DeKalb County planning and licensing staff told attendees at an October 14 business summit that local business licenses are mandatory for operations in unincorporated DeKalb County regardless of revenue, and that the county uses occupational tax filings to verify gross receipts.

Staff emphasized preparation before applying: a business plan, a budget, training and use of local resources such as the SBA, WorkSource, and the county's one-stop center. The licensing presentation said applications can be submitted online through DeKalb County Planning and Sustainability or in person at the Sam Street one-stop office at 178 Sam Street.

Home-based businesses must apply for county licenses and submit documentation such as Schedule C and zoning compliance; home businesses that receive in-person customers may require a special land-use permit. County staff warned that registration with the Georgia Secretary of State alone does not exempt a business from local licensing requirements and that businesses must obtain licenses for the jurisdiction where they operate.

The licensing presentation also covered year-to-year requirements: licenses must be renewed annually and occupational tax information helps the county track business growth and eligibility for county programs. Staff invited business owners to meet with county representatives at a one-stop service desk and to take short training modules on e-procurement and bid submission to avoid procedural mistakes.

Why it matters: County licensing determines whether a business can receive certain local services and be considered for procurement or county-supported programs. Licensing also triggers public-record rules and can affect what address information is available via state records, the presentation said.

Next steps: County staff encouraged small businesses to contact the licensing office for assistance, to attend the Supplier Academy and procurement micro-trainings noted elsewhere in the summit, and to prepare for the current license-renewal season.