Home Bakery Permits & Licenses in Savannah, Georgia

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

All active LLCs must file annually, even if no changes.

Required if using an assumed or trade name. Renews with annual registration.

Required for home-based sales of non-potentially hazardous baked goods (e.g., cookies, breads). License effective immediately upon approval. Updated rules effective July 1, 2019.

All businesses selling taxable items must register for a sales tax account. Cottage foods are taxable.

State law (O.C.G.A. § 48-13-9) mandates local business license for all occupations. Home bakeries require zoning approval. Check specific city/county.

Home bakers selling directly to customers in Georgia must collect and remit sales tax on taxable food items. Baked goods sold for immediate consumption (e.g., at farmers markets) are generally taxable. Exemptions may apply for wholesale sales to retailers. Registration is done via the Georgia Tax Center (GTC).

All Georgia LLCs must register with the DOR for income tax purposes. Single-member LLCs are typically disregarded entities for federal tax but must still register in Georgia if they have state tax obligations. Multi-member or electing LLCs may have additional filing requirements. Georgia does not impose a separate corporate income tax on pass-through entities, but LLCs must file Form 700 if they owe tax.

Required if the home bakery hires employees. Employers must withhold Georgia income tax from employee wages and remit it to the DOR. Registration is completed through the Georgia Tax Center (GTC).

All employers in Georgia must register with the Department of Labor and pay unemployment insurance taxes on the first $9,500 of wages per employee annually. Rate varies by experience rating (new employers: 2.7%).

As of January 1, 2019, Georgia replaced the franchise tax with a net worth tax for entities with net worth over $5 million. Most small home bakeries will not meet this threshold and are exempt. Filers must submit Form 600.

Many Georgia counties and cities (e.g., Atlanta, Savannah, Athens) require a local business license or privilege tax for all businesses operating within their jurisdiction. Fees vary based on location and gross receipts. Home bakers must check with their county/city tax commissioner or business licensing office.

Retail sales of baked goods are subject to Georgia sales tax. The state rate is 4%, but most localities add additional taxes (total typically 6–9%). Home bakers must collect tax at point of sale and remit via Georgia Tax Center. Exemptions may apply for wholesale sales or certain nonprofit sales.

All LLCs must obtain an EIN from the IRS, even if no employees. Single-member LLCs without employees may use the owner’s SSN, but obtaining an EIN is recommended for privacy and banking. Required for opening business bank accounts and filing taxes.

Required by nearly all GA municipalities for home-based businesses; LLCs must register. Exact requirements/costs set by local ordinance (e.g., Fulton County Code Sec. 30-7).

Most GA counties/cities restrict home bakeries via zoning codes (e.g., DeKalb County Code Ch. 27; Cobb County Ordinance 5112). Confirm residential zoning allows cottage food.

Home bakeries often limited to certain residential zones; no commercial appearance allowed.

Required if altering residential structure; see local building code (e.g., Gwinnett County adopts IPC/IRC).

Cottage Food License (state) exempts low-risk items from full health permit, but local health depts enforce hygiene (O.C.G.A. § 26-2-450). Low-risk only via state.

Required for home businesses with appliances exceeding residential use; NFPA 1 compliance.

Home bakeries typically banned from visible signs per zoning.

Common in metro counties like Fulton, DeKalb.

Verifies safe occupancy load; rare for pure home ops.

Home occupation ordinances limit client visits/parking.

Baking odors/equipment noise regulated under nuisance ordinances.

Required for all employers with three or more employees (full-time, part-time, or temporary) in Georgia. Sole proprietors are not required to carry coverage for themselves unless they have employees. Agricultural workers may be exempt under certain conditions. Home bakers operating as LLCs must comply once they employ three or more people.

Not legally required by the State of Georgia for home bakeries, but strongly recommended. May be required by law if renting space at farmers markets, pop-up events, or third-party facilities. Often a condition of commercial leases or event participation. Does not replace product liability coverage.

Only applies if the business has employees. Requires safe working conditions, injury reporting (if applicable), and access to safety information. Home bakers with no employees are generally exempt from routine enforcement.

While enforcement is often through litigation rather than proactive audits, compliance is legally required.

Required under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) for facilities that manufacture, process, pack, or hold food for human consumption in interstate commerce. Most home bakers selling only within Georgia are exempt. Registration must be renewed every two years during even-numbered years.

Applies to all packaged foods sold in interstate commerce. Requires ingredient list, allergen labeling (milk, eggs, wheat, etc.), net weight, and business name/address. Home bakers selling unpackaged goods at farmers markets may be exempt.

Applies to all businesses. Prohibits false or misleading claims in advertising (e.g., "organic," "gluten-free," "homemade"). Must have substantiation for health or ingredient claims. Applies to websites, social media, and packaging.

Required for all U.S. employers. Form I-9 must be completed and retained for each employee. E-Verify is not mandatory federally unless in certain states or for federal contractors.

Not legally required by Georgia law for home bakeries under the Georgia Cottage Food Operation (CFO) Act. However, it is strongly recommended for any business selling consumable products. Coverage protects against claims of illness, injury, or contamination from food products. Required by some event organizers or wholesale partners.

