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How To Start Adult Entertainment Website In Georgia

by sandmanfvr, Window Shopper

  • Created: May 25, 2010, 1:21 pm
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9 comments

First off, let keep opinions of adult entertainment out, please.  Just business facts.

 

I know I will form my company as an LLC, but I have been calling around and one person at my local chamber of commerce said I might not need a license to operate the site from home, then the city hall says I need a home occupation license.  Is that it or do I need more?  I wan to run this business 100% compliant with local, state and federal law and being an adult entertainment business, following the law to a T is a must.  Can anybody tell me what all I need to have to get this going?  Thank you.

Tags: Discuss Popular Topics, Starting & Registering a Business
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ForeclosedHomes | Window Shopper | 6/6/2010 - 9:32 pm

a lot of good advice here, but i really think your best bet would be to book a session with a lawyers specialising in the adult entertainment industry. They will be conversant with start up legalities but will also be able to advise of contract matters and legislation surrounding online publication of your content. You want to be 100% certain your model contracts are well drafted and cover all your bases. Likewise laws relating to prooof of age and or how long you need to keep records on your models for, and what information you need to keep and what can be anonymous. This is not the kind of business where you want an ugly dispute going public.
avoiding a foreclosure is something everyone wants to do - if you're facing foreclosure get educated and you just might save your home.
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SearchitSEO | Performer | 6/4/2010 - 12:02 pm

You really do not need a license for a web based business.  

ChristineL | Former Moderator | 6/4/2010 - 10:52 am

You can plug in information about your business location and industry into the Licenses and Permit Tool and it will generate a list that you can use. In which state are you planning to start your business? You can also check with your state business agency for compliance information.

woody | Window Shopper | 5/30/2010 - 6:51 am

Make sure what you are doing is legal.  You state adult entertainment so you may be subject to additional restrictions on where you may do your business.. for example you cannot be within xxx feet of a school or church.   Just something else to keep in mind           .

sandmanfvr | Window Shopper | 5/29/2010 - 10:02 am

Thank you for the reply.  I think i have answered my question.   http://www.walkercochamber.com/efhtmlbook.htm#Business   From the book:   If your business will be located in Walker County but outside any City Limits:Business license are not required. However, you must make sure that you are operating in an appropriately zoned commercial or industrial area. See the Zoning section of this book for more of those details.To verify that your business is located within City Limits, you can call that city's City Hall.   I got paperwork from Walker County for taxes, then Home Occupation Licesne.  Then I pay to get a LLC, and I am set. I answered my question.  That Hall County is kind of crazy in that law, but each county is different.  There is NO business license for adult businesses and since I am outside a city limit, I don't need a special license.  Going LLC will protect me.

gjosephus | Contributor | 5/28/2010 - 2:03 pm

Hmmm Sandmanfvr i hope I knew what exactly is it you are doing. If you providing the service out of your house, I suppose you will need a permit, and you will also need to allow the sheriff's office to inspect the premises. If you are providing some sort of a public service, I'm sure you will need a city permit. The Hall county has some interesting info on their website. Check it out: http://www.hallcounty.org/devserv/business_license.asp and, this page is specifically for the 'Adult Entertainment' industry: http://www.hallcounty.org/files/pdfs/devserv/buslic/Chapter_520.pdf Another issue you may want to keep in mind is appropriate insurances, as you may run into situations where you can get sued. Once again, I do not know the specific nature of the business. In the same vein, you are probably better off, registering as a LLC (or ofcourse S Corp), as this protects your personal assets. If you are conducting business as a Sole Proprietor, all your personal assets are at risk. Best of luck. George
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sandmanfvr | Window Shopper | 5/25/2010 - 5:24 pm

Yes I agree, but I need to know if I need more licenses than a home business license or what not, then get my LLC.

BizResearcher | Window Shopper | 5/26/2010 - 8:09 am

Show Replied Text…
Yes I agree, but I need to know if I need more licenses than a home business license or what not, then get my LLC.
If you intend to make a profit from your site, you will need to register a business name and entity type (LLC, corporation, etc.) with your state or county agency that accepts registrations. You have already determined that you will need a home occupation permit. You may also need a business license, which can be secured from your city clerk's office. Some cities license only a few businesses; others license all businesses. If you plan to sell anything on your site, you will need to obtain a sales tax permit if your state collects sales tax. You may need to obtain an EIN from the IRS if you will have employees or open a business bank account.

sandmanfvr | Window Shopper | 5/26/2010 - 10:03 am

Show Replied Text…
If you intend to make a profit from your site, you will need to register a business name and entity type (LLC, corporation, etc.) with your state or county agency that accepts registrations. You have already determined that you will need a home occupation permit. You may also need a business license, which can be secured from your city clerk's office. Some cities license only a few businesses; others license all businesses. If you plan to sell anything on your site, you will need to obtain a sales tax permit if your state collects sales tax. You may need to obtain an EIN from the IRS if you will have employees or open a business bank account.
I am outside any city, so from what I understand (may be wrong) I don't need a city license.  I will not have employees, just me.  Models are paid each session, and sign for being 18 or older, with forms of id, hiv tests etc. to comply with the law.  What I will sale is access per month to the site, NO tangible products and I think I understand from reading if I don't sell tangible products, no sales tax, right?   I already plan to get a business checking account to put money from sales, and then a savings account to put my taxes in.  I think if I can figure out if I need something more than my home license being outside the city, then I can get LLC done and be on my way.