that depend on your entity type, square footage, or payroll, so the full report lists each fee as the agency publishes it.
What should I do first?
Review IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN) (Internal Revenue Service (IRS)), then Georgia LLC formation (Articles of Organization) (if applicable) (Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division), then Georgia Sales and Use Tax Registration (Certificate of Registration / sales tax number) (Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR)). Confirm each item's applicability and prerequisites before applying; the report provides a suggested order for the full checklist.
Is this legal advice?
No. It is a research summary of public requirements published by government agencies, each linked to its official page. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.
Related guides
Researched from official government sources on September 2, 2026 for a typical online store. Requirements change and depend on your facts; this page is not legal advice. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.