Business Licensing & Operations in Newton County, GA (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Newton County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Unincorporated Newton County requires a separate adult entertainment establishment license from Development Services on top of a business license, and Sec. 4-34 bars these businesses from sitting within 1,000 to 2,500 feet of homes, schools, churches, parks, other adult businesses and alcohol sellers.
Adult Entertainment License in Newton County
Heavy RestrictionsNewton County Code §§ 4-34, 4-59
No adult entertainment establishment or use restricted hereunder shall be located: (1)Within 1,000 feet of any parcel of land which is either zoned or used for residential uses or purposes;(2)Within 1,000 feet of any public or private school building and school grounds, college campus, public place of worship, governmental building, library, civic center, public park or playground, recreational...
Massage Establishments
Operating a massage or spa establishment in unincorporated Newton County requires a massage/spa establishment license from development services, on top of an occupation tax certificate, with a criminal background check and a 60-day issue-or-deny decision.
Massage Establishment License Required in Newton County
Significant RestrictionsNewton County Code § 12-46
(a)Massage/spa establishment license required. It shall be unlawful for any person or legal entity to operate a massage establishment or a spa establishment in the county without a valid massage/spa establishment license or exemption therefrom. This license requirement is in addition to obtaining an occupation tax certificate pursuant to article VII of chapter 44. ... (d)Issuance of license. Up...
Tattoo & Body Modification
Every tattoo, piercing and other body craft studio operating in Newton County must hold a permit from the county board of health's director, applied for at least 30 days before opening. Studios are inspected at least twice a year, must operate from a fixed facility, and can lose their permit for code violations or false applications.
Newton County Tattoo And Body Craft Permit
Significant RestrictionsNewton County Code § 30-28(a)-(b)
All owners of body craft studios must obtain a permit from the director. No body craft shall be performed outside the confines of a current and validly permitted body craft studio. The owner shall apply to the director for a permit to operate in the county at least 30 days prior to the anticipated date of operation of the body craft studio. ... The permit application shall be on forms promulgat...
Tobacco Retail License
Retailers in unincorporated Newton County who sell bongs, hookah pipes, or other non-traditional tobacco paraphernalia must obtain an annual license from the Department of Development Services business license office by December 31 each year. Licensees must pay a board-set fee and store the inventory near other tobacco products or behind a counter at least ten feet from a window.
Newton County Tobacco Paraphernalia License
Some RestrictionsNewton County Code § 12-149
(b)Any person who offers for sale any item of non-traditional tobacco paraphernalia shall, no later than December 31, 2018, and by December 31 of each year thereafter, apply to the county department of development services, business license office, for a non-traditional tobacco paraphernalia license and shall pay an annual license fee in an amount to be set by resolution of the board of commiss...
All Newton County ordinances
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