General Contractor Permits & Licenses in Savannah, Georgia

Required for all LLCs. Annual registration required separately (see below).

All active LLCs must file annually regardless of business type.

Required for general contractors performing residential work over $2,500. Requires passing trade/business/law exams, 2 years experience or equivalent, net worth certification, and $10k-$20k surety bond based on work volume.

Required for non-residential general contracting jobs >=$10,000. Same prerequisites as residential license plus financial statement review. Applicants must designate a Qualifying Agent.

Separate licenses required for specialty trades. Requires exam, 18 months experience (or equivalent), insurance proof.

Required if DBA used. Renew every 5 years or upon LLC annual registration. All businesses, not contractor-specific.

All LLCs with employees need withholding account. Sales tax permit if selling taxable goods/services.

Required for unemployment insurance. All employers, not contractor-specific.

General contractors in Georgia must collect and remit sales tax on taxable materials and equipment used in construction projects. This permit is required even if the business is not selling retail goods directly. Applies to all businesses making taxable sales in Georgia.

Required for all employers in Georgia who withhold state income tax from employee wages. General contractors with employees must register even if they are an LLC.

All employers with one or more employees must register. New employers are assigned a standard experience rating; rate may change based on claims history. Applies to LLCs with employees.

LLCs taxed as corporations (Form 1120) must file Georgia corporate income tax. Most LLCs are pass-through entities (Form 1065/1120S), but if the LLC elects corporate taxation, this applies. All businesses with Georgia-source income must file, even if no tax is due.

This is a mandatory annual registration fee for all LLCs in Georgia, often referred to as the 'net worth tax' or 'annual registration fee.' It is not based on income or revenue. Must be filed each year to maintain good standing.

Most cities and counties in Georgia require a local business license or privilege tax for contractors. Examples include Atlanta, Savannah, and Columbus. Fees and requirements vary. Contractors must contact the city or county clerk where they operate. Some jurisdictions require proof of state license and insurance.

General contractors who operate heavy machinery and purchase fuel not subject to federal excise tax may need to register for Georgia motor fuel excise tax. Most contractors purchase taxed fuel at retail, so this may not apply. Applies only if fuel is purchased in bulk and not taxed at point of sale.

Georgia repealed its franchise tax effective January 1, 2019. It has been replaced by the LLC Annual Registration Fee (Net Worth Tax) for pass-through entities. No franchise tax filing is required for LLCs formed after 2018.

Required for all businesses including contractors; based on gross receipts. Atlanta Code Sec. 6-2001.

Applies if not within city limits; contractors must specify type of work. Ordinance Chapter 6.

Specific occupational tax for contractors. Code Sec. 6-1101 et seq.

Contractors classified under specific group; state license proof required.

General contractors office must verify commercial zoning; home-based may need special exception. E.g., Atlanta Zoning Ordinance Sec. 16-04.001.

Required for interior build-out, additions; contractor must be state-registered.

Size, lighting, setback restrictions per zoning code. E.g., Cobb County Code Ch. 134.

Required for offices/shops; verifies fire alarms, exits. Atlanta Fire Code Sec. 105.

Registration reduces false alarm response fees.

Limited to low-impact; no client visits, signage restricted. Not all jurisdictions allow contractor storage.

Required for all employers with three or more employees (full-time or part-time). Sole proprietors and partners are exempt from carrying coverage on themselves but must cover hired employees. Contractors must carry coverage if they employ three or more people. Exemption does not apply if working on public works projects.

Not statutorily required by the State of Georgia for general contractors, but strongly recommended and often contractually required. Some cities or counties may impose local requirements.

A $25,000 surety bond is required for all licensed residential and commercial contractors. The bond protects consumers from fraudulent or substandard work. Bond must be issued by a surety company licensed in Georgia.

Required under Georgia’s Financial Responsibility Law (O.C.G.A. § 33-7-11) for all motor vehicles operated for business. Minimum liability limits: $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, $25,000 property damage (25/50/25).

Not mandated by Georgia law for general contractors. However, it is strongly recommended to protect against claims of negligence, design errors, or faulty workmanship. May be required by clients or project contracts.

