Business Licensing & Operations in DeKalb County, GA (2026)

DeKalb County Code § 15-404

It shall be unlawful for any person, association, partnership, corporation, or other business entity, to engage in, operate, conduct or carry on, in or upon any premises, an adult entertainment establishment without first having complied with the provisions of this article, or without a currently valid DeKalb County license for the operation of an adult entertainment establishment. No license i...

DeKalb County Code §§ 15-266, 15-267(b), 15-270(b), 15-277(b), 15-278

The term "massage establishment" shall mean any business established for profit which employs or contracts with one (1) or more "massage therapists," or operates or maintains for profit one (1) or more "massage apparatus", and which, for good or valuable consideration, offers to the public facilities and personnel for the administration of "massages." ... Massage establishment license. It shall...

DeKalb County Code § 13-300

The rules and regulations of the State of Georgia governing body art, as currently set out in GA. Comp. R. & Regs., Chapter 511-3-8, Section 511-3-8.01 et seq., as they currently exist or as may be amended hereafter, are adopted in their entirety by this reference as if set out fully in this section.

DeKalb County Code § 27-3.22.4, § 27-3.22.5(D)(28)

Smoke/tobacco/vape shop or store: Any business dedicated to the display, sale, distribution, delivery, offering, furnishing, or marketing of tobacco products or paraphernalia, vape products, or any combination thereof. This definition excludes grocery stores; convenience stores; small-box, discount retail stores; or other similar retail establishments in which cigar, cigarette, vape, and tobacc...

DeKalb County Code § 15-191(a)

No business license shall be issued to conduct the business of purchasing precious metals or gems until the annual permit required by this section has been issued by the police department.(b)No dealer shall engage in the business of purchasing precious metals or gems without having first obtained an annual permit issued by the police department and no dealer shall allow an employee to be involv...

DeKalb County Code § 15-139(a)

All persons, before beginning the business of operating a pawnshop or becoming an employee of a pawnshop or similar place where money is advanced on goods or other effects or merchandise of any kind is taken in pawn, shall first file an application with the police department and obtain an annual permit to conduct or be employed in the business. No permit shall be issued until a fee in the amoun...

DeKalb County Code § 27-4.2.31(C)(7)

Home occupation shall not include the use of a dwelling unit for the purpose of operating any automobile repair establishment, or car wash.8.Occupations that are mobile or dispatch-only may be allowed, provided that any business vehicle used for the home occupation complies with section 6.1.3, and is limited to one (1) business vehicle per occupation.D.Private educational services shall comply ...

DeKalb County Code §§ 26-5, 26-6, 26-9–26-12

It shall be unlawful for any person to operate or cause to be operated, any wrecker within the unincorporated boundaries of the county without first having obtained a business license from the county. The business license shall not be transferable. ... The department shall petition the finance department to revoke the business license of any wrecker owner or operator when such person has been f...