Business Licenses (Occupational Tax Certificates)

All businesses operating within unincorporated Bryan County must possess a current Business License (Occupational Tax Certificate).  For businesses operating within the city limits of Pembroke and Richmond Hill, contact the applicable City for requirements.  In unincorporated Bryan County, the Community Development Department process all new applications and annual renewals.

New Applications

Business License applications can be submitted on-line through the County's Licensing portal.  To start the submittal process, click on the link below.  If you have not already created an account, you will need to create an account before starting. 

Things to know before you begin:

• Zoning Requirements - Zoning districts regulate the specific kinds of businesses that can operate in certain locations.  Therefore, whether you plan to buy, rent, or build a commercial space, or work out of your home, make sure your location will conform to Bryan County's zoning requirements.  You can check the zoning of your location prior to closing on a property or signing a lease by contacting our office.

• Application Fee - A $75 non-refundable application fee is required at submission of an application. 

• Occupation Tax – The following is the non-refundable tax amount that is due each calendar year based on the number of employees your business employs.  The full tax amount is assessed for the calendar year and is not pro-rated.  

* An employee is a person who works directly under the direction and supervision of an employer that withholds FICA, federal income tax, or state income tax from the employee's wages, or who issues a W-2 form.  An employee does not include freelancers or independent contractors who file a 1099 tax form.  

**The number of employees should be computed on a full-time position basis or full-time position equivalent basis.  An employee who works 40 hours or more a week is considered a full-time employee.  The average weekly hours of part-time employees working less than 40 hours a week should be added together and divided by 40 to produce full-time position equivalents.

Ex: A business has 10 part-time employees, all of whom work 20 hours a week, for a total of 200 hours. 

200 total hours worked / 40 hours = 5 full-time position equivalents

The business would be taxed for having 5 full-time employees, not 10 employees.

***If a business has multiple locations or offices in Georgia, then the number of employees should be calculated based on only those full-time employees, or full-time employee equivalents, working in unincorporated Bryan County.

• Occupation Tax Exemption - The following individuals/organizations may be eligible for an exemption from having to pay an occupation tax.

• Disabled Veterans – War-time veterans with at least a 10% disability rating or peace-time veterans with a 25% disability rating, if claiming an exemption, will need to provide a copy of your Certificate of State License/Tax Exemption.  For more information visit Business Certificate of Exemption | Georgia Department of Veterans Service

• Blind Persons – If claiming an exemption, will need to provide a Certificate of Blindness or other medical evidence providing proof of blindness.

• Non-Profit Organizations – If claiming an exemption, will need to provide proof of non-profit status.

• Registration with Secretary of State - All limited liability companies (LLC), limited partnerships (LP), and corporations that conduct business in Georgia are legally required to register with the Secretary of State.  A current copy of the state registration needs to be included with the application, if applicable. For more information visit The Corporations Division of the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office | Georgia Secretary of State (ga.gov). 

• Trade Name Registration – A DBA (“doing business as”), also known as a trade name or fictitious name, allows a business to operate under a name other than its registered name.  All DBA(s) must be registered with the county in which the business is located.  DBAs in Bryan County are filed with the Bryan County Clerk of Courts.  The cost to register is $168.00, plus publishing costs.  Click here to access the Trade Name Registration form. Any questions regarding registering Trade Names in Bryan County can be directed to the Bryan County Clerk of Superior Court, by calling (912)653-5256.   For additional information visit File for a DBA (Doing Business As) | Georgia.gov.

• State Professional Licensing Boards - If your profession requires a State Board Certification, then a copy of your professional license must be submitted with your application.  Visit the Georgia Licensing Boards | Georgia Secretary of State (ga.gov) website for a list of professions requiring certification.

• E-Verify - Every private employer with 11 or more employees is required to register with and utilize the federal work authorization program commonly known as E-Verify.  The Private Employer Affidavit must be completed, listing the registrant’s E-Verify number.   If the business has 10 or fewer employees and registration is not required, then the Private Employer Affidavit still needs to be completed, confirming the employer is exempt.  For more information on how to obtain an E-Verify number, visit www.uscis.gov and click on E-Verify.  To determine the number of employees for purposes of this affidavit, a business must count its total number of employees company-wide, regardless of the city, state, or country in which they are based, working at least 35 hours a week.

• Citizenship/Immigration Status – All applicants are required to verify citizenship or immigration status by completing the Affidavit Verifying Citizenship Status form.  These forms must be accompanied by at least one secure and verifiable document, as required by O.C.G.A. Section 50-36-1(e)(1).  For a current list of secure and verifiable documents, visit the Georgia Attorney General’s website at: htttps://law.georgia.gov/resources/immigration-reports

If you are a noncitizen or a naturalized or derived citizen, then your immigration status will be checked using the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program.  To learn more about SAVE, visit www.uscis.gov/SAVE.

• State Sales and Use Tax Number - Any individual or entity meeting the definition of a “dealer” as defined by O.C.G.A. § 48-8-2 is required to register for a sales and use tax number.  For more information, visit the State of Georgia Department of Revenue Sales & Use Tax | Georgia Department of Revenue website, call the Department of Revenue at (912)748-5199, or visit their regional office located at 1000 Towne Center Blvd. Bldg. 900 in Pooler, GA.  If a sales and use tax number is required for your business, then you must obtain this prior to applying with Bryan County.

Still have questions?  Contact or visit one of our two locations.