Handyman License Requirements in Savannah, GA
Apply to City of Savannah Revenue Department (305 Fahm St, 912-651-6450) at https://www.savannahga.gov/1587/Business-License after a Business Location Approval from Development Services. Chatham County Business Tax Certificate applies only to businesses located in unincorporated Chatham County (Chatham County Building Safety & Regulatory Services, Licensing Division).
Savannah requirements
Apply to City of Savannah Revenue Department (305 Fahm St, 912-651-6450) at https://www.savannahga.gov/1587/Business-License after a Business Location Approval from Development Services. Chatham County Business Tax Certificate applies only to businesses located in unincorporated Chatham County (Chatham County Building Safety & Regulatory Services, Licensing Division).
Source link: savannahga.gov · savannahga.gov · cccdn.blob.core.windows.net · checked November 6, 2026
Local business license
Required
- Name: Business Tax Certificate (business license), Revenue Ordinance Article Y
- Office: City of Savannah Revenue Department, 305 Fahm Street, Savannah GA 31401; 912-651-6450
"All businesses operating within the City of Savannah must have a current Business Tax Certificate (also known as a business license)... Prior to applying for your Business Tax Certificate, all businesses must submit a Business Location Approval Application to Development Services"
Source: savannahga.gov · checked November 6, 2026
Local contractor or handyman license
Our check could not confirm this from an official page, so we don't state it. Ask the city or county office.
County: Chatham County
The Georgia rule
Regulator: State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors (Residential Contractor Division and General Contractor Division), Georgia Secretary of State, Professional Licensing Boards Division. Trades: State Construction Industry Licensing Board (O.C.G.A.
License required where 'the total value of the work or activity or of the compensation to be received by the contractor for such activity or work, whichever is the higher, exceeds $2,500.00' (O.C.G.A. 43-41-2(9)). So $2,500.00 exactly is NOT over the line; $2,500.01+ requires a license. Separate 'repair' exception (O.C.G.A. 43-41-17(g); Board Rule 553-8-.01) with no dollar cap: written disclosure to owner of unlicensed status; no subcontracting/delegation of supervision (employees OK); no life-safety or structural work (no load-bearing walls/beams); must obtain local permits and inspections; does not cover Chapter 14 trade work.
What counts toward it: other: the higher of total value of the work/activity OR the contractor's compensation (effectively labor+materials value)
"where the total value of the work or activity or of the compensation to be received by the contractor for such activity or work, whichever is the higher, exceeds $2,500.00."
Source: sos.ga.gov · rules.sos.ga.gov · checked November 2, 2026
State registration
No state handyman registration.
Source: sos.ga.gov · rules.sos.ga.gov · checked November 2, 2026
Forming an LLC in Georgia
State filing fee: $100.
Source: sos.ga.gov · sos.ga.gov · checked November 2, 2026
What to do, in order
- Read the Georgia rule and confirm with State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors (Residential Contractor Division and General Contractor Division), Georgia Secretary of State, Professional Licensing Boards Division. Trades: State Construction Industry Licensing Board (O.C.G.A..
- Line up the Savannah items listed on this page.
- Get your insurance and rate in place before the first paid job.
Nearby places
Rules change. This page shows what official sources said on the dates above. It is not legal advice.
Get your Savannah handyman package
Your city reports, my first-steps checklist, tools, software and a sample client package, in one email. Free.