Business Licensing

     Stephens County’s largest employers include Stephens County Hospital, Stephens County School District, Patterson Pump, Wal-Mart and Pruitt Corporation.  However, it is the independent businessmen and women of Stephens County that ensure the continued economic viability of the community.  A number of resources exist for residents searching for work, including the Toccoa office of the Georgia Department of Labor at 112 N. Alexander St. (706)282-4514.

     For those wishing to strike out on their own and start their own business, the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce, (706)886-2132; the Stephens County Development Authority, (706)886-4242; the Toccoa Main Street Program, (706)282-3269; and the City of Toccoa Business License and Clerk’s office, (706)282-3225, can provide the necessary regulations and forms as well as a wealth of information and assistance.

     If you plan to operate a business in the state of Georgia, you must obtain a city or county business license.  In some cases, such as home-based businesses and some county areas outside the incorporated city limits, no license is needed.  You should discuss the details of your situation with the licensing department.  The fee for a license is contingent on the location, type, and size of your business.  Contact the County Administrator for Stephens County regarding occupational taxes.  Other considerations to take into account when considering entering into the Toccoa-Stephens County business arena are the zoning of the proposed location of your business, the necessity of health permits if the business involves food processing, handling, storage or distribution (contact the County Health Department Environmental Division at (706)282-4507),

trade name registration if the business name down not include the last name of the business owner (contact the clerk of the Superior Court at (706)886-3598), and publishing a notice of incorporation or trade name registration in the legal section of the newspaper (contact the Toccoa Record at (706)886-9476).  Unless you intend to render investment advice, make alcohol or tobacco products, prepare meat products or make or deal in firearms, a federal license is not required, barring heavily regulated businesses such as communications companies (radio or 

television) or producing pharmaceuticals.  For information on business of this nature, contact the U.S. Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms at (404)679-5130, the U.S. Federal Drug Administration at (404)347-4265, or the U.S. Federal Communications Commission at (888) 225-5322.

     A large number of business categories require a Georgia State Business license.  Contact the Secretary of State’s office at (404)656-3900 for a listing of all occupatons that require state licensing.  Information on state licensing can also be found at www.sos.state.ga.us/corpoerations/reg-forms.htm.

Source: Living Here 2008 Your guide to living,working and playing in Toccoa-Stephens County