Business Licensing & Operations in Chatham County, GA (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated Chatham County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Chatham County requires an annual license before any adult bookstore, explicit media outlet, or adult movie house can operate in the unincorporated county, and bars these businesses from locating within 200 yards of a church, school, park, hospital, or private residence. Applicants must also pass a Chatham County Police Department background check.
Adult Business Licensing in Chatham County
Significant RestrictionsCode of Chatham County § 16-207
All businesses required to be licensed under this ordinance shall be licensed to do business only in areas zoned for commercial or industrial purposes. The location of the business shall not be within 200 yards of any church, synagogue, or other religious houses of worship, Christian book store, public park, public housing project, hospital, any school, college, recreation center, or private re...
Massage Establishments
Any massage therapy practice operating in unincorporated Chatham County needs its own annual business license under Sec. 16-802, separate from the therapist's state license. The practice must sit in a commercially or industrially zoned area at least 200 yards from a school, church, park, hospital or private residence.
Massage Establishment Licensing in Chatham County
Significant RestrictionsCode of Chatham County §§ 16-802, 16-807
It is declared that for the protection of the public health, safety and general welfare, massage therapy practices shall be regulated and that an annual business license shall be required to operate a massage therapy practice in unincorporated Chatham County, Georgia. Any license issued hereunder shall be subject to the regulations, restrictions and revocation as set forth herein. The annual li...
Tattoo & Body Modification
Chatham County incorporates the Board of Health's Rules and Regulations for Body Art Studios and Tattoo/Body Piercing Artists directly into county ordinance under section 21-110(1)(g). Violating those incorporated rules is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine, and unpaid inspection fees can lead to permit suspension within 14 days of notice.
Tattoo & Body Art Rules in Chatham County
Some RestrictionsCode of Chatham County §21-110(1)(g), (3)
§21-110 Enforcement of Chatham County Environmental Health Regulations. ... 1. This ordinance specifically incorporates by reference the provision of the following rules and regulations, which are in force at the time of the adoption of this ordinance: ... g. Rules and Regulations pertaining to Body Art Studios and Tattoo/Body Piercing Artists (adopted by the Chatham County Board of Health as s...
Secondhand Dealers
Chatham County requires anyone operating a pawnshop or similar secondhand dealing business in the unincorporated county to hold a valid occupational license before opening, under the Chatham County Pawnbrokers Ordinance. Licensees must record, photograph and fingerprint every seller, report daily to police, and hold goods 30 days before resale or disposal.
Pawnbroker Licensing Rules in Chatham County
Significant RestrictionsCode of Chatham County §§ 16-1103, 16-1107
All persons, before beginning the business of operating a pawnshop, or similar place involving pawn transactions, shall secure a valid license pursuant to the requirements of the Chatham County Occupational and Regulatory Tax Ordinance. ... All personal property acquired by the licensee, whether by pawn, purchase, barter, trade or otherwise, shall be held and maintained by the licensee at the l...
Pawnbrokers
Chatham County requires anyone operating a pawnshop in the unincorporated county to hold a license under Sec. 16-1103, keep detailed transaction records with photographs and fingerprints, and hold pledged goods for 30 days before disposal. Business hours are capped at 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. under Sec. 16-1106.
Pawnbroker Licensing Rules in Chatham County, GA
Significant RestrictionsCode of Chatham County §§ 16-1103, 16-1106, 16-1108
All persons, before beginning the business of operating a pawnshop, or similar place involving pawn transactions, shall secure a valid license pursuant to the requirements of the Chatham County Occupational and Regulatory Tax Ordinance. ... Pawnbrokers may keep their place of business open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., except Saturdays and the week before Christmas, when the hour of closing shal...
Towing Companies
Chatham County Police keep a rotating 'head-out' wrecker list, and getting on it means running a business that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, carries liability insurance, and posts towing rates capped by county ordinance. A wrecker that misses a dispatch call, monitors police radio for profit, or fails inspection gets pulled from the list under Sec. 10-602 through 10-604 of the county code.
Wrecker Service Rules in Chatham County, GA
Some RestrictionsCode of Chatham County Sec. 10-604
Charges will not be greater than those contained in this chapter. Such rates will be posted in the place of business in such a manner as to be prominently displayed for the attention and information of claimants of vehicles which have been towed. Chatham County will not be responsible for any charges placed against a towed vehicle. All charges will be paid by the vehicle owner or by sums derive...
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