Frequently Asked Questions

General

What is the phone number for the City of Johns Creek?
The Johns Creek Call Center can be reached at 678-512-3200. It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help in non-emergency matters. Citizens are encouraged to call this number for all city government related services, including public works.

Who do I call in an emergency situation?
For any emergency situation you should always call 911.

Who provides police and fire services in Johns Creek?
With the April 26, 2008 launch of the Johns Creek Police Department, all police services within the City of Johns Creek will no longer be provided by Fulton County Police.

The Fulton County Fire Department will continue to provide fire/EMS services to the City of Johns Creek until the October 2008 launch of the Johns Creek Fire Department.

Where is the Johns Creek City Hall located?
The City Hall will is located at 12000 Findley Road, Suite 400, just off GA-141.

Is my property in the City of Johns Creek?
Call the Johns Creek Call Center at 678-512-3200 and ask for Community Development to determine whether or not your property is located within the City.

My property is in Johns Creek, do I still pay taxes to Fulton County?
Yes, all properties in Johns Creek pay property taxes to Fulton County, the Fulton County School System and the City of Johns Creek. Property tax bills will continue to come from the Fulton County Tax Commissioner's Office. (See Property Tax Assessment for more information, below.)

What is the public school system for Johns Creek?
Johns Creek residents attend public schools within the Fulton County School system. See www.fultonschools.org for more information.

Do I use Johns Creek as my mailing address?
Johns Creek residents with zip codes of 30097, 30005, and 30022 (comprising the vast majority of the residential addresses in our city) can now use Johns Creek as the city name in their mailing address with their existing zip code. Johns Creek residents with 30024 and 30076 zip codes should not make any changes to their mailing addresses. City officials are working with the USPS on a solution to this problem as well as trying to eventually establish a post office and single zip code to serve the entire city.

What guidelines are in place for use of the City logo?
The City logo is an important element in establishing a recognizable and positive identity, and distinguishing us from other communities and organizations. Hence all uses must be done in a prescribed manner, set forth in the attached Graphic Identity Standards Manual (3.8 MB), to ensure the City is properly recognized and its reputation enhanced.

The logo and seal defined in this manual are the exclusive property of the City of Johns Creek and are protected by copyright laws of the United States. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, except as expressly permitted in writing by the City. All commercial usage of the logo must be approved by the Communications Department. Call 678-512-3274 for more information.

Property Tax Assessment

Who has responsibility for property valuation for property tax purposes?
Under Georgia State law, the Board of Tax Assessors for each County is responsible for valuing real property (which includes land, homes, commercial buildings and so forth) and personal property (which includes business inventory and equipment) located within the relevant County. Thus the Fulton County Board of Tax Assessors is responsible for valuing all real and personal property within Fulton County, even property that is located within the boundaries of a municipality.

The Board of Tax Assessors consists of five Fulton County citizens who are appointed to staggered four-year terms by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners. The Board of Tax Assessors employs professional staff to perform the duties assigned to it by State law. For more information about the Fulton County Board of Tax Assessors, you may refer to the website for the office, as shown below:

http://www.fultonassessor.org

How can I contact the Fulton County Tax Assessors Office?
The Office may be reached by phone as listed below:

Call Center: 404-224-0102
Main Office: 404-612-6440

The mailing address for the Office is listed below:

Fulton County Board of Tax Assessors
Suite 1047B
141 Pryor Street, S.W.
Atlanta, GA 30303

What is the normal process for setting property values?
The Tax Assessors Office performs an annual review and evaluation of the value of property in comparison with market changes. (State law requires that property must be valued within an acceptable range of fair market value. The State Department of Revenue reviews each county's Tax Digest to ensure conformity with State law for property valuation.) This annual evaluation is typically completed each year during the spring (March, April or May).

Why are property values updated?
Property values are reviewed annually and revised to reflect changes in value in order to maintain the County Tax Digest in compliance with State law. Counties that do not meet the State law can be fined substantial amounts.

