Restaurant Permits & Licenses in Savannah, Georgia

Required for all LLCs; expedited filing available for additional fees ($100-$250). Source confirms current fees as of 2024.

All active LLCs must file annual registration online. Confirmed via official SOS portal.

Required if restaurant uses DBA/assumed name. Renew every 5 years. Source: SOS Name Reservation guidelines.

State oversight via GTC; actual issuance and fees set by city/county. All businesses require registration. Fees based on revenue tiers.

Required for all restaurants serving food. Issued by county health departments under DPH standards. Plan review required pre-opening ($200+ fee).

Rule 511-6-1.04 requires at least one ANSI-accredited CFM per facility during all operating hours. Person-specific, not business license.

Applies if restaurant retails sealed food items. Separate from food service permit.

Requires local governing authority recommendation first. Multiple classes available (e.g., pour-only vs. package sales). Fees vary by county.

Required for all restaurants collecting GA sales tax (4% state + local). File monthly/quarterly returns via GTC.

Mandatory for employers. Register via Georgia Tax Center.

Restaurants must collect and remit sales tax on all taxable sales. The state rate is 4%, but combined state + local rates typically range from 6% to 9%. Registration is done via the Georgia Tax Center (GTC).

Required for all employers in Georgia. Employers must withhold state income tax from employee wages and remit it to the DOR. Registration is completed through the Georgia Tax Center (GTC).

All employers with one or more employees must register. The tax rate varies based on experience rating. New employers are assigned a standard rate (currently 2.7% on first $9,500 of each employee’s wages).

Most LLCs are pass-through entities and do not pay corporate income tax. However, if the LLC has elected corporate tax treatment, it must file Form 700. Pass-through entities report income on owners’ personal returns.

All LLCs in Georgia are subject to the net worth tax regardless of income. The tax is based on the entity’s net worth apportioned to Georgia, with a minimum tax of $50. Filed with Form 700 or 705 depending on entity type.

Required for all LLCs, even without employees, to file taxes and open bank accounts. Obtained via IRS Form SS-4 online or by fax.

Most cities and counties require a business license or privilege tax for restaurants. Fees and requirements vary. Example: Atlanta Business Tax Certificate (https://www.atlantaga.gov/departments/finance/office-of-the-treasurer/business-tax).

Filed via Georgia Tax Center (GTC). Filing frequency is determined by the DOR based on expected tax liability. Late filings incur penalties and interest.

Employers must file Form GWTA and remit withheld taxes. Frequency (monthly or quarterly) is assigned by DOR based on volume of withholding.

Form 941 (quarterly federal tax return); Form 940 (federal unemployment tax). EIN required. Deposits must be made via EFTPS (Electronic Federal Tax Payment System).

Restaurants must collect both state and applicable local option sales taxes. Rates vary by county and city (e.g., Fulton County, DeKalb County). Administered through state system but remitted to state for distribution.

Separate registration required if selling alcohol. Tax is $2.70 per gallon for beer, $16.50 per gallon for spirits, and $3.75 per gallon for wine. Must file Form A-300.

Fulton County imposes a 1% meals tax on food and beverages sold for immediate consumption. Other counties may have similar taxes. Collected and remitted through the Georgia Tax Center.

Required for all businesses; restaurants classified under food service

Applies outside Atlanta city limits in Fulton County; separate from city license

Confirm use permitted in zoning district per Atlanta Zoning Ordinance Chapter 15

Required for commercial build-out; plans must meet IBC/Georgia Amendments

Max size 1.5 sq ft per linear ft of building frontage

Covers sprinklers, exits, hood suppression per NFPA/IFC

Verifies compliance with building, fire, zoning codes

Must register with Central Station; annual test required

Separate from state; requires public hearing, zoning approval

Business Tax Registration is a one-time requirement, but changes must be reported within 15 days. Applies to all businesses collecting sales tax or withholding income tax.

Restaurants must collect and remit sales tax on food and beverages sold. Frequency of filing (monthly or quarterly) is assigned by DOR based on expected volume.

Required if the restaurant has employees. Employers must withhold Georgia income tax from employee wages and file Form G-10.

Employers must file Form UI-2 and pay unemployment insurance tax quarterly. New employers typically pay a standard rate of 2.7% for the first 20 quarters.

EIN does not expire. Form 8822-B must be filed within 60 days of a change in responsible party, business name, or address.

LLC taxed as S-corporation files Form 1120-S; LLC taxed as partnership files Form 1065. Extensions available via Form 7004.

Required if the restaurant expects to owe $1,000 or more in federal taxes after withholding. Applies to self-employment income and corporate profits.

Required for corporations and pass-through entities (e.g., LLCs taxed as S-corps) expecting to owe $500 or more in Georgia income tax.

Required for all restaurants serving food. Issued by local county health departments. Includes inspection as part of renewal process.