Not required by Georgia law unless selling tangible goods that could pose a risk of injury. General contractors who only provide labor and do not sell products are typically not exposed to product liability claims.

Required only if the business holds an alcohol license or serves alcohol as part of its operations. General contractors not involved in alcohol service are not subject to this requirement.

Required for all LLCs, especially those with employees or multiple members. Even single-member LLCs should obtain an EIN to avoid using SSN for business purposes.

By default, a multi-member LLC is taxed as a partnership and must file Form 1065. A single-member LLC is disregarded and reports income on Schedule C. LLCs may elect corporate taxation. Contractor income is subject to self-employment tax.

General contractors must comply with OSHA construction standards (29 CFR 1926), including fall protection, scaffolding, electrical safety, and hazard communication. Employers with employees must display OSHA poster (Form 2203) and report fatalities or hospitalizations.

General contractors must ensure that facilities they build or modify comply with ADA Standards for Accessible Design (28 CFR Part 36). Contractors themselves must also make reasonable accommodations in employment under Title I.

Required for any contractor disturbing more than 6 square feet of interior paint or 20 square feet of exterior paint in pre-1978 structures. Firm must be EPA-certified, and at least one Certified Renovator must be assigned per job.

General contractors must ensure advertising is truthful, not misleading, and substantiated. Applies to online ads, estimates, testimonials, and “before/after” photos. Prohibited from making false claims about licensing, pricing, or work quality.

All employers, including LLCs, must complete Form I-9 for each employee to verify identity and work authorization. E-Verify is not mandatory federally unless under federal contract.

General contractors must comply with federal minimum wage ($7.25/hour), overtime (1.5x regular rate after 40 hours), recordkeeping, and child labor laws. Independent contractor classification must meet DOL criteria to avoid misclassification penalties.

Requires eligible employers to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying medical and family reasons. Applies only to covered employers meeting employee threshold.

There is no federal-level general contractor license. Licensing for contractors is managed at the state or local level. This is a generic clarification to prevent confusion.

Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), contractors using certain hazardous substances in excess of reporting thresholds must file Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and Tier II reports with state and local authorities.

All domestic and foreign LLCs registered in Georgia must file an annual registration with the Secretary of State. This is separate from federal tax filings.

General Contractors must hold a valid license issued by the Georgia State Licensing Board for Contractors. Renewal is biennial based on the licensee’s birth month. The qualifying individual must maintain eligibility, including passing exams and bonding requirements.

Includes 4 hours of business and law topics and 4 hours of technical training. Courses must be approved by the Georgia State Licensing Board for Contractors.

EIN is a one-time assignment, but ongoing tax reporting is required annually. LLCs with employees must file quarterly and annual federal tax forms.

Employers must withhold Georgia income tax from employee wages and file Form G-1025 quarterly.

General contractors may be liable for sales tax on materials purchased if not properly exempted. Must file Form ST-9 or electronically via Georgia Tax Center.

LLCs taxed as S-Corps or Partnerships must file Form 1120-S or Form 1065 annually. Sole proprietorships report income on Schedule C of Form 1040.

Self-employed individuals and pass-through entities may need to make estimated tax payments using Form 1040-ES or Form 1120-W.

Required for LLCs making estimated tax payments under Georgia law. Use Form IT-65ES.

Employers must display OSHA Form 2203 (or current version) in a conspicuous location accessible to employees. Available for free download from OSHA website.

Employers must post Form WC-140 (Notice to Employees) in a visible location. Also required to carry workers' compensation insurance if three or more employees.

Most cities and counties in Georgia require a local business license or occupational tax certificate. Renewal deadlines and fees vary. Example: City of Atlanta requires annual renewal by January 31. Check with local clerk’s office.

All licensed contractors must maintain a $25,000 surety bond and general liability insurance. Proof must be submitted to the Board upon application and renewal.

Includes financial statements, invoices, receipts, employment records, and contractor agreements. Georgia follows federal guidelines for record retention unless otherwise specified.

EEO-1 report details employee demographics by race, sex, and job category. Filed electronically via EEOC website.

Construction is not exempt. Employers must maintain OSHA 300 logs and post summary Form 300A each year.