Regulatory and Licensing Requirements
Navigating the maze of regulations and requirements for licenses, permits, and taxes among the various city and state government agencies can be confusing and overwhelming. To aid you in the process, click the Guide to Starting a Business in Perry.
Please note that no guide can address regulations pertaining to every business; contact the appropriate agency or department directly to identify the appropriate process for your particular business.
- Alcohol Sales
- You may have certain restrictions if your business involves the sale of alcohol:
- Proper zoning
- May require a public hearing process
- Setbacks from schools, churches, may apply
- State license may be required
- You may have certain restrictions if your business involves the sale of alcohol:
- Business License
- A City of Perry occupational tax license may be issued:
after the business license inspection is approved by both the Community Development and Fire & Emergency Services departments all other permits and/or licenses are obtained
- A City of Perry occupational tax license may be issued:
- Business License Inspection
- Prior to being issued a business license, an inspection at the business location must be performed by the Community Development and Fire & Emergency Services departments. Both departments will check to make sure the location is safe for the public.
Please contact the Community Development Department at (478) 988-2720 for further information and to schedule an inspection.
24-hour notice is required for inspection requests.
- Prior to being issued a business license, an inspection at the business location must be performed by the Community Development and Fire & Emergency Services departments. Both departments will check to make sure the location is safe for the public.
- Coin-Operated Machines
- A coin-operated amusement machine license is required if your business has machines which give reward tickets, tokens, etc.
Coin-operated amusement machines giving a reward may have to meet certain setbacks. For example, you must be 100 yards from a church and 200 yards from a school.
- A coin-operated amusement machine license is required if your business has machines which give reward tickets, tokens, etc.
- Downtown Facade Grant
- Is your business located in the Downtown Development District? It may be possible to receive a façade grant from the Perry Main Street Board.
The façade improvements must meet the criteria established and approved by the board.
Façade Grant Information
- Is your business located in the Downtown Development District? It may be possible to receive a façade grant from the Perry Main Street Board.
- Financial Assistance
- Depending on the proposed location, your business may be eligible for Opportunity Zone tax credits. State and federal assistance programs are also available to eligible businesses.
Contact the Economic Development Department for more information.
- Depending on the proposed location, your business may be eligible for Opportunity Zone tax credits. State and federal assistance programs are also available to eligible businesses.
- Food Service Business
- Food service businesses maybe require Houston County Health Department approval along with meeting all City of Perry requirements.
- Home Occupation
- Home-based businesses may be approved by the Community Development Department without City Council approval if certain conditions are met.
The complete application can be found under Community Development Documents and Forms.
Please contact the Community Development Department at (478) 988-2720 for further information.
- Home-based businesses may be approved by the Community Development Department without City Council approval if certain conditions are met.
- New Construction
- If you are developing a site relative to your business, there are a series of requirements the City has for:
- zoning
- land use
- parking
- signs
- building codes
- soil erosion control
- stormwater management
- and possible other areas
The more detail you provide the quicker your application will be processed.
Additionally, depending on your business location, the Georgia Department of Transportation and/or US Army Corps of Engineers permits may be required.
Please contact the Community Development Department at (478) 988-2720 for guidelines to assist you.
- If you are developing a site relative to your business, there are a series of requirements the City has for:
- Remodeling Activity
- The Community Development and/or Fire & Emergency Services department will require a building permit and inspections if your business requires any structural changes to the building.
Cosmetic alterations, such as painting, new carpet, etc., do not require a building permit.
Contact the Community Development Department at 478-988-2720 and Fire & Emergency Services at 478-988-2850 for additional information.
- The Community Development and/or Fire & Emergency Services department will require a building permit and inspections if your business requires any structural changes to the building.
- Signs
- Contact the Community Development Department at 478-988-2720 before ordering business signs.
The City of Perry has a number of different zoning districts that regulate signage with certain variation requirements and restrictions.
- Contact the Community Development Department at 478-988-2720 before ordering business signs.
- Utilities
- The City offers:
- Natural Gas, Water, Sewer
- Grease trap servicing and garbage collection
Services can be activated by visiting Customer Service.
Electric company providers (depending on the location):
- Georgia Power
- Flint EMC
Internet providers (telephone/television/Internet):
- Kinetic by Windstream
- Hargray
- The City offers:
- Zoning
- Full disclosure of your proposed uses is requested prior to a zoning determination by the City.
Please contact the Community Development Department at (478) 988-2720 for zoning information.
- Full disclosure of your proposed uses is requested prior to a zoning determination by the City.
