The Home-Based Business Disclosure is an acknowledgement that the Gwinnett County Department of Planning and Development - Business License asks the owner of a home-based business to sign. It is one of the documents in a Gwinnett County business license application for a business run from a residence, and it confirms that the owner will follow the Customary Home Occupation rules in Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) sections 210.140.9 and 212.50.2. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the county publishes the original PDF at the address linked here.
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What is Home-Based Business Disclosure – Gwinnett County, GA?
The Home-Based Business Disclosure is a one-page acknowledgement, published by the Gwinnett County Department of Planning and Development - Business License, in which the owner of a home-based business signs to confirm the requirements and restrictions that apply to a Customary Home Occupation under UDO 210.140.9 and 212.50.2.
The printed title on the PDF is "Acknowledgement." The county's business license page describes it as the signed agreement outlining the requirements and restrictions a business must follow in a residential area, and lists a copy of it among the items attached to a home-based business application.
The form lists ten rules, labeled A through J. In summary:
- Only family members who live in the residence may carry on the home occupation.
- No items may be sold on the premises unless the Board of Commissioners grants a Special Use Permit.
- Personal services are limited to two clients in the residence at a time, five clients per day, between 8 AM and 7 PM.
- No group instruction or group assembly of people on the premises.
- No exterior evidence of the business, and no visible display or storage of products, materials or machinery. Work stays inside the enclosed living area.
- No added traffic or parking, only ordinary household equipment and supplies, and no more than 25 percent of the dwelling unit in use.
- One business vehicle used exclusively by the resident is allowed: an automobile, pick-up truck, van or sport-utility vehicle.
- Any deviation requires approval as a Special Use Permit.
The disclosure is not the business license application and does not issue a license. It is a signed statement the owner attaches to that application.
Who needs to file Home-Based Business Disclosure – Gwinnett County, GA?
Owners of home-based businesses in Gwinnett County who are applying for a Business/Occupation Tax Certificate sign this disclosure. The county's list of application requirements for home-based businesses includes a copy of the signed agreement, together with a copy of the owner's Georgia driver's license or identification card and, where a state licensing board regulates the profession or occupation, a copy of that state license.
The form is signed by the owner, who writes a printed name, a signature and a date. It describes the Customary Home Occupation rules, so it fits businesses run from within a family residence that meet them: family members only, no on-site sales, limited client visits and no exterior evidence of the business.
Commercial businesses are not covered. The county lists a different set of requirements for them, built around a Certificate of Occupancy or a Tenant Name Change permit, and does not list this disclosure among them. A home-based business that cannot meet one of rules A through I needs approval as a Special Use Permit, as rule J states.
When to file Home-Based Business Disclosure – Gwinnett County, GA
Complete and sign the disclosure when you apply for a Gwinnett County business license for a home-based business, because the county lists a copy of the signed agreement among the items attached to that application. The form prints no separate due date, renewal cycle or validity period of its own.
Because the rules apply to the home occupation itself, read all of rules A through J before you sign. If your business would depart from any of them, for example by selling items on the premises, the form says the deviation requires approval as a Special Use Permit.
Documents you need
- Copy of the owner's, officer's, partner's or member's Georgia driver's license or Georgia identification card, attached to the home-based business application; the address on it must be the same as the home-based business address.
- Copy of your state professional or occupational license, only if a state licensing board regulates your profession or occupation.
- U.S. Citizen/Qualified Alien Affidavit with a front and back copy of one secure and verifiable identification document, which the county requires of any applicant for a Business/Occupation Tax Certificate.
How to fill out Home-Based Business Disclosure – Gwinnett County, GA
Read rules A through J
Read the Customary Home Occupation requirements printed under UDO 210.140.9 and 212.50.2 in full before you sign anything.
Confirm who works in the business
Rule A allows only a member or members of the family residing in the residence to carry on the home occupation. Rule B bars sales of items on the premises without a Special Use Permit.
Check client and hours limits
Under rule C, personal services are limited to two clients in the residence at a time, five per day, between 8 AM and 7 PM. Rule D prohibits group instruction or assembly.
Check space, storage and vehicle limits
Rules E through I cover no exterior evidence, no added traffic or parking, household-type equipment only, 25 percent of the dwelling unit and one business vehicle of the listed types.
Enter the printed name of owner
In the Printed Name of Owner field, type the owner's name. The county asks for the owner, officer, partner or member's information on the application it accompanies.
Sign as owner
Add the owner's signature in the Signature of Owner field. The county asks for a copy of the signed agreement.
Enter the date
Enter the date in the Date field next to the printed name.
Review, download and attach
Check that the name, signature and date are complete, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and attach a copy to your Gwinnett County business license application as described under How to submit.
How to submit Home-Based Business Disclosure – Gwinnett County, GA
The disclosure is not filed on its own: you attach a copy of the signed form to your Gwinnett County business license application. The form prints no address, portal or appointment rule of its own.
- With the application: the county's business license page lists a copy of the signed Home-Based Business Disclosure among the attachments for home-based businesses, next to a copy of the owner's Georgia driver's license or identification card and any required state professional or occupational license.
- Where to find the process: the county explains the application requirements at https://www.gwinnettcounty.com/government/departments/planning-development/services/business-license.
Sign and date the form before you attach it; the county asks for the signed agreement. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the county's channels for the business license application.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Attaching an unsigned disclosure; the county asks for a copy of the signed agreement, and the form has lines for the owner's printed name, signature and date.
- Planning to sell items from the home without a Special Use Permit granted by the Board of Commissioners; rule B bars sales on the premises.
- Having someone who does not live in the residence work in the business; rule A limits the home occupation to family members residing there.
- Seeing more than two clients at once, more than five in a day, or outside 8 AM to 7 PM when providing personal services.
- Using more than 25 percent of the dwelling unit, or working outside the enclosed living area of the home.
- Displaying or storing products, materials or machinery where they can be seen from outside the residence.
- Using a business vehicle that is not an automobile, pick-up truck, van or sport-utility vehicle, or more than one, or one not used exclusively by the resident.
- Attaching a driver's license or ID whose address differs from the home-based business address.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need this form for a Gwinnett County business license?
If your business is home-based, yes: the county's requirements for a Gwinnett County business license list a copy of the signed Home-Based Business Disclosure among the attachments. Commercial businesses have a different list that does not include it.
Can I sell products from my home under this disclosure?
Not unless a Special Use Permit is granted. Rule B says no sale of items may occur on the premises unless the Board of Commissioners grants a Special Use Permit, and rule J requires approval for any other deviation.
How many clients can I see at home in Gwinnett County?
No more than two clients in the residence at any given time and a maximum of five per day, between 8 AM and 7 PM, for personal services under rule C. Rule D also bars group instruction or group assembly of people.
Who is allowed to work in a home-based business under this form?
Only a member or members of the family residing in the residence, according to rule A. People who do not live there may not carry on the home occupation unless a Special Use Permit approves the deviation.
How much of my home can I use for the business?
No more than 25 percent of the dwelling unit, under rule H. The work must stay within the enclosed living area, including a basement if any, with no products, materials or machinery visible from outside.
Can I use a business vehicle with a home-based business?
One business vehicle used exclusively by the resident is allowed under rule I. It may only be an automobile, pick-up truck, van or sport-utility vehicle.
What do I do if my business does not meet one of the rules?
Any deviation from the requirements needs approval as a Special Use Permit, according to rule J. Sales on the premises require a Special Use Permit granted by the Board of Commissioners.
Can I fill out the Home-Based Business Disclosure online?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF does not submit it to Gwinnett County; you attach a signed copy to your business license application through the county's channels.
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