Home Bakery (Cottage Food) Permit Requirements in Atlanta, GA

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you operate as an LLC, corporation, or partnership, or if you have employees. Sole proprietors with no employees may use their Social Security Number instead. Apply free online through the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate

   Free

   Immediate

1. Georgia Cottage Food — No License Required (Registration Optional)

   Under Georgia's cottage food law (originally SB 227, significantly expanded by HB 398), cottage food operators producing non-potentially-hazardous foods such as breads, cakes, jams, jellies, dried herbs, nuts, and vinegars may sell directly to consumers with no mandatory state license and no annual sales cap. Online sales and intrastate shipping are permitted. Operators may voluntarily register with the Georgia Department of Agriculture's Food Safety Division; a license application form is available from GDA, but it is not legally required for direct-to-consumer sales.

   Official government source

   Free (no mandatory state license)·N/A

   Free (no mandatory state license)

   N/A

2. Georgia Department of Agriculture — Cottage Food License (Voluntary or for Wholesale)

   While not required for direct-to-consumer cottage food sales, operators who wish to sell to retail stores, restaurants, or other third parties, or who wish to obtain official recognition, may apply for a cottage food license through the Georgia Department of Agriculture. The license requires proof of citizenship or legal residency (Secure & Verifiable documents). Contact GDA's Food Safety Division for current fee and requirements.

   Official government source

   Contact Georgia Department of Agriculture for current fee·2–4 weeks

   Contact Georgia Department of Agriculture for current fee

   2–4 weeks

1. City of Atlanta Occupational Tax Certificate (Business License)

   All businesses operating within the City of Atlanta — including home-based cottage food operations — must obtain an Occupational Tax Certificate from the City of Atlanta Department of Finance. The annual registration fee as of 2026 is $191, plus $25 per employee (first employee exempt). Failure to renew by February 15 results in a $500 penalty. Apply online through the ATLBIZ portal.

   Official government source

   $191 annual registration fee (plus $25 per additional employee)·1–2 weeks

   $191 annual registration fee (plus $25 per additional employee)

   1–2 weeks

Official Sources

• Georgia Department of Agriculture — Cottage Food
• Georgia Department of Agriculture — Cottage Food Licenses
• Georgia Department of Agriculture — Cottage Food FAQ
• City of Atlanta — Apply for a Business License (Occupational Tax Certificate)
• Georgia Cottage Food Laws 2026 — Standscout

Related Guides