Teresa Cowley                                           770-592-6005
Occupation Tax Professional

**Please note that the License Office is open to walk-in customers needing assistance from 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM Monday through Friday. You may drop off completed applications or tax payments at the City Annex anytime.**

In planning a new business in the City of Woodstock at a commercial location, you must file an occupational tax license application.  Bring or mail the original application along with a copy of your picture ID and/or Driver's License, State Professional Licenses if applicable, corporation information, commercial lease agreement and your check for the appropriate fees payable to the CITY OF WOODSTOCK.  Restaurants will need to submit a copy of the Cherokee County Health Inspection report. 

If your business is Non-Profit, paperwork is still required.  Documentation verifying tax exempt status must accompany the application.

Application Process:  To ensure that a business is legal and the location is safe for public use, a review process is conducted before the issuance of any license.  This process takes approximately 10 business days.

When operating a home based business, the home occupation form should be completed.  You will need to provide proof of residency at your home location along with any state license that is required and corporation information also.

The application process takes approximately 6 weeks to complete.  You will need to complete the Alcohol Permit and be accountable for the Alcohol Ordinance, and revisions that are posted on this page as Alcohol Ordinance Revision. 

If you are awarded the City Alcohol permit you are required to file for a State Liquor License with the Georgia Department of Revenue, Alcohol Division PRIOR to buying your inventory, selling or serving. 

Liquor pouring permits require a 3% tax payment that is due to the City on the 20th of each month.  Please use this Monthly Liquor Pouring report to submit your fees. 

When you have decided on your location for your business you are required to complete the Massage Therapy Application in addition to the Occupation Tax License application for the location.  You will be asked to submit a copy of your Driver's License, Social Security card, State of Georgia Massage License and CME certificates with your Diploma.  A criminal history report is also conducted with your application.  You must be familiar with The City of Woodstock Ordinance for Massage Therapy.

If your business should involve pawn, recycling, buying or processing precious metals, you are required to apply for a Pawn/Precious Metals regulatory license in addition to your Occupation Tax license.  This process takes several weeks to complete and the City Ordinance has complete details about strict compliance and reporting.  You must be familiar with and read the Pawn/Precious Metals Ordinance

Please use the Pledged Items Report form to report all items.  This report is submitted to the Woodstock Police Department as directed in Sec. 22-105 of the Pawn/Precious Metal Ordinance above.

Cab Companies must complete the forms below.  There are several documents that are required and the process takes several weeks to complete.  Incomplete applications will not be accepted: 
    Vehicle for hire      Driver Permit      Taxi Ordinance

Other Licenses or certificates that may be required:

Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, 770-345-0400
Trade Name Certificate, Cherokee County, Deeds & Records 678-493-6511
Corporation State Certificate with Officers www.sos.state.ga.us/corporations
Secretary of State Office of Professional Licensure www.sos.state.ga.us
Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services www.agr.georgia.gov  
Department of Financial Services www.georgia.erg/business/Industries