Business License (Occupational Tax Certificate) — Unincorporated DeKalb County
Businesses in unincorporated DeKalb must hold a current occupational tax certificate; the 2026 renewal period runs January 1 to April 15.
Overview
All businesses operating in unincorporated DeKalb must hold a current occupational tax certificate, issued by the DeKalb County Business & Alcohol License Office (178 Sams Street, Decatur · 404-371-2461 · BLicense@dekalbcountyga.gov). A Certificate of Occupancy is required first for new commercial applications.
Food service applications also require the DeKalb Board of Health food service license and most recent approved inspection report, plus a FOG Certificate of Water Discharge permit from Watershed Management. Tax is based on gross receipts/profitability class and employee count; affidavits (SAVE public-benefit; E-Verify for 10+ employees) are required.
Renewal
Annual — the 2026 renewal period runs January 1 – April 15.
What SpoonSeal tracks
The document(s) you upload for this requirement, with automatic renewal/expiration tracking (Current, Due Soon, Expired). Where the city publishes health-inspection results (e.g., NYC and Chicago), SpoonSeal syncs them automatically; elsewhere they can be added manually.
Stay ahead of this requirement
SpoonSeal stores your documents, tracks expirations, and reminds you before anything lapses — so you are always inspection-ready.
Get started free →This guide is informational and not legal advice. Always confirm current requirements with the official agency linked above.