Ordinance, Policy, and Regulatory
Changes
As the coronavirus pandemic takes root in the US, we are witnessing rapid changes in our way of life and how we do business. In an effort to keep us safe and in compliance, below you find some key local and state changes that have recently occurred. As business owners and operators, it is important that you are made aware of these new policies, ordinances, and regulatory changes.
LOCAL CHANGES AND UPDATES
City of Norcross Adopts Stay- At- Home Order
At Monday, March 30th's special called council meeting, the City of Norcross adopted a “Stay at Home” order effective from 11:59 p.m. on Monday, March 30, 2020 through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, April 27, 2020, unless extended. Joining similar orders issued Friday, March 27th by Gwinnett County and its 15 other cities, the “Stay at Home” order urges citizens to limit movements outside of their homes beyond essential needs.
City of Norcross Adopts Emergency Revisions to City Ordinance
On Monday, March 23rd, City Council passed a resolution to revise the City's Emergency Ordinance. What does that mean for you and your business. Click below to find out
City Calls to Close Establishments
All bars, eating establishments, restaurants, brewpubs, growler shops, gyms and fitness centers, movie theatres, live performance venues, event centers, pool or billiard halls, assembly halls, bowling alleys, arcades, massage parlors and private social clubs (with respect to food services and other indoor gatherings at such social clubs) located within the City Limits of the City of Norcross are hereby ordered closed for the duration of the State of Local Emergency. Establishments in the business of selling food for consumption may continue preparing and offering food to customers via delivery service, drive-through and take out service.
10 People Per Establishment Enacted and Enforced
Local businesses have been informed that, under City Ordinance Sec. 4-50: Establishment Closure in Cases of Emergency (Code 1979, § 9-4-23.1; Code 1998, § 6-57), any establishment in the city occupied by more than 10 people (including employees) will be shut down immediately by uniform patrol for a period of 24 hours.
Permitted Businesses May Sell Alcohol For Takeout Consumption
All eating establishments, restaurants, brewpubs, growler shops and bars licensed by the City of Norcross to sell beer and wine, hold a pouring permit from the city or that are otherwise licensed to operate as a retail consumption dealer for the sale of alcohol for onpremises consumption shall be authorized to sell sealed containers of beer, wine or liquor for takeout consumption for the duration of the state of local emergency.
Public Consumption of Alcohol in Downtown Dining District Is Repealed
Consumption of alcoholic beverages in public places is prohibited for the duration of the Emergency Ordinance. Allowances for special events and the Downtown Dining District are repealed for the duration of the state of local emergency.
The City Takes No Responsibility
Any and all persons who are licensees for the sale of alcoholic beverages pursuant to Chapter 4 of this Code of Ordinances who engages in a course of conduct permitted under this Emergency Ordinance does so at the licensee’s own peril with respect to said licensee’s state licenses for the sale of beer, wine, and liquor. The City of Norcross makes no representation as to the legality, under state law, state alcohol licenses and/or any Executive Orders of the President of the Untitled States and/or the Governor of Georgia, regarding any course of any such licensee’s conduct taken pursuant to this Emergency Ordinance.
June 30th Extension Deadline
The deadline for renewals of all business and alcohol licenses is extended until June 30, 2020.
(10) The deadline for the payment of occupational taxes, alcohol license fees, alcohol excise taxes and all other taxes, licenses or fees owed to the City is extended until June 30, 2020. Interest and penalties for late payment of such taxes, licenses and fees shall not begin to accrue until June 30, 2020. Alcohol excise taxes that accrue and are unpaid from the effective date of this Emergency Order through June 30, 2020, shall be due and payable to the City in six (6) equal installments in the months of July through December 2020. All alcohol excise taxes accruing after June 30, 2020 shall become due and payable in the normal course after July 1, 2020.
STATE CHANGES AND UPDATES
State Outlines Reopening Guidelines for Businesses
Gov. Brian Kemp issued an executive order Thursday "providing guidance for reviving a healthy Georgia in response to COVID-19."
GA Businesses to Reopen, Friday April 24th
On Monday, April 20th, Governor Brian Kemp announced that some businesses in Georgia will be allowed to reopen this Friday, April 24th.
Gov. Kemp Issues Statewide Shelter-in-Place
On Wednesday, April 1st, Governor Brian Kemp issued a statewide Shelter-In-Place designed to keep most of Georgia’s 10.6 million residents at home, takes effect at 6 p.m. Friday and continues through April 13. Click below to read what it means to you.
Gov. Kemp Orders All Nightclubs and Bars Closed
Georgia's governor is ordering bars and nightclubs around the state to close because of the coronavirus as the number of confirmed infections statewide reach 800.
State Calls for Shelter-In-Place for "At-Risk" Population
Georgia's governor issued a "shelter-in-place" order Monday (March 23) afternoon for groups "at-risk"
Gov. Kemp Declares Public Health State of Emergency
On March 14, 2020, Governor Brian P. Kemp signed a public health state of emergency to address novel coronavirus and COVID-19 in Georgia. Kemp gave a televised address to Georgians with the following remarks: