Business Licensing & Operations in Cherokee County, GA (2026)
7 rules for unincorporated Cherokee County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Cherokee County requires an annual adult entertainment license before operating in the unincorporated area, bars the same premises from also holding an alcohol license, and confines these businesses to GC, HC, LI or HI zoning at least 750 feet from homes, schools, churches, parks or other adult businesses.
Cherokee County Adult Entertainment License
Significant RestrictionsCherokee County Code of Ordinances § 18-304
License required. It shall be unlawful for any person, association, partnership, or corporation to operate, engage in, conduct, or carry on, in or upon any premises within the unincorporated area of the county an adult entertainment establishment as defined in this article without first procuring an annual license to do so...No annual license for an adult entertainment establishment shall be is...
Massage Establishments
Cherokee County requires a separate business license for each massage establishment location plus an individual massagist's permit, both gated by fingerprinting, a background check, and a mandatory C-2 zoning location.
Cherokee County Massage Establishment License
Heavy RestrictionsCherokee County Code of Ordinances § 18-239
No person shall engage in or carry on the business of massage unless he has a valid massage business license issued by the county pursuant to the provisions of this division for each separate office or place of business conducted by that person. No license shall be issued for such office or place of business except in a C-2 zone as defined under chapter 70 pertaining to zoning.
Tobacco Retail License
Cherokee County limits tobacco, e-cigarette, and vapor product retailers in the unincorporated county to selling between 11:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., bars sales to and possession by anyone under 21, and lets the Marshal's Office suspend, revoke, or place a retailer's occupation tax license on probation under Code §§ 38-205 through 38-207.
Cherokee County Tobacco and Vape Retailer Rules
Some RestrictionsCherokee County Code of Ordinances §§ 38-205, 38-206
Sec. 38-205. Hours of operation. Any tobacco, electronic cigarette, and other smoking supplies retailers establishment shall only operate for business during the hours of 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sec. 38-206. Offenses involving minors—Vapor products. (a)Age. No person under 21 years of age shall buy or allow to be bought for him any vapor product from any place where these products are kept. No...
Secondhand Dealers
Anyone buying used gold, silver, platinum, or gems for resale in unincorporated Cherokee County must hold a dealer permit from the county Development Service Center under Code § 38-102 before opening for business, on top of the state licensing law it supplements. Numismatic coin dealers are exempt.
Cherokee County Precious Metals Dealer Permit
Significant RestrictionsCherokee County Code of Ordinances §§ 38-101, 38-102
Sec. 38-101. Purpose; authority. (a)This article is enacted for the purposes, among others, of promoting the health and general welfare of the community, establishing reasonable and ascertainable standards for the regulation and control of dealers in precious metals and gems.(b)This article is enacted pursuant to the authority of O.C.G.A. § 43-37-5. The requirements of this article shall be in ...
Pawnbrokers
Cherokee County requires anyone operating as a pawnbroker in the unincorporated area to first file an application with the county development service center and hold a county permit under Code Ch. 38, Art. II. Permits run the calendar year, are non-transferable, and can be denied for felony convictions or false statements.
Cherokee County Pawnbroker Permit Requirements
Significant RestrictionsCherokee County Code of Ordinances § 38-32
All persons, before beginning the business of operating as a pawnbroker, as herein defined, shall first file an application with the county development service center for a permit to conduct such business, shall receive such permit, and shall comply with all requirements of this article.
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Cherokee County lets residents perform a major vehicle overhaul at home only if they occupy the property and own the vehicle, and only inside a garage under § 14-180. Work done outside a garage in a residential zone must finish within 30 days, and commercial-district overhauls require a licensed, properly zoned shop.
Cherokee County Home Auto Repair Limits
Some RestrictionsCherokee County Code of Ordinances § 14-180
(a)No person shall perform a major overhaul of any vehicle or permit any other person to perform a major overhaul of any vehicle on property in a residential zone, unless:(1)The person performing the overhaul is the occupant of the property;(2)The person performing the overhaul is the owner of the vehicle; and(3)The work is done inside a garage or enclosed structure, or if the major overhaul of...
Towing Companies
Cherokee County requires every wrecker service operating in the unincorporated county to hold a business license, carry $1,000,000 in liability and garage-keepers insurance, and follow a county-set fee schedule for public and nonconsent tows. The Wrecker Ordinance in Sections 66-36 through 66-61 assigns approved wreckers to sheriff's-precinct zones and lets vehicle owners choose their own tow service in nonemergency situations.
Cherokee County Wrecker Service Licensing Rules
Significant RestrictionsCherokee County Code of Ordinances §§ 66-38, 66-46
Sec. 66-38. - Unapproved wrecker service to comply with article. It shall be unlawful for any wrecker service, whether an approved wrecker service or not, to use or operate upon any of the streets of the unincorporated area of the county without complying with the provisions of this article. Further, any wrecker service doing business within unincorporated Cherokee County shall be required to o...
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