"Cutting the Red Tape for New Businesses" The First Stop Business Information Center, a service of Georgia's Office of Secretary of State, provides the small business owner and the prospective entrepreneur with a central point of information and contacts for state regulatory requirements for operating a small business in Georgia.
The primary objective of the center is to facilitate sustainable small business development in Georgia by offering a central location for determination of what licenses and permits must be obtained and maintained by individuals and businesses conducting their enterprises in Georgia.
It is the policy of the First Stop Business Information Center staff and the Office of Secretary of State to encourage and foster the growth of business and industry in Georgia. Please use the information available on the First Stop Business Information Center website to help get your new business started or you may contact the center with any questions you may have at 404.656.2817 or 404.656.0513 (fax).
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. The SBA recognizes that small business is critical to our economic recovery and strength, to building America's future, and to helping the United States compete in today's global marketplace. Although SBA has grown and evolved in the years since it was established in 1953, the bottom line mission remains the same. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U. S. Virgin Islands and Guam. Click here to be redirected to SBA's website.
Verify Business Location is in City Limits
In order to apply for and obtain an Occupational Tax Certificate (business license) from the City of Snellville, we must verify the physical business address is in the Municipal City limits of Snellville. Three different Postal Zip Codes (30039, 30052, and 30078) have Snellville mailing addresses, however, they may not necessarily be located within the City limts.
To verify that your business location is within the Municipal City limits of Snellville, please review the City of Snellville Street Listing or call Nelie Wilson 770.985.3513 to have your location confirmed. If the location is not within the Snellville City limts, you will most likely need to contact Gwinnett County Licensing and Revenue Office 678.377.4100.
Verify Business Use Meets Zoning Requirements
We must also verify that the physical business location is properly zoned to allow the proposed use of the property. If the zoning for the business location does not permit the proposed use of the property, a Rezoning Amendment, Land Use Plan Amendment, or Conditional Use Permit would need to be applied for (by the property owner) and approved through a Public Hearing before the Mayor and Council prior to issuance of a business license. This is a minimum 75-day process, so please plan accordingly.
Please call Nelie Wilson 770.985.3513 to check the current Zoning District classification for your business location. You should review the Zoning Districts and permitted uses on our website to determine which Zoning District(s) would permit the use of your business.
Zoning and Street Map (updated 11/7/07) The map shows both the zoning and street names. Use Adobe's zoom feature to view details and street names.
Obtain State License (Required for certain trades and businesses)The Professional Licensing Boards Division of the Secretary of State provides administrative support services to 36 professional licensing boards that issue 197 types of licenses to more than 400,000 Georgians in various professions. The boards process applications, administer examinations, and when warranted, conduct investigations into possible professional misconduct and may discipline, suspend, or revoke the licenses of practitioners.
The Georgia Department of Human Resource, Office of Regulatory Services monitors, inspects and licenses or registers primary health care, long-term care (personal care homes) and residential child care programs. They help ensure that provider facilities, services and programs meet State and other mandatory requirements.
Buidling or Tenant Space Addition/Modification Permit Requirements
If your proposed business location requires non-cosmetic modifications or changes to the structure or interior space to meet your business needs, a building permit may be required and must be obtained prior to commencement of any construction and/or demolition activity. Please review the Building Permits and Building & Construction Permits sections of the website for permit applications and additional information.
The Occupation Tax Certificate (Business License) will be issued upon sucessful completion of all required inspections, including all final inspections for Certificate of Occupancy.
Fire Plan Review Procedures for Tenants Requesting to Occupy and Existing Space "As-Is" (No Proposed Construction)
If your proposed business location does not require modifications or changes to the structure or interior space to meet your business needs (see above), you must obtain a Certificate of Occupancy from the Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services (Office of the Fire Marshal). Please contact the Fire Marshal's office at 678.518.6100 or review the C.O. procedures here.
Application for Occupation Tax Certificate (Business License)
After we have determined that the business meets the criteria of the City requirements, applicant's should review the Application Checklist to make sure they have completed any additional requirements based on their business type. Applicant's can then complete the Application for Occupation Tax Certificate (Business License). The following information will be needed to complete their application:
- Business Name
- Owner(s) Names and Applicant Name
- Federal ID Number or Social Security Number
- Type of Ownership (Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, Corporation)
- Date Business Established
- Physical Location Address
- Mailing Address (if different than physical location address)
- Phone numbers (Business, Fax, Residence, Cell)
- e-mail address
- Dominate line of business to be conducted
- Number of Employees associated with this business location, and
- Gross Receipts: New Businesses - Projection for the current year
Businesses Relocating - Previous calendar year
receipts
Occupation Taxes and Fees
Occupation taxes are based on the company's anticipated gross receipts and a tax derived from the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code. The City of Snellville has established six (6) tax classes, with rates ranging from $0.40 per thousand dollars of gross receipts to $0.90 per thousand dollars of gross receipts. There is a non-refundable and non-prorated $30 adminstrative fee associated with the issuance and renewal of the Occupation Tax Certificate (Business License).
Certain professional practitioners (i.e. Attorneys, Enginneers, Physicians, etc.) may elect to pay a flat fee of $300 per State registered professional plus $30 Adminstrative Fee, in lieu of having their occupation tax based on their gross receipts.
