Business Licensing & Operations in Paulding County, GA (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Paulding County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Paulding County requires a sexually oriented occupation tax certificate for the business and a separate employee license for every worker, and it bars a sexually oriented business from opening within 250 feet of another one, within 500 feet of a church, school, park, library, hospital or residence, or within 500 feet of an alcohol licensee.
Paulding County Adult Business Permits & Spacing
Significant RestrictionsPaulding County, GA, Code of Ordinances § 10-50
It shall be unlawful to establish, operate, or cause to be operated a sexually oriented business in the county, unless said sexually oriented business is at least 250 feet from another sexually oriented business... It shall be unlawful to establish, operate, or cause to be operated a sexually oriented business in the county, unless same is at least 500 feet from a church building, school buildi...
Massage Establishments
Massage therapy businesses in unincorporated Paulding County may only locate in General Business (B-1), Planned Shopping Center (PSC) or Highway Business (B-2) zoning, and only after certification as a Special Exception Use under UDO Section 230-30. The Zoning Administrator signs off on the site before any permit issues, and the operation must also meet every licensing requirement of Georgia's Massage Therapy Practice Act, O.C.G.A. § 43-24A-1 et seq.
Paulding County Massage Establishment Zoning
Significant RestrictionsPaulding County, GA, Unified Development Ordinance §§ 230-30, 230-30.01 (Special Exception Uses; Massage Therapy)
Section 230-30. - Special Exception Uses. A use that, owing to some special characteristics attendant to its operation or installation, is permitted in a district subject to review and sign off by the Zoning Administrator or their designee that the site-specific requirements for maintaining such special exception use are met, and subject to special requirements, as set forth in the specific zon...
Tobacco Retail License
Paulding County will not let a vape, e-cigarette or tobacco retailer open on an unincorporated-area lot without a Special Use Permit from the Board of Commissioners. Section 230-40.04 lists 'Tobacco, Electronic Cigarette and other Smoking Supplies Stores' among uses allowed only in the B-1, PSC and B-2 commercial districts, and only after Planning Commission review and a public hearing.
Paulding County Vape and Tobacco Retail Zoning
Significant RestrictionsPaulding County, GA, UDO §§ 230-40, 230-40.04
Within the unincorporated areas of Paulding County, no building, premises, or land shall be used for any of the following uses which may cause objectionable conditions including, but not limited to, noise, vibrations, smoke, gas, fumes, odors, dust, fire hazards, or other objectionable conditions unless the proposed location, construction, and operation of said use shall be found to not be undu...
Secondhand Dealers
Dealers who buy precious metals or gems in unincorporated Paulding County cannot resell, exchange, melt, cut up or otherwise alter what they purchase until 30 calendar days have passed. The rule targets pawn shops, jewelry buyers and gold-and-silver buying stores registered under state law, giving owners and police a window to recover stolen items before they disappear into scrap.
Paulding County Precious Metal Dealer Holding Rule
Some RestrictionsPaulding County, GA, Code of Ordinances § 46-100
(a)For the purposes of this Code section, a "dealer in precious metals or gems" means any person required to be registered pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 43-37-2(b).(b)It shall be unlawful for any dealer in precious metals or gems or any agent or employee of a dealer in precious metals or gems who makes purchases of precious metals or gems or of goods made from precious metals or gems to sell, exchange...
Pawnbrokers
Paulding County requires a pawnshop to obtain a Special Use Permit before opening, approved by the Board of Commissioners after a Planning Commission recommendation under UDO Section 230-40. In the B-2 Highway Business District, Pawnshops are specifically listed among the uses needing that discretionary approval rather than being permitted by right.
Paulding County Pawnshop Special Use Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsPaulding County, GA, Unified Development Ordinance §§ 230-40.01, 230-40.04
230-40.01 Requirement of Special Use Permit for Certain Activities. Uses controlled in this Section are prohibited unless an approval for a Special Use Permit has been granted by the Board of Commissioners after a recommendation by the Planning Commission based on requirements of this Section and all other applicable provisions of this UDO...230-40.04 Uses Which Require a Special Use Permit:......
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