Who needs a food sales establishment license in Georgia?

Issued by Georgia Department of Agriculture, Food Safety Division (Retail Food Program), at step 4 of 6 in the opening sequence: get the permits for your kind of business.

1 of the 20 kinds of business in Georgia

Bakeries and other shops selling food to take away are licensed here. Apply 30 to 90 days before opening with a written business plan and the floor plans for review, and pass the pre-opening inspection; the Department issues no temporary permits. The owner signs a notarized lawful presence affidavit once.

Checked Oct 17, 2026 against the agency’s page.

Step 4 of 6: Get the permits for your kind of business

  1. Set up the business
  2. Register for tax
  3. Approve the space
  4. Get the permits for your kind of business
  5. Alcohol permits
  6. Before the first hire

Issued by Georgia Department of Agriculture, Food Safety Division (Retail Food Program).

Sources and dates

Department of Agriculture retailers page and retail food sales license application; rule 40-7-1-.40. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.

Questions about opening here.