New businesses or businesses relocating to Snellville,
must apply for and obtain an
Occupation Tax Certificate (Business License) prior to beginning operations. A
checklist is available to assist new and relocating business owners in obtaining the required documents and forms needed to process their application.
Renewal Information for Existing Businesses
Existing businesses must renew their Occupation Tax Certificate (Business Licnse) and pay taxes no later than April 1st each year.
The deadline for 2008 Occupation Tax Certificate (Business License) renewals (commercial business locations) and (home business locations) is March 31, 2008. All payments received after that date will be assessed a 10% payment penalty (or $25, whichever is greater) and 1-1/2% interest per month. If your business has closed or moved to a location outside the Snellville city limits, please contact Nelie Wilson 770.985.3513 so that we may inactivate your business record.
Hours of Service
Occupation Tax Certificates are issued by the Department of Planning & Development, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. All other services provided by the Department are available Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Payment is tendered at the time the application is submitted for new businesses. We accept cash, check, Visa, Mastercard, money order, or cashier's check.
Other Required Forms
A Police Emergency Contact Form is required in case the Snellville Police Department needs to contact you should a problem occur at your business location. In addition, Sanitation service (garbage pickup) is a requirement for your business operation. Sanitation service is handled through the Public Works Department and must be verified prior to the issuance of the Occupational Tax Certificate.
Home Occupations and Businesses
If you will be operating the business out of your home, the City's Home Occupation and Business Ordinance (Article 18) will apply. This ordinance designates the uses that are permitted as home occupations/businesses and establishes the guidelines under which these uses can operate.
When applying for your Occupation Tax Certificate (Business License), you will complete the paperwork for your home occupation/business at the same time. The first step is to determine if your proposed business use is permitted under the City's Home Occupation and Business Ordinance (Article 18) as a home occupation or a home business.
Any use not listed in Section 18.3 or Section 18.4 of the Home Occupation and Business Ordinance shall require a Classification of Use Request be completed and submitted for review and consideration by the Zoning Enforcement Officer. Such request shall address a specific use in detail and how it conforms with the standards as set forth in this Ordinance. The Zoning Enforcement Officer shall decide Classification of Use Requests based upon the standards contained in this Ordinance. Anyone aggrieved by a decision of the Zoning Enforcement Officer on the Classification of Use Request may appeal to the Zoning Board of Appeals in accordance with Article XIV.
A comparison table has been developed to easily show the difference between the home occupation standards and home business standards. If you determine your business use is classified as a home occupation, you will need to complete a Home Occupation Compliance Form in conjunction with your Occupational Tax Application. If you determine your business use is classified as a home business, you will need to complete a Home Business Compliance Form in conjuction with your Occupational Tax Application. Unlike the Home Occupation Application, there is a fee for the Home Business Permit of $25.00 plus $10.00 per outside on-premise employee (max of 2 employees).
Active Business List
New for 2008 is the Snellville Active Business Listing, compiled monthly from Occupation Tax Application data. At the beginning of each month, a new business listing will be provided, listing all active business records as of the report run date. The report includes: a) Business Name; b) Physical Street Address; c) Business Telephone; and d) Business Contact Name (Owner, Operator, Manager, etc.)
A second report, sorted by Business Type/Description, and which contains the same business information as the Active Business Listing, is provided as well.
Please note the street address provided in all listings reflect the physical street address of the business and may not necessarily be the business mailing address. Additional business information may be requested (for a nominal fee) by contacting Nelie Wilson at 770.985.3513.
Applications, Forms and Misc. Information
Application for Occupation Tax Certificate (Business License)
Registered Agent Form for Commercial Businesses
Home Occupation Compliance Form
Home Business Compliance Form
Classification of Use Request [New]
Police Emergency Contact Form
Sanitation Compliance & Acknowledgement Form
Active Business Listing
WELCOME NEW BUSINESSES:
New Businesses January 2008
New Businesses February 2008
New Businesses March 2008
New Businesses April 2008
New Businesses May 2008
New Businesses November 2007
New Businessess December 2007
Occupational Tax Ordinance
Checklist for New Business Applicants
Gwinnett County Fire Marshal Inspection for C.O.
2008 Occupation Tax Certificate (Business License)(Commercial Business) [New]
2008 Occupation Tax Certificate (Business License) (Home Occupation) [New]
2008 Occupation Tax Certificate (Business License) (Home Business) [New]
City of Snellville Street Listing
Occupation Tax Fee Schedule
Occupation Tax Fee Schedule (Home Business)
Home Occupation & Business Ordinance (Article 18)
Home Occupation vs. Home Business Comparison Table
Procedures for Obtaining Zoning Certification
POPULAR INFORMATIONAL LINKS:
U.S. Federal Government Directory (www.USA.gov)
Georgia State and Local Government Directory (www.statelocalgov.net)
Gwinnett County Directory (www.gwinnettcounty.com)
Better Business Bureau (Atlanta Region)
Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce
Partnership Gwinnett
Snellville Commerce Club
Evermore Community Improvement District (formerly Hwy78CID)
Page Updated: 12/22/2007
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