Please allow 48 hours to obtain a business license.  If the license is being mailed back to you, allow additional mailing time. 

Persons who are qualified legal immigrants may obtain a business license too.  It is a requirement that you be a U.S. Citizen or a qualified legal immigrant to obtain a business license.  By completing this form, you are swearing that you are a U.S. Citizen or qualified legal immigrant to work in the United States.

If your primary location or base of operations is located in the City Limits of Alpharetta, you must have a business license.  The base of operations may be your residence or a rented office space.

No.  The Georgia Secretary of State does not accept registrations for a sole proprietor, however, it does register Corporations, Limited Liability Corporations (LLC), and more.  You may visit the following link for more information: https://ecorp.sos.ga.gov/

If your business is operated under any other name than your incorporated name, then that Trade Name must be registered with the Fulton County Superior Court.  As an example: ABC Plastics Inc. d/b/a Plastic Works.  Plastic Works is your Trade Name.  By registering your Trade Name, you assure no one else is operating under that same name within Fulton County.  For more information, you may visit the following link: https://www.fultonclerk.org/237/Trade-Names-DBA

Your mailing address may be Alpharetta, but you may not be located within the city limits of Alpharetta.  For example, many callers live in south Forsyth County but have an Alpharetta mailing address.  Those callers would need to contact Forsyth County.  If you have a question about where you reside, we would be happy to locate it on the map and help you determine where to obtain your occupational license.

Check Address With Zoning Map Online

Yes, a Fire Safety Inspection is required to obtain a valid business license for a non-home-based business. Contact the Fire Marshal’s Office at 678-297-6272 (option #9) to schedule a Fire Safety Inspection.

The process at the City level can take between 14 to 45 days from submission of a full and completed application.  We cannot speak or guarantee how long it may take the State to issue your State alcohol license.

There are several factors that go into receiving final approval for an alcohol license, such as: receiving the applicant and/or registered agent’s background checks, legal noticing and advertising requirements, holiday and government closures, and whether a public hearing before the City Council is required.

No

No.

However, if you are purchasing an establishment that has an active alcohol license, you may be able to serve alcohol for a period of time after the purchase of the establishment.  Please contact the Code Enforcement Office to see if this may apply to your situation.

You or your registered agent must attend the City Council meeting.  Failure to attend the meeting will result in a deferral of your application.

This is only permitted if the prior survey and surveyor’s certificate were completed and certified within the previous 48 months.  Advance approval is required.

We are required to advertise the alcohol license application for two weeks and post signage in front of the business stating why and when the hearing will take place.  This puts the public on notice that a business is requesting the sale of alcoholic beverages.

State law requires that a background check is done to determine eligibility for an alcohol license.  Fingerprints allow us to see your criminal history as stated in the FBI Criminal Database.  Those employees that serve alcohol, manage, or supervise must have an alcohol pouring permit.  Alcohol pouring permits are issued by Alpharetta Public Safety.  The pouring permit requires fingerprinting in order to obtain criminal history from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.