The intent of the State law is to ensure equity in taxation among similar properties and across classes of taxable property. The way this equity is measured is to determine if values of all properties are within an acceptable proximity of fair market value for each.

What role does the City of Johns Creek have in property valuation?
None — by State law, this function is solely the function of the County Board of Tax Assessors, with oversight by the State Department of Revenue. The use of the Tax Digest prepared by the County Board of Tax Assessors for City taxation of properties within the City is mandated by State law.

How do I know if the value of my property has been changed by the Tax Assessors?
Taxpayers are sent an Assessment Notice by the Board of Tax Assessors by mail. This notice will identify the property for which it is sent and will include, but not be limited to, the following information:

• Parcel Identification Information,
• Owner,
• Prior Year Value,
• Current Year Value,
• Contact information for the Tax Assessors Office and
• Instructions for appealing the valuation of property.

Is there a process for appealing property value assessments?
Yes, State law provides that assessments may be appealed as shown below:

1. The initial appeal is made to the County Board of Tax Assessors.
2. The decision of the Board of Tax Assessors may be appealed to the County Board of Equalization or to Arbitration.
3. The final appeal may be filed with the Fulton County Superior Court.

How may I appeal the valuation of my property?
A written appeal must be mailed or delivered to the Fulton County Board of Tax Assessors within 45 days of the date of the assessment notice sent by the Board of Tax Assessors. The appeal must provide specified information, such as property identification number and location and state the grounds for the appeal. Legitimate reasons for filing an appeal include:

1. Taxability of the property,
2. Uniformity of assessment,
3. Value and
4. Denial of application for homestead exemption.

Further details regarding the submittal of an appeal are shown on the Assessment Notice that the taxpayer receives from the Board of Tax Assessors. It is very important that the taxpayer review carefully all the instructions on the Assessment Notice and follow them when submitting an appeal. The taxpayer should contact the Fulton County Board of Tax Assessors for additional information or answers to questions related to the appeal process.

Will I be able to appeal the increase in taxes that result from the increase in the assessed value of my property?
No. There is no provision for appealing taxes on the basis of the value of the property being taxed. The only means for appealing property values is the process that is outlined in the answer to the previous two questions.

Community Development

Residential

Does the city offer garbage collection?
The city of Johns Creek does not provide garbage collection services for residents. Residents must contract with private collection services for garbage pick up. A list of vendors will be posted on our web site soon.

Who do I call for animal control services? Johns Creek contracts with Fulton County Animal Services, Atlanta, GA 30318. They can be reached at 404.794.0358. Fulton County Animal Services (www.fultonanimalservices.com)is managed by Barking Hound Village Foundation, committed to saving the animals and serving the citizens of Fulton County.

Commercial

Licenses

How do I get a new or renewed alcoholic beverage license in Johns Creek?

Application forms are available here for either new or renewed Alcoholic Beverage Licenses. These applications must be submitted to the City of Johns Creek, Revenue Division, at the Johns Creek City Hall (12000 Findley Road, Suite 400, Johns Creek, GA 30097-1412) prior to the opening of the business.

Renewal license applications are due to the City by November 15th of each year. Renewal applications received between November 15 and December 15 are subject to a 10% late filing fee. Businesses failing to renew their license by December 15th must reapply for a brand new license (at full fee).

Contact the Revenue Division at 678-512-3200 for additional information.

How do I get a business license in Johns Creek?

The occupation tax must be paid by no later than March 31 of each year in order to continue doing business in the City of Johns Creek and to avoid assessment of penalties and interest.

Applications must be completed and submitted, along with a copy of your 2006 Fulton County Occupation Tax Certificate and a check or money order for the total fees and taxes due from the calculation worksheet to the Revenue Division at Johns Creek City Hall, 12000 Findley Road, Suite 400, Johns Creek, GA 30097-1412.