← All 24 categories
Georgia · Direct-to-Consumer Compliance · Category 21 of 24

Plants & Flowers

Small-scale plant sales vs. licensed Live Plant Dealer/Grower operations in Georgia

Dual-Path — Read Carefully
Farm Exempt under 1,000 sq ft
Small grower
Live Plant License required
Larger/interstate
Fee varies by category
Cost
Annual, Jan 1 - Dec 31
Cycle

What's Covered / What Needs More

✓ Generally Covered

  • Growing and selling plants direct to consumer from a production area of 1,000 square feet or less, with no interstate shipping or resale of out-of-state stock
  • Selling cut flowers, potted plants, and seedlings at farmers markets, farm stands, and online within Georgia
  • Getting a GDA Live Plant License once you exceed 1,000 sq ft of production, ship out of state, or bring in plants from out of state for resale
  • Passing random GDA inspections for pest/disease issues once licensed as a grower or dealer

✕ Needs More / Watch Out

  • Operating a production space over 1,000 sq ft without a Live Plant License
  • Shipping plants out of state or internationally without a Live Plant License and export certificate
  • Buying plants from out of state to resell without a Live Plant Dealer License
  • Letting a license lapse past February 2 without expecting a $50 late renewal fee

Three Steps to Compliance

A

Check your production footprint

If your growing space is 1,000 square feet or less, and you're not shipping out of state or reselling out-of-state stock, you likely qualify for the small-grower exemption with no Live Plant License.

B

License if you cross any threshold

Exceeding 1,000 sq ft, shipping out of state/internationally, or bringing in out-of-state plants for resale each independently trigger the GDA Live Plant License requirement (grower or dealer category as applicable).

C

Renew annually and prepare for inspection

Live Plant Licenses run January 1–December 31 with fees by category; licensed operations are subject to random GDA pest/disease inspections, and late renewal after February 2 adds a $50 fee.

Quick Reference

Small grower exemptionProduction area ≤1,000 sq ft, no interstate shipping/resale
Live Plant License trigger>1,000 sq ft, OR ships out of state/internationally, OR resells out-of-state stock
License categoriesLive Plant Dealer (garden centers, florists, landscapers) and Live Plant Grower (nurseries, sod, native plant collectors)
License cycleAnnual, January 1 – December 31
Late renewal$50 late fee after February 2
Out-of-state shippingRequires an export certificate in addition to licensing

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license to sell plants from my small home nursery?
Not if your production area is 1,000 sq ft or less and you're not shipping out of state or reselling out-of-state plants — you fall under the small-grower exemption.
What if I want to sell at an out-of-state market?
You'll need a GDA Live Plant License and likely an export certificate before shipping plants out of state.
I buy wholesale plants from another state to resell at my stand — do I need a license?
Yes — bringing in out-of-state plants for resale triggers the Live Plant Dealer License requirement regardless of your own growing footprint.
How much does a Live Plant License cost?
Fees vary by dealer/grower category — check GDA's current Live Plant License Categories and Fees schedule before applying.

Printable Checklist

MarketStand · Georgia Producer Compliance Series
This guide is general information, not legal advice, current as of September 2026. Georgia's cottage food, meat inspection, dairy, egg, plant, feed, and alcohol rules change — always verify current requirements with the Georgia Department of Agriculture (agr.georgia.gov), Georgia Dept. of Revenue Alcohol & Tobacco Division, and your local health department before selling.
Primary sources: Georgia Dept. of Agriculture (Cottage Food, Meat Inspection, Egg Law, Live Plant Program, Feed/Pet Food Program); HB 398 (2025); Georgia Raw Dairy Act, O.C.G.A. §26-2-450 et seq.; Georgia Meat Inspection Act, O.C.G.A. §26-2-60; Georgia Food Act, O.C.G.A. §26-2-20; GA Dept. of Revenue Alcohol & Tobacco Division; FDA (DSHEA, MoCRA, FSMA Produce Safety Rule, 21 CFR 108/111/113/114).