Hotel / Motel Permits & Licenses in Savannah, Georgia

Requires sprinklers, alarms, exits per 2021 Fire Code

Verifies zoning, building, fire compliance

Must connect to central monitoring

Covers sanitation, bedding, public areas; mandatory statewide but locally enforced

Traffic study may be required for large hotels

Sole proprietors and partners are not required to carry coverage on themselves unless they elect coverage. All employers with three or more employees must carry workers' comp regardless of industry. Applies to hotels/motels with qualifying staff.

While not legally mandated by the State of Georgia, general liability insurance is strongly recommended for hotels/motels due to high risk of guest injury and property damage. Often required by landlords, lenders, or franchise agreements.

Required as part of the alcohol license application process. The bond amount is determined by projected annual alcohol sales. See Ga. Code § 3-3-10 for bonding requirements.

Required for any vehicle registered under the business name. Minimum liability limits: $30,000 bodily injury per person, $60,000 per accident, $25,000 property damage (Ga. Code § 33-39-2). Applies to hotel shuttles or transport services.

Georgia does not legally require dram shop insurance, but hotels serving alcohol face significant liability risk under Georgia’s dram shop law (Ga. Code § 51-1-40). Strongly recommended and often required by insurers as part of a commercial liability policy. Failure to carry can result in personal liability for damages caused by intoxicated guests.

Not legally required in Georgia for hotels/motels. However, recommended if offering concierge, travel booking, event planning, or other advisory services that could lead to claims of negligence. No state mandate exists.

Not legally required by Georgia law. However, hotels selling retail products should carry product liability coverage as part of general liability insurance to protect against claims of defective or harmful products. Risk increases with in-room vending or gift shops.

All hotel/motel LLCs with employees must obtain an EIN. Even owner-only single-member LLCs may need an EIN if they file certain types of tax returns (e.g., employment, excise, or alcohol/tobacco/firearms taxes).

LLCs taxed as disregarded entities (single-member) report income on owner’s Schedule C. Multi-member LLCs are taxed as partnerships unless they elect corporate status. Hotels must withhold and pay payroll taxes (Social Security, Medicare, federal income tax) if they have employees. FUTA tax applies to first $7,000 of each employee’s wages annually.

Hotels must comply with general industry standards (29 CFR 1910), including hazard communication, emergency action plans, bloodborne pathogens (for housekeeping staff), and recordkeeping (OSHA Form 300 if 11+ employees).

Hotels and motels are public accommodations under Title III. Must comply with ADA Standards for Accessible Design (2010), including accessible guest rooms, entrances, restrooms, signage, and public spaces. Minimum number of accessible rooms based on total rooms (e.g., 5% of rooms for hotels with 51–100 rooms).

Hotels built before 1978 undergoing renovations (e.g., room updates, carpet removal) must use EPA-certified firms and follow lead-safe work practices. Applies to interior and exterior surfaces.

Under the FTC's 'Travel Advertising Guides,' hotels must not engage in bait-and-switch tactics. Online booking descriptions must clearly disclose material terms (e.g., resort fees, parking charges, room availability). Applies to all advertising platforms including websites, OTAs, and social media.

Hotels are typically covered under FLSA enterprise coverage (annual revenue > $500,000 and interstate activity). Must pay federal minimum wage ($7.25/hour) and overtime (1.5x regular rate for hours over 40/week). Common issues include misclassifying housekeepers as independent contractors and failing to pay for all hours worked.

Covers eligible employees (12 months, 1,250 hours) for up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying reasons (e.g., birth, serious health condition). Hotels must post notice and maintain records.

All hotel employers must complete Form I-9 for each employee to verify identity and work authorization. Must retain for 3 years after hire or 1 year after employment ends, whichever is later. Subject to ICE audits.

All electronic devices emitting radio frequency (e.g., Wi-Fi access points, two-way radios used by staff) must be FCC-certified. No separate license required for most consumer-grade equipment, but must use only approved devices.

While TTB does not require a federal license for on-premises alcohol service, hotels selling alcohol must comply with federal labeling, advertising, and tax laws. Note: Georgia requires a state-level alcohol license; this is a federal compliance note only.

Hotels must install and maintain smoke alarms per NFPA standards. Mattresses and upholstered furniture must meet federal flammability standards (16 CFR Parts 1630, 1633). CPSC enforces these under the CPSA and Flammable Fabrics Act.

See Fulton County Zoning Resolution Article 7 for commercial uses

Required for new construction, additions, or major alterations

Hotels often need freestanding or wall signs

Required for all LLCs. Annual registration required separately (see below). Expedited filing available for additional fees.

All active LLCs must file annually with Secretary of State.

Required if hotel/motel uses DBA. Publish notice in county newspaper within 2 weeks of filing.

Hotels/motels must register to collect and remit 5% state + 3-5% local occupancy taxes (local rates vary by jurisdiction).

