Business Licensing & Operations in Bartow County, GA (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Bartow County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Unincorporated Bartow County requires a sexually oriented business license before operating any adult bookstore, cabaret, motel, theater, semi-nude model studio, sexual device shop or sexual encounter center. Businesses must also stay 1,000 feet from other adult businesses, alcohol sellers or places of worship, and 500 feet from day cares, schools, parks or residential zoning, per Bartow County Code §§ 4-65 and 4-81.
Bartow County Adult Business Licensing
Significant RestrictionsBartow County Code §§ 4-65, 4-81
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a sexually oriented business in Bartow County without a valid sexually oriented business license. ... It shall be unlawful to establish, operate, or cause to be operated a sexually oriented business in Bartow County, unless said sexually oriented business is at least:(1)One thousand feet from any parcel occupied by another sexually oriented busines...
Massage Establishments
Unincorporated Bartow County's zoning ordinance bars massage therapy or similar services from operating as a home occupation anywhere in the county's residential districts. The rule sits alongside bans on home auto repair, junk yards and manufacturing in the ordinance's list of prohibited home businesses. The county's code has no separate massage-establishment license chapter; zoning is the controlling rule.
Home Massage Therapy Banned in Bartow County
Heavy RestrictionsBartow County Zoning Ordinance § 6.2.I.6
I.Occupations which are not allowed (prohibited). The following uses are examples of home occupations which are not allowed: ... 6)Massage therapy or similar services.
Secondhand Dealers
Secondhand dealers in unincorporated Bartow County, businesses that buy, sell or trade used items like tools, electronics, jewelry or coins, need an annual sheriff-issued permit and a fixed business location under the county's Fair Business Practices Act. Non-pledged goods bought must be held seven days before resale.
Bartow County Secondhand Dealer Licensing
Significant RestrictionsBartow County Code §§ 44-602, 44-608, 44-611
Secondhand dealer. Any company, sole proprietorship, partnership or other entity whose business is dealing in, purchasing, selling or trading regulated secondhand items. However, secondhand dealers shall not include any persons selling their own household items on an occasional basis (for example, a garage sale or yard sale); sales by a nonprofit charity recognized under IRS Sec. 501(c)(3) whic...
Pawnbrokers
Pawnshop owners and employees in unincorporated Bartow County need an annual sheriff-issued permit under the county's Fair Business Practices Act, plus a $25.00 operating fee, a background check, and electronic transaction records. Pledged goods must be held at least 30 days before resale.
Bartow County Pawnbroker Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsBartow County Code §§ 44-602, 44-606, 44-608
Pawnbroker. Any person who works in a pawnshop in the capacity of manager or owner or both. ... Pawnshop. Any business that takes or receives by way of pledge, pawn or exchange, any goods, wares, merchandise or personal property of any kind as security for the repayment of money lent thereon. ... Before either 1) operating a regulated business or 2) becoming an employee of a regulated business,...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Unincorporated Bartow County's zoning ordinance flatly forbids running an automobile sales, service, repair, detailing, paint and body, or tire shop operation as a home occupation. The rule sits on the ordinance's list of prohibited home businesses and applies countywide outside Cartersville, Adairsville, Euharlee, Emerson, Kingston, White and Taylorsville. Violators face citations from the Zoning Administrator.
Home Auto Repair Banned in Bartow County
Heavy RestrictionsBartow County Zoning Ordinance § 6.2.I.2
I.Occupations which are not allowed (prohibited). The following uses are examples of home occupations which are not allowed: ... 2)Automobile sales, service, auctions, detailing, paint and body, repair, tire shops or scrap tire processing operations, and similar automotive related uses.
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