The Steps for Starting a New Business in The City of Newnan
The business owner must obtain a New Business Occupational Tax Form from the Finance Department, located in City Hall at 25 LaGrange Street. The form can also be printed from the link below. The owner must complete the form, which includes information such as name of business, type of business, address, tax id numbers, etc.
The application is then taken to the Planning and Zoning Department (2nd Floor of Newnan City Hall) to verify zoning and building safety codes. If the building is new or has recently been inspected, the process is almost always completed as the owner waits. If the building requires on-site inspection, the process is typically completed within 24 hours.
The approved application is taken back to the Finance Department to finalize. Below is additional information concerning the Business Licensing Processing, including links to forms and other information.
Occupational Taxes
All businesses operating in the City of Newnan are required to obtain (and display) a current annual Occupational Tax Certificate. Additionally, retail establishments which sell alcohol (on-premises or off-premises) are required to obtain an alcohol license each year. No business license of any type will be issued by the City if the business has any type of delinquent revenues (taxes, grass cutting, etc) due to the City. 
City ordinances regulate the sale of alcholic beverages. Businesses with on-premise consumption must maintain a ratio of at least 55% food sales (of total gross receipts) at all times. No stand-alone bars or night clubs are permitted within the City. This information is reported to the City on the Quarterly Sales Report. See below for further information and a link to the form. Failure to submit the quarterly report or maintain the correct ratio of food sales will result in revocation of the alcohol license.
New businesses can obtain an Occupational Tax Certificate by completing and submitting the New Business Occupational Tax Form and Affidavit Verifying Status to the City of Newnan for approval. All new businesses require zoning approval; therefore a representative of the company must visit City Hall with the paperwork to obtain zoning approval prior to the certificate being issued by the Finance department. Retail and annual occupational tax fees are based on gross receipts of the business.
Initial fees are generally based on estimated gross receipts; then subsequent renewals are based on prior year gross receipts of the business. A copy of the business tax return, P & L statement, Schedule C, etc. (substantiating gross receipts reported) is required when renewing an existing license. The Occupational Tax Calculation Worksheet is used to determine reportable gross receipts for renewals.
Additional information may be required prior to issuing the certificate for the business. Examples include citizenship confirmation, state license, health department approval, professional license, etc.
Once all paperwork is submitted and approved, and all appropriate fees paid, the Occupational Tax Certificate will be issued by the City. Appropriate fees include any revenues owed to the City of Newnan. Occupational tax certificates will not be issued to any business or business owner who owes delinquent revenues of any type to the City.
Business Name or Location Changes
The City is to be notified of all name changes and transfers of ownership or location of the business. The Amended Occupational Tax Form is to be utilized for this purpose. Location changes require zoning approval. The appropriate fees are listed on the form.
Occupational Tax Certificate renewals are due by April 1st each year, with renewal packets automatically mailed by the City the first week in January. These packets contain the actual tax return for the business and must be submitted. If lost or misplaced, there will be a fee for duplication of the form, since the City does not keep a copy on file Fees are based on prior year gross receipts of the business, therefore a copy of the tax return (or P & L, Schedule C, etc) must be submitted with the renewal application. Substantial penalties result when renewals are submitted after the due date. No penalties will be waived, regardless of the reason.
Alcohol license renewals are required by December 31st each year. Renewal packets are mailed during the last week in September. License fees are based on the type of alcohol sold and whether the sales are off-premises or on-premises. Please see the Fee Schedule for specific fees. Failure to provide all documentation and renew by December 31st will result in cancellation of the license; the owner will have to begin the process all over again, including application, advertising, etc.
Additionally, establishments with on-premises consumption are required to file a Quarterly Sales Report with the City, along with a monthly 3% Alcohol Tax report. This monthly report must be received by the City by the 10th day of each month; otherwise a penalty is imposed. Failure to file the required reports will result in revocation of the alcohol license.
For more information concerning Occupational Taxes in the City of Newnan, please see the City of Newnan's Code of Ordinances or contact Ronda Helton via email @
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