Room rentals exempt from general sales tax but other hotel services may be taxable.

Required if hotel/motel has Georgia employees. File Form G-7 monthly/quarterly.

Register online via Georgia DOL Employer Portal. New employer rate typically 2.7%.

Georgia does NOT have statewide hotel license. Must obtain business license from city/county. Contact local government directly.

Required for hotel restaurants, room service. Local health dept enforces.

Required if the hotel employs staff. Employers must withhold state income tax from employee wages and remit it to the DOR. Filing frequency (monthly/quarterly) depends on the amount withheld.

All employers with one or more employees must register. Employers pay UI tax; employees do not contribute in Georgia.

LLCs taxed as pass-through entities must still register with DOR. If the LLC elects corporate taxation, it may be subject to Georgia corporate income tax (5.75%). Most multi-member LLCs register for this automatically during business tax registration.

Georgia repealed the franchise tax effective January 1, 2019. Replaced by the 'Net Worth Tax' for corporations, but LLCs are generally not subject to net worth tax unless structured as a corporation.

Also known as the 'Hotel/Motel Privilege Tax'. A 7% excise tax on the rental of rooms in hotels, motels, inns, etc. Collected and remitted monthly or quarterly depending on volume. This is in addition to regular sales tax.

Most cities and counties require a local business license or privilege tax for operating a hotel/motel. Examples: Atlanta Business Tax, Fulton County Occupational License. Fees and requirements vary significantly by location. Must be renewed annually in most cases.

All Georgia LLCs must file an annual registration with the Secretary of State. This is not a tax filing but a requirement to maintain active status. The form and payment are submitted online via the Georgia Secretary of State’s website.

All businesses collecting sales tax must register with the Georgia Department of Revenue. Registration is one-time unless business structure or location changes. However, sales tax returns are filed periodically (monthly, quarterly, or annually) based on volume.

Hotels in Georgia are required to collect sales tax on room rentals. The state rate is 3%, plus local rates (can total 7–10%). Filings are due monthly if tax liability exceeds $3,000 quarterly; otherwise, quarterly. Due dates vary by filing frequency.

LLCs taxed as corporations or with owners subject to Georgia income tax must make estimated tax payments quarterly. Individual members may also need to make personal estimated payments.

Hotels are classified as Assembly or Residential occupancies under NFPA codes. Inspections ensure compliance with egress, alarms, sprinklers, and fire extinguishers. Local fire marshals conduct inspections; some counties require pre-inspection forms.

Inspections cover food handling, storage, sanitation, and pest control. Local county health departments conduct inspections. A food service permit is required and must be renewed annually.

Local jurisdictions enforce the Georgia State Minimum Maintenance Code. Hotels may be subject to periodic structural, electrical, and plumbing inspections. Contact local building official for specific requirements.

Most local governments require visible display of business license, food service permit (if applicable), and fire inspection certificate. Check with city hall or county clerk for specific posting rules.

Required postings include Minimum Wage, OSHA, EEO, FMLA, and Georgia Workers’ Compensation. Posters must be visible to employees. Federal posters available at dol.gov; Georgia-specific notices from gdol.ga.gov.

Mandatory in Georgia for employers with 3+ employees. Coverage must be maintained continuously. Employers must display a workers’ comp notice (Form WC-14) in a visible location.

EIN is issued once and does not expire. However, businesses must update the IRS if legal name, address, or responsible party changes.

Employers must withhold Georgia income tax from employee wages. Filings due monthly or quarterly. Form G-4 required upon hiring first employee. Annual Form W-2 equivalent (Form GA-W-2) submission required.

Hotels are not automatically exempt from OSHA recordkeeping. Employers with 10 or fewer employees are generally exempt, unless on OSHA’s high-risk list. Form 300A must be posted annually.

Most Georgia cities and counties require an annual business license. Fees often based on number of rooms or gross revenue. Contact local clerk for exact deadline and cost.

Federal tax records: 3–7 years. Employment tax records: 4 years. Georgia requires retention of sales tax records for 4 years. Payroll records should be kept for at least 4 years under state law.

Some Georgia counties require individual food handler permits. Training may be required. Not all counties require this; check with local health department.

All alcohol licenses in Georgia expire on September 30 each year and must be renewed by October 1. Includes on-premises consumption licenses (Class B or C). Late renewal incurs penalties.

Some municipalities impose a gross receipts tax on businesses. For example, Atlanta imposes a Business Tax based on total gross receipts. Hotels in such jurisdictions must register locally and file periodically (usually annually or quarterly).

Required for all LLCs with employees or multiple members. Used for federal income tax, employment tax, and excise tax filings. Must be obtained before state registrations in most cases.

Required for all businesses including hotels/motels; based on gross receipts

Hotels classified under specific category; separate from city licenses

Hotels/motels must comply with Atlanta Zoning Ordinance Sec. 16-04.001 et seq.