Home Business in Chatham County, GA (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Chatham County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Zoning & Home Occupation Permits
Chatham County's zoning ordinance allows a home occupation carried on inside a dwelling, using no more than 25% of the gross livable area, employing only resident family members, and using only equipment customarily found in the home.
Home Business Zoning in Chatham County
Some RestrictionsChatham County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 2-28
An occupation carried on within a dwelling, occupying no greater than 25% of the gross livable area of the dwelling, employing only family members residing in the home, using only such equipment as is customarily found in the home.
Signage Rules
A home occupation in Chatham County must involve no display of articles or products or signs. On-premise business signs and window displays are effectively prohibited so the property keeps its residential appearance.
Home Business Signs in Chatham County
Some RestrictionsChatham County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 2-28
...involving no display of articles or products or signs, and, except as otherwise provided, having no on-site storage of equipment, or materials used to deliver products or provide services off-site.
Cottage Food Operations
Georgia lets residents make non-hazardous baked goods, jams, jellies, and preserves in a home kitchen as a cottage food operation. Products must be sold directly to the end consumer, with no wholesale or distribution allowed.
Cottage Food Rules in Chatham County
Some RestrictionsGa. Comp. R. & Regs. 40-7-19-.02, -.05
"Cottage food products" means non-potentially hazardous baked goods, jams, jellies, preserves, and other non-potentially hazardous foods produced in the home kitchen of a domestic residence... Sale of cottage food products must be to the end consumer. No distribution or wholesale is allowed, including to hotels, restaurants, or institutions.
Home Daycare
A Georgia family child care learning home cares for at least three but not more than six unrelated children under 13. Section 2-28 lets Chatham County treat it as a home occupation, but it must be licensed by Bright from the Start (DECAL).
Home Daycare Rules in Chatham County
Some RestrictionsO.C.G.A. Section 20-1A-2
"Family day care home" means a private residence operated by any person who receives therein for pay for supervision and care... at least three but not more than six children under 13 years of age who are not related to such person... provided, however, that the total number of unrelated children cared for in such home, for pay and not for pay, may not exceed six children under 13 years of age ...
All Chatham County ordinances
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