Inspections - Businesses
Annual Inspections and Business License Inspections
Business Licenses and Annual Inspections are required for all businesses operating within the unincorporated areas of Cherokee County and in the cities of Ball Ground, Waleska, Nelson, and Mountain Park. Business License Inspections are required to be performed by inspectors from the Fire Marshal's Office as well as from the Building Department and Environmental Health Department (if applicable).
Annual Inspections: The Fire Marshal’s office performs annual inspections for the safety of your customers, employees, and first responders, to verify that buildings in Cherokee County continue to be in compliance with fire and life safety code requirements.
Business License Inspections are initiated through the following link Development Services Center, which will determine your next steps on the business license process. You may also contact the Cherokee County Development Services Center located at 1130 Bluffs Parkway Canton, GA. 30114, contact number 770-721-7810.
The following is an example of items that the Fire Inspector will look for during our Annual and Business License Inspections. This is not an all-inclusive list:
- The exterior of the building/suite
- Address/Suite numbers are clearly visible from the street
- Correct keys in Knox Box
- Fire Department Access- No parking lanes and signage maintained
- Fire Hydrants- accessible, visible, and operational
- Fire Department Connection- accessible and visible with proper signage
- Outside utilities (gas/electric meter) are labeled in multi-tenant buildings
- Interior of building/suite
- Exit Signs are functional, clear, and unobstructed
- Emergency Lights- functioning properly
- Fire Extinguisher-Current annual inspection yellow tag on appropriate fire extinguishers
- Fire Sprinkler System- Current annual inspection green tag on sprinkler riser
- Fire Alarm is functional with an annual test report available
- Kitchen Hood - cleaned, maintained, and operational
- Kitchen Hood Suppression System- Current bi-annual inspection blue tag on kitchen hood suppression system
- Exits and Exit Access is clear and accessible
- Exit Doors are functional and have the correct hardware
- Doors Signage: on the following rooms- Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP), fire sprinkler/riser, electrical/mechanical
- Electrical/Mechanical/Sprinkler Riser rooms- clear of combustible storage
- Electrical Panel- all circuits labeled, no openings in the panel
- Electrical switches, outlets, and junction boxes with proper cover plates installed
- Extension cords are not used for permanent wiring, for temporary use only, and not used on a permanent basis for a permanent power source
- Power strips are for electronics only and cannot be linked together
- Proper storage of flammable or combustible liquids
- General Housekeeping- aisle widths maintained
- Any other obvious potential fire hazards for occupants or firefighters
