Macon-Bibb County calls its business license an occupation tax certificate, issued through the Macon-Bibb County Tax Commissioner after the Planning and Zoning Commission issues a certificate of zoning compliance, according to the county's website. Ravenside Lending, a small-business funding broker in Macon, GA, explains the steps because lending partners may ask for proof of local registration.
Business license or occupation tax certificate?
They are the same document. Macon-Bibb County's Business License Process page uses the phrase "Occupation Tax Certificate (business license)," and says any person or entity engaged in a business, trade, profession or occupation in Macon-Bibb County must obtain one unless exempted by law (maconbibb.us, checked 2026-10-16). Whether an exemption applies to a particular business is a question for the county or your attorney.
Step 1: Certificate of zoning compliance
According to the county, both a business license and a building permit require a valid certificate of zoning compliance. The application goes to the Macon-Bibb County Planning and Zoning Commission, is forwarded to other departments for review, and once all of them approve, Planning and Zoning issues the zoning compliance letter. Applications are submitted through the county's license processing software, Camino.
The county lists Planning and Zoning's contact details as mbpz.org, (478) 241-2554, at the Macon Mall, 3661 Eisenhower Parkway, Suite MB104. Its FAQ says a zoning compliance is required for every new business and all construction in Macon-Bibb, and that a conditional use needs a public hearing before the commission while a permitted use does not.
Step 2: Building permit, if there is construction
If the space needs work, the same county page says construction exceeding $2,500 requires a building permit, issued by the Macon-Bibb County Building and Fire Safety Department, (478) 803-0466, 3661 Eisenhower Pkwy, Suite MB105. A build-out financed with working capital or a term loan should have its permits in hand, or at least applied for, before the money is spent.
Step 3: The occupation tax certificate from the Tax Commissioner
Macon-Bibb County directs applicants to the Macon-Bibb County Tax Commissioner, 188 Third Street, (478) 621-6500, for online and paper applications. The Tax Commissioner's alcohol and business licensing page explains that the Tax Commissioner's Office took over business licensing from Business Development Services, becoming responsible for alcohol, business and privilege licensing from January 1, 2021 (maconbibbtax.us, checked 2026-10-16).
Renewals and checking a certificate
The Tax Commissioner's page describes an electronic application for renewals, in which license holders enter their data once and update it in later renewal cycles. The same page offers a link to verify an occupation tax certificate (business license), which is a quick way to confirm your own certificate shows the correct business name and address before a lender looks it up.
Renewal timing is set by the county. Check the Tax Commissioner's page or call the office for the current cycle.
Alcohol licenses are a separate process
Restaurants and bars that serve or sell alcohol go through an additional process. The Tax Commissioner's page says initial applications for consumption on premises, package and special event alcohol licenses must begin through the state's Georgia Tax Center before the local application. Restaurant owners should allow for this when planning an opening; the Macon, GA page links to the restaurant industry page.
What lending partners may ask to see
- The occupation tax certificate, showing the business name and location.
- For a new location or build-out, the zoning compliance letter and any building permit.
- State entity records showing the business is active.
- A lease or deed for the business location.
Partners differ in what they require, and many do not ask for local licensing at all for smaller requests. Having it ready avoids delays. How it works explains where documents come into the process.
A short pre-application checklist
- Confirm the zoning compliance letter matches the address you actually operate from.
- Use the Tax Commissioner's verification link to check that your certificate shows the right legal name.
- Keep a PDF of the current certificate with your bank statements and tax returns, so it goes out with the rest of the file.
- If you moved, expanded or changed what the business does, ask the county whether the certificate needs updating before a lender sees it.
Small mismatches, such as a trade name on the certificate and a legal name on the bank account, are a common reason a partner asks follow-up questions.
Businesses outside Macon-Bibb County, GA
A business located in Warner Robins, Byron, Centerville, Gray, Forsyth, Fort Valley or another nearby town is licensed by its own city or county, not by Macon-Bibb County. Those towns are listed with their own Census figures in the Middle Georgia areas section.
By Ravenside Lending · Updated