Shannon Griffith
Development Service Center Manager
(770) 721-7810
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Business Licenses|Commercial Occupation Tax Certificate
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COMMERCIAL OCCUPATION TAX CERTIFICATE FOR BUSINESSES IN CHEROKEE COUNTY |
ATTENTION!!
Effective January 1, 2026, the Development Service Center will no longer accept cash. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.
Any person engaged in any business, trade, profession, or occupation and located in unincorporated Cherokee County is required to register their business with the county and obtain a commercial occupation tax certificate. A separate certificate is required for each location/branch. If you going into a space that was previously a business, you will need to have a tenant occupancy inspection. This will be scheduled after you receive approval from planning and zoning and will require a $50.00 fee to be paid.
Apply for a Commercial Occupation Tax Certificate
First time applicants must submit in person to:
Development Services Center - 1130 Bluffs Parkway - Canton, Georgia 30114
Hours of operation - 8am to 5pm - Monday through Friday (We do not accept applications after 4:30pm)
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New commercial occupation tax certificate application (incomplete applications will not be accepted)
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S.A.V.E affidavit notarized (we will notarize for you at no cost)
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Copy of Certificate of Incorporation if applicable (for corporations and LLC)
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Copy of registration of business with Deeds & Records (if not a corporation or LLC)
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Copy of Professional State License (if applicable)
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Copy of health inspections (if applicable: restaurants, etc.)
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Private employer affidavit pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 60-60-6(d)
- Sales and Use Tax Identification Number (if applicable)
- Federal Employer Identification Number (if applicable)
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Proof of residential address (if home occupation)
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Proof of applicant’s identity (passport, Georgia driver’s license, military ID)
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Payment of fees (checks payable to Cherokee County) Cash, Credit Card (Visa, Master Card, Discover)
- Certificate of Occupancy for any remodel or renovations or build out of space
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Occupation Tax Certificate Fees
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Owner (s)
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The owner, if sole proprietorship or paid by salary, commission or profit, and any paid family members working for the business, will be counted as a full-time employee.
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$30.00
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Full time employee
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Per employee up to a maximum of 200 employees and a maximum fee of $6,000.00
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$30.00
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Part time employee
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$15.00
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Renew your license
Existing license holders will receive a courtesy notice of renewal by email, non-receipt of the renewal notice does not relieve the business owner from the responsibility of renewing the occupation tax certificate.
Renewals due January 1 of each year
Past due after January 31
Beginning February 1st, a 10 percent penalty will be added to the total tax due. If not paid, the business will be deemed closed and will be turned to the Marshal’s Office for collections. A citation may be issued to include fines up to $1,000.00.
Please fill out the occupation tax certificate renewal form and mail to: Development Service Center ( Make checks payable to Cherokee County ) or you can renew online!
Change address or name of business
An occupational tax certificate is not transferable. Any changes in ownership will require a new certificate. Changes of business locations will require review by our department. Businesses moving to commercial properties may be subject to inspections by the Fire Marshal and the Building Inspections Department. Please contact the Development Service Center immediately of any changes or if business has closed.
Specially licensed businesses
The following type of business activities are subject to special regulations, please visit our web page Development Service Center for more information at 770-721-7810 or email us at [email protected]
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Pawnshops
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Pool rooms
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Precious metals dealers
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Adult entertainment establishments
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Ambulance franchises
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Alcoholic Beverage Licenses
* Please note that Peddlers license issuance has moved to the Cherokee County Probate Court, for more information please call 678-493-6160*
Development Service Center
770-721-7810
