Opening a business in Oglethorpe County can begin with a simple idea, but turning that idea into reality often requires navigating permits, regulations and unexpected challenges.
While county officials say the process is accessible, local business owners note that success depends on understanding the legal steps many first-time entrepreneurs overlook.
In 2025, Oglethorpe County’s Tax Assessor’s office had 122 registered businesses, according to Teresa Jo Campbell, Oglethorpe County’s planning assistant and permitting coordinator. Not all businesses in the county, however, have been registered.
The basics
In Oglethorpe County, there are three business districts: the Local Business District (B1), Highway Business District (B2) and General Business District (B3). Each depends on the traffic patterns and location of the business.
According to the Oglethorpe County Unified Development Code, a comprehensive site development plan is required for any application for a building permit, zoning classification or involvement of the district. This includes details such as structure, location, parking plans and compliance with handicap and ADA requirements.
Following the comprehensive plan, the permit process begins. Unlike other counties, Oglethorpe County does not require a business license. However, businesses must register with the Oglethorpe County Tax Assessor's Office every year. It is free to register.
The decision
The final decision on the business's application is up to the Oglethorpe County Zoning Board and Board of Commissioners. Business proposals are reviewed during the monthly board meetings.
“When something needs to be rezoned for business, we take a look at that map and see what is really the best fit to rezone that to,” Campbell said.
Campbell said sometimes that process is about suggesting alternatives to the business owner.
“We'd be supportive of the business, but let's look at a different parcel,” Campbell said. “Let's see what else we can find that's in a better area or a better road that can handle that volume better.”
After an application is submitted, it typically takes 45 to 60 days for the zoning board to review it and submit the recommendation to approve or deny. These meetings do not accept public comments.
Once the Board of Commissioners receives the recommendation, it goes under review for a final decision. Unlike zoning board meetings, these sessions do allow for public comments.
“I think that we're very welcoming and need the business increase in Oglethorpe,” Campbell said. “If that can continue to grow, and we can bring more people to those things and to those businesses, then it would just encourage others to jump in and try their business ideas.”
Around the county
Starting a business means meeting the requirements, but local entrepreneurs say the real challenge goes beyond paperwork.
In Oglethorpe County, the process varies depending on the type of business. Owners Willie Torres, Claudia Reit and Izzy Marler shared their experiences navigating the legal and logistical steps required to bring their different businesses to life.
Brick-and-mortar business
For Torres, co-owner of Town and Country Kafe in Crawford, opening a physical restaurant required navigating multiple certifications and inspections.
“You have to get something called a certificate of occupancy in Oglethorpe County. You have to get another one called ServSafe Certificate of Achievement — it's for ServSafe food handlers,” Torres said. “You have to get a food service permit. You have to be inspected by the health department.”
While the requirements themselves were clear, Torres said the process was demanding and time-consuming. Much of the initial work fell on his wife, who researched the permits and coordinated with local officials.
“Difficult in the sense that they were very specific on what they wanted, and you have to follow their specific rules,” Torres said. “If they say it’s got to be 5 feet and 2 inches, it has to be 5 feet and 2 inches.”
Despite the strict guidelines, Torres said working with local officials was ultimately helpful.
“If you talk to the people, you’ll get where you want to go. You have to respect people in their position,” he said.
Opening Town and Country Kafe took about a year from purchasing the building to welcoming customers. Along the way, delays from contractors, inspections and unforeseen circumstances affected both the timeline and budget.
“So we broke our budget twice because, for whatever reason: the weather takes over, inspectors are not available,” Torres said. “It's a combination of different moving components to get the actual machine (the restaurant) working, and when one or two or three of these cogs or components are not working, it backs up everything.”
Torres said the experience taught him that future entrepreneurs should be as prepared as possible when starting a business.
“Do your research. Be very patient. Have a nest egg, which means have a fund, in case, because there's going to be ups and downs,” he said.
Wedding venue
For Reit, co-owner of Countryside Manor, the process looked different. With a background in planning and development, Reit was already familiar with zoning laws and building requirements.
Because her business operates as a wedding venue, it falls under a “place of assembly,” which comes with strict safety regulations.
“You have to have a licensed architect to provide plans. You have to get a permit. You have to have the fire marshal inspecting that,” Reit said. “You have to comply with a lot of building and fire codes.”
Even with those requirements, Reit described Oglethorpe County as less complicated than other areas.
“I think Oglethorpe, it's really easy to navigate to open a business with the local departments. It's a small community. People are really helpful,” she said.
However, she noted not all parts of the process are controlled locally. State-level requirements, such as health department approvals, can slow the process.
“As long as you don't have to deal with the health department. The health department usually takes a longer time to process reviews and permitting,” Reit said.
Reit encouraged aspiring business owners to reach out to the Oglethorpe County Chamber of Commerce for guidance during the startup process. As the chamber’s secretary, she said she is willing to answer questions and offer assistance to new entrepreneurs.
“I will always be available for them (entrepreneurs) free of charge,” Reit said.
Home-based online business
Not all businesses require a physical location. For Marler, owner of Three Dogs and a Girl Bakery, starting online offered a lower-risk entry into entrepreneurship.
“We chose to start online to minimize the risk of launching the business,” Marler said.
Even without a storefront, Marler still had to complete several legal steps, with help from her mother, an accountant.
“We had to obtain a federal EIN (employer identification number), a state business license, a state sales tax license, and a Georgia Department of Agriculture license for selling dog treats,” she said.
They also had to research and comply with Georgia’s cottage food regulations, which govern certain nonhazardous foods made and packaged in home kitchens for direct sale to consumers.
Compared to brick-and-mortar businesses, startup costs were significantly lower — about $2,500 for baking equipment. However, ongoing expenses, such as ingredients, continue to fluctuate with rising grocery prices.
Marler runs her business using online tools, including Hotplate for orders and GoDaddy for her website, while also relying on social media for marketing.
“Start small within your community, friends, family. Then grow from there. Keep all things simple,” Marler said.
The bigger picture
While the legal requirements can be detailed and sometimes overwhelming, local business owners agree that understanding the process, and using available resources, can make the path smoother.
“I think if we can just keep community support in our local businesses it would be the best thing to help them grow and show people that we want this,” Campbell said. “Maybe others will be encouraged to try theirs.”