Alcohol License

Alcohol Licensing

Pouring Permits:
All applicants must obtain a Background Check from the Dawson County Sheriff's Office.  The cost is $15 (cash only) prior to applying for the employee alcohol serving/pouring permit.  Background check are available Tuesday's from 9:00 am - 12:00 p.m. and Thursday's from 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.   Background check must be issued 24 hours of applying for the permit.   Click here for the pouring permit application. 

Dawson County Sheriff's Office address: 19 Tucker Ave, Dawsonville, GA 30534

 How to apply for an Alcohol License:

• All businesses must first obtain an Occupational Tax Certificate (Business License) from the City of Dawsonville.
• Applicant must complete the Alcohol application on the Portal or License Application and submit, completed and notarized, with an application payment.
• If you need a retail license or special event permit, please use the  Alcohol Licensing Portal.
• If you are a Manufacturer or Wholesaler, please fill out the application.
• The Business will undergo verification of Occupational Tax (business license) as well as status of any fees or taxes due to the City of Dawsonville.
• Applicants must meet business type, citizenship, zoning, location, distance requirements, fingerprint, and criminal background investigation, and other requests as required by the Planning and Zoning Office to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Dawsonville Alcoholic Beverage Ordinance. Alcohol Pouring Permits are required on all employees who serve, sell or handle alcohol.
• The normal processing time, with advertising, may take up to 90 days.

​​​​​​​Please submit your completed application and all required supplemental materials Monday - Friday to City Hall at 415 Hwy. 53 East Suite 100 from 9:00 am - 3:30 pm. If you have any questions, please call (706) 203-4923.

Businesses are required to purchase alcohol from a wholesale distributor.

​​A City of Dawsonville Alcohol Beverage License is issued in accordance with regulations and requirements outlined in the Dawsonville Code of Ordinances.

Businesses licensed to sell liquor by the drink on their premises (Restaurants) shall pay excise tax per liter and must file a monthly return with the City of Dawsonville for collection/reporting of excise taxes. See Excise Tax Form.

Businesses must also obtain (and maintain) a valid Georgia Alcohol License from the Alcohol and Tobacco Division of the Georgia Department of Revenue (404) 417-4900 State of Georgia Alcoholic Beverage License Information.

Renewing your Alcohol license

All Dawsonville Alcoholic Beverage Licenses expire December 31st of each year. Renewal packages will be sent to all current licensees by November 1 of each year.  Renewal application must be submitted before November 20 to the Planning and Zoning Department. 

Please contact the Georgia Department of Revenue (404) 417-4900 or visit them at Georgia Department of Revenue Alcohol Renewal to renew your Georgia Alcohol License.

Please Note: Renewals Received after November 20th but before December 31st are subject to a Late Filing Fee. Businesses failing to renew their alcohol license by December 31st must reapply for a new license.

All employees of each establishment/business with consumption on-premises must have CURRENT employee pouring permits on file with the City of Dawsonville before a renewal license will be issued.

To report underage alcohol violations (24-hours a day), please call the Dawson County Marshal’s Department (706) 344-3232 or GA Department of Revenue (877) CHECK-ID.