Inspections based on FDA Food Code. Frequency determined by local health department based on food handling complexity and history.

Required for all commercial occupancies. Includes review of exits, fire extinguishers, alarms, and suppression systems (e.g., hood fire suppression).

Issued by local building department to confirm compliance with zoning and building codes. Not renewed annually unless changes occur.

All alcohol licenses (e.g., Class B Retail License) must be renewed by June 30. Late renewals incur penalties.

Required postings include: Minimum Wage, Equal Employment Opportunity, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), OSHA Safety, and Employee Polygraph Protection Act.

Required postings include: Georgia Workers’ Compensation Notice (Form WC-14), Wage and Hour Law, and Unemployment Insurance.

Includes Food Service Permit, Alcohol License (if applicable), and Business License. Specific requirements vary by municipality.

Includes sales, expenses, payroll, tax filings, and bank statements. IRS recommends keeping records for at least 3 years; 7 years for employment tax records.

Restaurants with fewer than 10 employees are generally exempt. Records must be kept for 5 years.

Mandatory in Georgia for employers with 3 or more employees. Must display Certificate of Insurance in the workplace.

Georgia law mandates workers' compensation coverage for employers with 3 or more employees, including LLC members who draw a salary. Sole proprietors without employees are exempt. Coverage must be obtained from a private insurer or through the state fund.

While not mandated by Georgia state law, general liability insurance is often contractually required. It protects against third-party claims of bodily injury, property damage, or personal injury occurring on premises.

Required under Georgia law for any vehicle registered to a business. Minimum liability limits: $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, $25,000 property damage. Applies regardless of number of vehicles.

While not always listed as a separate policy, liquor liability coverage is required by law in practice due to Georgia's dram shop liability statutes (O.C.G.A. § 51-1-40). Businesses that serve alcohol can be held liable for injuries caused by intoxicated patrons. Most insurers require endorsement to general liability policies.

A surety bond is required as part of the application for most retail liquor licenses in Georgia. The bond amount varies by license type (e.g., $1,000 for a Beer Only license, up to $10,000 for a Class B license). Ensures compliance with state alcohol laws.

Not legally required for restaurants in Georgia. May be recommended for consultants or catering businesses providing specialized services, but not mandated by state law.

Not a standalone legal requirement. However, general liability insurance typically covers product liability claims (e.g., foodborne illness, foreign objects in food). Strongly recommended but not mandated by statute.

Even single-member LLCs without employees may need an EIN to open a business bank account or if they elect corporate taxation. IRS Form SS-4 is used to apply.

LLCs are pass-through entities unless electing corporate taxation. Single-member LLCs are disregarded for federal tax purposes; multi-member LLCs are taxed as partnerships. Owners must report income on personal returns and pay self-employment taxes via Schedule SE.

Restaurants must comply with OSHA standards including hazard communication, emergency exit access, sanitation, and prevention of slips, trips, and falls. Employers must display OSHA poster (OSHA 2203) and report work-related fatalities within 8 hours or hospitalizations within 24 hours.

Restaurants are public accommodations under Title III of the ADA. Must ensure accessible entrances, restrooms, seating, and menus. Online ordering systems must also be accessible. Applies regardless of number of employees.

Restaurants must comply with federal pretreatment standards under the Clean Water Act. Proper grease trap maintenance and prohibition of FOG (fats, oils, grease) discharge into sewers are required. May be enforced locally but based on federal standards.

Applies to all advertising, including online menus, promotions, and social media. Claims must be truthful, substantiated, and not misleading. 'Daily specials' must reflect actual pricing. Applies to all businesses, but restaurants often face scrutiny over portion sizes, sourcing claims (e.g., 'organic'), and pricing.

Applies to all restaurants with employees. Requires payment of federal minimum wage ($7.25/hour), overtime for hours over 40/week, proper tip credit compliance (if applicable), and accurate recordkeeping. Tip pooling and tip reporting rules apply.

Eligible employees are entitled to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying reasons. Requires posting of FMLA notice and proper recordkeeping.

Employers must verify identity and work authorization using Form I-9. E-Verify is not federally required for restaurants unless state law mandates it, but federal contractors must use it.

FDA issues the Food Code as guidance; states adopt it into law. Covers food handling, employee hygiene, temperature control, and source approval. Georgia adopts the FDA Food Code through the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Most restaurants operating solely within Georgia do not need a federal alcohol permit. However, if importing wine or operating across state lines, a federal Basic Permit from TTB is required. State-level licensing (Georgia Department of Revenue) is always required for on-premise sales.

Under the Affordable Care Act, chain restaurants must display calorie counts on menus and menu boards. Additional nutrition information must be available upon request. Applies to full-service and fast-food chains.

All Georgia LLCs must file an annual registration with the Secretary of State. This is not a tax filing but a compliance requirement to maintain active status. Must be filed online via the Georgia Secretary of State’s website.