To check the zoning and use for a property located in unincorporated Forsyth County please visit Property Information. Additional permits or review may be required before the business license may be issued.

The department issues business licenses, alcohol licenses, special alcohol event permits, employee alcohol permits, pawnbroker and pawnshop licenses, non-traditional tobacco and vape e-cigarette licenses, door to door solicitor permits and short term rental licenses.

We recommend that you check the property zoning and that the use is permissible at the intended location.  Please use property information tools to search the new address. A location change application will be required, an administrative fee will apply.

If the use needs to be reviewed by additional departments, if additional permits are required, or if there is a change of use (i.e., retail to dance studio, dojo, medical office, assembly use, etc.) additional building plans / permits may be required.

Please visit our CSS portal to look up a business in Forsyth County.

You may check zoning of any property by using the GIS Viewer.  Please click here for property information tools.

A residential business is a business that is operated from your home, an applicant must adhere to the rules of the professional home office (rules located in Occupational Tax Ordinance or Unified Development Code). A commercial business is a business that is operated in at a commercially zoned address in unincorporated Forsyth County.

The Code Compliance Department handles complaints regarding businesses located in unincorporated Forsyth County, 678-513-5893.