The Home Based Business Acknowledgement Form is a City of Marietta form, printed on Department of Development Services letterhead, in which the owner of a business run from a residence confirms receiving the city's zoning standards for home occupational permits and agrees to follow them. It is one of the documents that goes with a Marietta business license application for a business operating out of a residence. On FillingPDF you can fill out the form online and download or print the completed PDF; the city publishes the official PDF, and the form is submitted through the city's channels described below.
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What is Home Based Business Acknowledgement Form – Marietta, GA?
The Home Based Business Acknowledgement Form is a City of Marietta, Georgia, form on which a person running a business from a residence acknowledges receiving the city's zoning standards for home occupational permits and agrees to comply with Section 712.04 of the Comprehensive Development Code.
By signing, the owner affirms having been given a copy of those standards and understands that, if found in violation, the business license may be revoked immediately, in addition to other penalties under law. The form asks for only four entries: the signer's printed name, the name of the business, the address of the business, and a signature with a date. Section 712.04, Home Occupations, is printed on the pages that follow the signature block.
That section sorts home occupations into two types. In Type A, residents use the home as a place of work, home office or business mailing address, and employees or customers may not come to the site. In Type B, the business brings employees, consultants, agents, subcontractors or customers to the property, and it must obtain a Special Land Use Permit from City Council. Deviation from any standard requires a variance approval from City Council.
The form is not the business license. The City's Applications & Forms page lists it among the items that accompany the General Business License application for businesses operating out of a residence.
Who needs to file Home Based Business Acknowledgement Form – Marietta, GA?
The owner of a business operated out of a residence in the City of Marietta signs this form. The City's Applications & Forms page describes it as the form "for businesses operating out of a residence," and it is part of the General Business License application package, together with the license application, two notarized affidavits and copies of appropriate identification.
What the signer agrees to depends on the type of home occupation:
- Type A businesses accept restrictions such as no clients, non-resident employees or customers on the premises, no signage, and no advertisement containing the property's address.
- Type B businesses, which bring employees, consultants, agents, subcontractors or customers to the site, must also hold a Special Land Use Permit from City Council.
All home occupations accept the general provisions of Section 712.04, including limits on floor space, vehicles, noise and outside storage, and periodic inspections by the Department of Development Services.
Businesses that do not operate from a residence are not described as needing this form. The form leaves no space for a representative: the person named in the first line signs it.
When to file Home Based Business Acknowledgement Form – Marietta, GA
Complete this form when you apply for a City of Marietta business license for a business operating from your residence, because the city lists it with the General Business License application. The city states that every business operating within the city limits must have a current business license, and that home occupation licenses are recertified annually under Section 712.04(C)(12); the form prints no separate due date of its own.
Timing also matters after the license is issued. Under Section 712.04(C)(2), an alteration or addition that expands the floor area of the principal structure dedicated to the home occupation voids the existing business license and requires a new one, subject to property compliance verification by the Department of Development Services. For a Type B home occupation, a new public hearing must be held for the Special Land Use Permit rights to be reestablished.
Documents you need
- General Business License application, completed for the City of Marietta; the city lists this form among the items that accompany that application for a business operating out of a residence.
- Affidavit Verifying Status, notarized, submitted with the General Business License application.
- Private Employer Affidavit, notarized, submitted with the General Business License application.
- Copies of appropriate identification, required with the General Business License application.
- For a Type B home occupation: a Special Land Use Permit from City Council, which Section 712.04(B) requires because customers, employees, consultants, agents or subcontractors come to the site.
How to fill out Home Based Business Acknowledgement Form – Marietta, GA
Read the home occupation standards
Review Section 712.04, Home Occupations, printed after the signature block. Confirm whether your business is Type A or Type B before you sign.
Print your name
In the opening statement, write your name where it says "I (print name)". This is the person who acknowledges and agrees to the standards.
Enter the name of the business
On the first line of the signature block, write the Name of Business.
Enter the address of the business
On the second line, write the Address of Business, the residence where the home occupation operates.
Sign the acknowledgement
Sign on the Signature line. Your signature affirms that you received the city's zoning standards and agree to comply with them.
Date the form
Enter the date next to your signature in the Date field.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check the name, business name and address, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF. Assemble it with the rest of your business license package and submit it through the channels described under How to submit.
How to submit Home Based Business Acknowledgement Form – Marietta, GA
The form prints no submission instructions of its own. The City's Applications & Forms page says that applications, affidavits, forms, identification and payment for the license types it lists are submitted by mail or in person to the Business License Division.
- In person: Business License Division, 205 Lawrence Street, Marietta, GA.
- By mail: City of Marietta, Business License Division, PO Box 609, Marietta, GA 30061-0609.
For a General Business License, send the signed acknowledgement together with the license application, the notarized Affidavit Verifying Status and Private Employer Affidavit, and copies of appropriate identification. License fees apply and are based on annual gross receipts or the number of employees, whichever is greater; ask the city for the current amount. For zoning or variance questions, the city lists the Planning & Zoning Department at 770-794-5669. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Signing without reading Section 712.04, which is printed after the signature block; the signer affirms having received the standards and agrees to comply.
- Submitting the acknowledgement alone when the General Business License application, notarized affidavits and identification copies are also listed as part of the package.
- Treating a business that has customers, employees or agents coming to the property as Type A; those are Type B and require a Special Land Use Permit from City Council.
- Using more than 750 square feet or 25% of the dwelling's floor space, whichever is less, including attached garages, for the home occupation.
- Putting signage or an advertisement with the property address on it for a Type A business; both are prohibited.
- Expanding the floor area used for the business without a new license; such an alteration voids the existing business license.
- Leaving the business name, business address, signature or date blank on the form.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Home Based Business Acknowledgement Form?
It is a City of Marietta form on which the owner of a business run from a residence confirms receiving the city's zoning standards for home occupational permits and agrees to comply with Section 712.04 of the Comprehensive Development Code.
Is this form the Marietta business license?
No. It is a supporting document. The city's Applications & Forms page lists it with the General Business License application, two notarized affidavits and copies of identification for businesses operating out of a residence.
What is the difference between a Type A and a Type B home occupation?
Type A businesses use the home for work, an office or a mailing address and have no employees or customers coming to the site. Type B businesses do have them and need a Special Land Use Permit from City Council.
How much of my home can I use for a home business in Marietta?
No more than 750 square feet or 25% of the dwelling unit's floor space, whichever is less, including attached garages. Section 712.04(C)(1) sets this limit for all home occupations.
What happens if I violate the home occupation standards?
The form states that if you are found in violation, your business license may be revoked immediately, in addition to other penalties under law. Section 712.04 also subjects home occupations to periodic inspections by the Department of Development Services.
Where do I submit the Home Based Business Acknowledgement Form?
Submit it with your license application to the Business License Division by mail or in person. The office is at 205 Lawrence Street, Marietta, GA; the mailing address is PO Box 609, Marietta, GA 30061-0609.
Do I have to renew my home occupation business license?
Yes, it is recertified annually. Section 712.04(C)(12) says the Department of Development Services must approve all business licenses, which are recertified each year. Ask the Business License Division how to renew.
Can I fill out the Home Based Business Acknowledgement Form online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not file the form with the City of Marietta; you submit it through the city's channels.
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