Occupational Tax

To operate a business in Dacula, you must have a current occupational tax certificate, commonly referred to as a business license. All businesses operating within the city are required to display their occupational tax certificates in a prominent place within public view.

Obtaining a new occupational tax certificate

STEP 1: Confirm that your business location is within the Dacula city limits. A Dacula mailing address does not ensure the property is within the city limits. Post office boxes can be used for mailing addresses but not business locations. To verify if you are within the city limits, contact City Hall at 770-963-7451. If you are within the city limits, you do not need to get a certificate from Gwinnett County. 

• Once you have verified the desired location is within the city limits, you then need to verify the proper zoning and property use for your proposed business. You must obtain this approval prior to signing any lease agreement.

STEP 2: For new commercial locations, the following documents are required:

• New Business License Application - complete all forms provided. Print and sign. (Note that some forms require notarization)
• Copy of Fire Marshal Certificate of Occupancy from Gwinnett Fire Services
  • To obtain a certificate of occupancy, submit an online request to the Gwinnett County Fire Marshal. A copy of this certificate must be presented to the City of Dacula in order to complete City inspections.
• Copy of City of Dacula Compliance Inspection**
  • To obtain a certificate of occupancy, submit an inspection request either online or to City Hall. A copy of the approved certificate must be on file with the City in order to begin processing the occupational tax certificate application. The process for obtaining a certificate of occupancy usually requires about a week. It takes about two business days to process a new occupational tax certificate.
• Massage Parlor Application (for massage parlors only) - complete all forms in addition to the new business license application. Print and sign. (Note: Fingerprints are required)

**Please note that new businesses as well as those that are changing names, changing ownership, or moving to a new location must obtain a new certificate of occupancy through the Gwinnett County Fire Marshal and the City of Dacula. This certificate is required before you may legally occupy your building, obtain your occupational tax certificate, and conduct business operations. For those changing names, ownership, or moving to a new location, please submit a completed Change Request form within 10 days of the change.

►For home-based businesses, the following documents are required:

• New Business License Application
• Home Occupation Affidavit
• Complete all forms provided. Print and sign. (Note that some forms require notarization)

Gwinnett County Assessor

Personal Property - Business reporting is required. Email personal.property@gwinnettcounty.com with questions.

STEP 3:
Submit forms in one of the following ways:

• by mail to P.O. Box 400 Dacula Ga 30019
• deliver in person to 442 Harbins Road Dacula Ga 30019
• scan/email documents to daculacityhall@daculaga.gov

STEP 4:

• The City only processes application that are 100% complete. If you send electronically, once all paperwork has been approved, you will receive an invoice via email. You may pay in person, by mail, or over the phone. If you apply in person, payment will be accepted at time of submission. You may pay with cash, check, or credit/debit card. Surcharges are added for card transactions. 
• Your OTC will be mailed or may be picked up in person.

Business Renewals / Closures

Visit our Occupational Tax Renewal page for further details on how to renew your business.

If your business has closed, moved, or sold, please fill out the Change Request form and email the completed form to daculacityhall@daculaga.gov. 

Please be aware: Georgia’s “Illegal Immigration Reform and Enforcement Act of 2011” (HB 87) requires that business license applicants and renewals be in compliance with new state immigration and identification standards. In order to be in compliance, the City of Dacula must require the affidavits and verifiable documentation that are included and identified in the application forms referenced above.

Under Georgia Law, employers must now register and utilize the FEDERAL WORK AUTHORIZATION PROGRAM in accordance with the applicable provisions and deadlines established in OCGA § 36-60-6(a). For more information please visit uscis.gov/e-verify The City of Dacula will not issue initial licenses, certificates or renewals without a completed Private Employer Affidavit on file.