No surety bond is required for home bakeries operating under the Georgia Cottage Food Operation Act. The Act allows low-risk foods (e.g., baked goods without cream or meat fillings) to be produced in home kitchens without licensing, inspection, or bonding. No state-mandated license bond exists for CFOs.

Required if a vehicle is titled or used as a commercial vehicle (defined as primarily used for business). Personal auto policies do not cover business use such as food delivery. Registration as a commercial vehicle triggers this requirement. Home bakers using vehicles for regular deliveries should consult an insurer about commercial coverage.

Not legally required for home bakeries in Georgia. This insurance covers claims of negligence, errors, or failure to deliver services as promised. While not mandated, it may be advisable for custom-order businesses (e.g., wedding cakes). Often bundled with general liability in a Business Owner's Policy (BOP).

Only applicable if the home bakery serves or sells alcohol (e.g., at an event or retail space). Not relevant for typical home bakers producing baked goods. Requires a valid alcohol license from the Georgia Department of Revenue. Home kitchens under the Cottage Food Act cannot legally serve alcohol on-site.

Required for all LLCs, even with no employees. Used for federal tax filings, banking, and licensing. Application is free via IRS Form SS-4.

A single-member LLC is disregarded for federal tax purposes and reports income on Schedule C of Form 1040. Multi-member LLCs file Form 1065. Georgia home bakers must report all income from sales. Self-employment tax applies.

Applies to sole proprietors and LLC members. Must file Form 1040-ES quarterly if expecting tax liability of $1,000 or more.

LLCs must file amendments for structural changes. While not periodic, it is a compliance obligation. Failure to update records can jeopardize good standing.

Local ordinances often require display of business license. The Georgia Cottage Food Operation must display registration number on all packaging and at point of sale. Not required for non-commercial transactions.

Businesses must keep records of all sales, tax collected, and returns for at least 4 years. Includes invoices, receipts, and exemption certificates. Records must be available for audit.

All employers must display OSHA’s Job Safety and Health Protection poster (OSHA 3165) in a conspicuous location. Available for free download from OSHA website. Applies even to home-based businesses with employees.

Employers in Georgia must display the official labor law poster summarizing employee rights under state law. Available from the Georgia Department of Labor website. Required in all workplaces with employees.

Businesses must issue Form 1099-NEC to non-employee individuals or unincorporated businesses paid $600 or more. Must be postmarked by January 31. Also file Form 1096 with IRS.

Employers must file Form UI-2 (Quarterly Report) and pay unemployment insurance tax. New employers pay 2.7% on first $9,500 of each employee’s wages. Rate adjusts based on experience rating.

Requires payment of federal minimum wage ($7.25/hour) and overtime (1.5x regular rate for >40 hours/week). Applies to home bakery employers. Does not apply to owner or family members under age 18 in some cases.

Requires eligible employees to receive up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying reasons. Most home bakeries with fewer than 50 employees are exempt.

Most home bakeries do not generate hazardous waste or emit regulated pollutants. No federal EPA permits required for typical operations. Compliance only if using regulated substances or generating hazardous waste.

All Georgia LLCs must file an annual registration with the Secretary of State. This is separate from federal tax filings. The due date is the anniversary of the LLC’s formation date. Online filing available at the SOS website.

Home bakeries must obtain and renew a business license from the city or county where they operate. Requirements and fees vary. For example, Fulton County requires annual renewal. Confirm with local clerk’s office.

Home bakeries selling taxable goods must collect and remit sales tax. After registering via the Georgia Tax Center (GTC), businesses are assigned a filing frequency. Quarterly filers submit by the 20th of the month after the quarter ends (e.g., April 20 for Q1).

LLC owners must make quarterly estimated tax payments for federal income and self-employment taxes using Form 1040-ES. Deadlines are not fixed dates but typically fall on the 15th of the month unless extended.

A single-member LLC is disregarded for federal tax purposes and reports income on Schedule C (Form 1040). Multi-member LLCs file Form 1065. Extensions available via Form 4868 or 7004, but taxes are still due by April 15.

Individuals, including sole proprietors of LLCs, must file Georgia Individual Income Tax Return (Form 500) by April 15. Matches federal deadline. Can be filed electronically via Georgia Tax Center.

Home bakers selling allowed items (e.g., baked goods without cream/filling) must register annually with the Georgia Department of Agriculture. Registration is valid for one year. Renewal required to continue legal sales. Registration does not exempt from local zoning or business license rules.

If a home bakery produces foods requiring refrigeration or not allowed under the cottage food law, it must operate from a licensed kitchen and undergo biannual health inspections by the local health department in coordination with DPH.

While Georgia does not universally require food handler cards for cottage food operators, those operating under a retail food establishment permit must have certified food handlers. Certification must be renewed every 5 years through an ANSI-accredited program.

Employers must withhold state income tax and file Form G-1065 (quarterly) or G-1067 (annual reconciliation). First, register via Georgia Tax Center. Filing frequency depends on liability volume.

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is issued once and does not expire. No renewal required. However, businesses must notify IRS of changes in structure or ownership using Form 8822-B.