Opening a Business in Tucker?
The City of Tucker has implemented a new process for businesses looking to open within the city, which includes a three-step application process. In order to make the process easier for business owners, a business application packet has been created that includes all application pages and other relevant signature pages.
While all three applications are included in one packet, the ZUA will be processed and reviewed first to ensure the use complies with zoning before the city will process the CO-New Business and OTC portions of the packet.
In order to be in compliance with the regulations of the City of Tucker, you must obtain a ZUA, a CO for the business, and an OTC. Failure to comply with any of these steps can result in a citation.
Please review this packet in full, as well as the other resources included below on this webpage.
If you are unable to download and digitally sign, please print and submit via email to licenses@tuckerga.gov or deliver to City Hall.
ZONING USE APPROVAL (ZUA):
We recommend completing this step before you sign a lease or purchase a property, as this process ensures your proposed use complies with the zoning regulations for the property. If the use is not permitted on the property, you will need to find another location to operate your business.
CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY (CO) FOR A NEW BUSINESS:
This step includes a floor plan review and on-site life-safety inspection to ensure the business space is safe to occupy and that all required life safety systems for the specific use are in working order. A Certificate of Occupancy – Business is for the business space only and is different from a Certificate of Occupancy for the building. For example, a building with three office spaces would have one Certificate of Occupancy – Building and three Certificates of Occupancy-Business.
Home-based businesses do not require a CO-New Business.
OCCUPATIONAL TAX CERTIFICATE (OTC):
Each person engaged in a business, trade, professional or occupation shall pay an occupational tax to the City of Tucker Finance Department. Note that most people refer to this as a business license, but the official term is OTC. The OTC is required to be renewed annually.
Places of worship and non-profits are not required to obtain an OTC.
ADDITIONAL FORMS AND RESOURCES
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS FOR NEW BUSINESSES
- Amusement Game Room License. Businesses that wish to have coin operated amusement machines are required to obtain an Amusement Game Room License from the city and comply with the regulations in Chapter 10, Article XIV.
- Alcohol. The sale of alcohol (retail and/or on-site consumption) requires a City of Tucker and State of Georgia Alcohol License.
- Building Modifications. If you plan on doing any construction or modifications in the space, including exterior modifications, you will likely need a building permit.
- Signage. All signage, both temporary and permanent, requires a sign permit. The sign permit should be obtained before the signage is manufactured/installed.
- City of Tucker Business Outreach Specialist. Provides concierge service to new and existing Tucker businesses, assisting them with obtaining their OTC and navigating DeKalb County permitting while also connecting our businesses with city and county resources from Ribbon Cuttings to workforce development support.
- DeKalb County Watershed Management (DWM) provides all water and sewer services for businesses within the City of Tucker. If your landlord or property owner does not maintain an account, you will need reach out to DWM to set up an account or change the billing information on an existing account. A FOG review is required for any business which serves food..
- DeKalb County Sanitation provides trash collection services for businesses within the City of Tucker. If your landlord or property owner does not maintain an account, you will need to reach out to DeKalb Sanitation to set up an account. Please note that all new dumpsters are required to be enclosed per the City of Tucker Zoning Ordinance.
- DeKalb County Health Department. Any establishment in which food is being served will need approval from the DeKalb County Health Department. This includes schools, day cares, churches, as well as restaurants. dekalbhealth.net/envhealth/food-safety/