Beaufort County Community Development - Zoning

Zoning Permit and Zoning Review for Business License (unincorporated Beaufort County)

The county's Zoning Permit Procedures state: "A Zoning Permit is required before issuance of a Building Permit or a Business License", and that approval "shall automatically expire if the development activity it authorizes is not commenced within twelve months after the date of approval". The fees are from the Beaufort County Planning & Zoning Department Fee Schedule (Revised January 9, 2023), linked as the Fee Schedule on the county's Zoning page: Zoning Review for Business License $25.00; Home Business/Daycare Letter $25.00; Signs $50.00 per sign; Temporary Use Permit $100.00; All Other Zoning Permits $50.00; and Site Plan Review (with building being primary use) $500.00 plus $0.06 per gross square foot of building. The Clearance Form in the county's New Business Package is required "for all businesses physically located within the unincorporated" area, must be completed for each business activity, and states that "A $25.00 Zoning fee is required when returning each Clearance Form (with any other applicable payments)" and that "All approvals must be obtained and requirements met before a business license will be issued." The form is signed by Zoning (843-255-2170, wzoning@bcgov.net), HazMat, the Fire Marshal and Building Inspections, and is completed again for a new business, a change in physical location, a change in or addition of business activity, or a change of use. A home-based business or a home daycare uses the $25.00 Home Business/Daycare Letter listed in the schedule.