Business licenses and permits in South Carolina

What applies everywhere in South Carolina

14 requirements are set by South Carolina itself and apply whichever city you open in. Local permits sit on top of them.

Sources

Every statewide figure above was read from one of these government pages on the date shown.

1. South Carolina Code section 33-1-220 — corporation filing fees and the annual report payable to the Department of RevenueSouth Carolina General Assembly · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
2. South Carolina Department of Revenue form CL-1 — initial annual report of corporations and the $25 minimum license feeSouth Carolina Department of Revenue · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
3. South Carolina Code chapter 12-20 — the corporate license fee, its computation and its $25 minimumSouth Carolina General Assembly · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
4. South Carolina Code section 33-44-1204 — limited liability company filing fees, and a chapter containing no annual reportSouth Carolina General Assembly · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
5. South Carolina Code title 40 — the complete list of licensed professions and occupations, which contains no auto repair chapterSouth Carolina General Assembly · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
6. South Carolina Code title 56 — the complete list of motor vehicle chapters, which regulates dealers but not repair facilitiesSouth Carolina General Assembly · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
7. South Carolina Regulations chapter 10 — the fee schedules for the barber, contractor, residential builder and veterinary boardsSouth Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
8. South Carolina Code chapter 40-7 — barbershop registration, inspection before opening and mobile barbershop renewalSouth Carolina General Assembly · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
9. South Carolina Regulation 61-25 — retail food establishments, permit fees, inspection fee bands and the A to C grading scaleSouth Carolina Department of Agriculture · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
10. South Carolina Code chapter 63-13 — child care licensing, approval and registration, with the three-year term from 2024 Act 216South Carolina General Assembly · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
11. South Carolina Regulations 114-500 to 114-509 — child care licensing standards, containing no fee of any kindSouth Carolina Department of Social Services · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
12. South Carolina Department of Revenue — corporate tax, the annual report as schedule D and the license fee rateSouth Carolina Department of Revenue · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
13. South Carolina Code chapter 40-11 — contractor licensing, the $10,000 threshold from 2023 and the group bid limitsSouth Carolina General Assembly · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
14. South Carolina Code title 6 chapter 1 — the Business License Tax Standardization Act, defining a business license as one issued by a county or municipalitySouth Carolina General Assembly · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
15. South Carolina Code chapter 40-59 — residential builders and specialty contractors, their thresholds and the bar on suing without a licenseSouth Carolina General Assembly · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
16. South Carolina Department of Agriculture — annual retail food inspection fee schedule, with unambiguous band boundariesSouth Carolina Department of Agriculture · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
17. South Carolina Code section 46-57-10 — the Department of Agriculture takes over retail food regulation from 1 July 2024South Carolina General Assembly · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
18. South Carolina Department of Revenue — retail license, $50 per location and the twenty-four month dormancy ruleSouth Carolina Department of Revenue · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
19. South Carolina Code sections 12-36-510 and 12-36-550 — retail license tax and its indefinite validitySouth Carolina General Assembly · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
20. South Carolina Regulation 35-15 — salon licenses, tied to a named owner and a named location and not transferableSouth Carolina Board of Cosmetology · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
21. South Carolina Code section 40-13-250 — biennial renewal of cosmetology licensesSouth Carolina General Assembly · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
22. South Carolina Regulations chapter 120 — veterinary facility standards enforced through the veterinarian's own licenseSouth Carolina Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03

Which South Carolina city are you opening in?

• North Charleston, SCSpans Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties; the city issues its own business license, building, sign, zoning, and fire permits directly regardless of county.18 published records
• Lexington County, SCLexington County, South Carolina, seat the Town of Lexington; population 313,774 (U.S. Census Bureau 2024 estimate). The county's Zoning FAQ, answering "Where do I get a County business license?", states: "Lexington County does not require or issue business licenses. Instead, all land use activities must have a valid zoning permit. However, some municipalities do require a business license in order to operate within their city/town. Check with your City/Town Hall regarding their license requirements." The same FAQ states that "The Lexington County Zoning Ordinance only pertains to unincorporated areas of the County. Municipalities have jurisdiction within their own city/town limits." In the unincorporated county, the Community Development Department issues zoning, home occupation, sign and landscape permits, building permits, commercial plan review and certificates of occupancy, commercial land development review and floodplain permits, and the Public Works Stormwater Division issues Small Commercial Land Disturbance Permits; the fees are those of the county's schedules effective July 1, 2026. The U.S. Census Bureau's 2020 place-by-county file lists 15 incorporated places in Lexington County: Batesburg-Leesville, Cayce, Chapin, Columbia (partly in the county; mostly in Richland County), Gaston, Gilbert, Irmo (partly in the county; mostly in Richland County), Lexington, Pelion, Pine Ridge, South Congaree, Springdale, Summit, Swansea and West Columbia. Each runs its own zoning, and where it requires one its own business license, which stack on the state records, as the county's Zoning FAQ directs businesses to check with their City/Town Hall.9 published records
• Charleston, SCSpans Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties, but county government plays no role in business licensing, building permits, or fire permits here — the City of Charleston issues all of these directly. Food-service permitting is a state function (South Carolina Department of Agriculture) and is recorded at the state layer.8 published records
• Greenville County, SCGreenville County, South Carolina, seat Greenville; population 570,745 (U.S. Census Bureau 2024 estimate). For the unincorporated county, Ordinance No. 4277 (effective July 1, 2009) requires an annual County Business Registration of every business location that holds a South Carolina license, permit or registration; the county's Answer Book page states "There is NO FEE", and S.C. Code §12-37-135 provides that such a registration "is in lieu of any business license which is authorized pursuant to Section 4-9-30(12)." Zoning Administration applies the Greenville County Zoning Ordinance in the zoned parts of the unincorporated county, including the Mobile Food Unit license and home occupation review; Building Safety issues building permits, Change of Tenant – Feasibility permits and Certificates of Occupancy; the Land Development Division issues grading permits; and Floodplain Administration issues Floodplain Development Permits. The county lists six municipalities: Fountain Inn, Greenville, Greer, Mauldin, Simpsonville and Travelers Rest. Each runs its own business license, zoning and permit regime that stacks on the state records; the county Auditor's page states that "If your business is located within city limits, you must check with the city for license requirements."8 published records
• Horry County, SCHorry County, South Carolina, seat Conway; population 413,391 (U.S. Census Bureau 2024 estimate). In the unincorporated area the county levies a business license tax by rate class under Code ch. 12.5, art. IV; the Treasurer's Business License Department describes its role as processing applications, renewals and appeals "for businesses located or operating within the unincorporated areas of Horry County." The Treasurer's Hospitality Fee Department collects the hospitality fee under Code §19-6, which is 1.5% countywide and an additional 1% in the unincorporated area only. The Planning and Zoning Department issues the zoning compliance required before a business license and the Mobile Food Permit under Zoning Ordinance §913; the Code Enforcement Department issues building permits for the unincorporated area and performs fire inspections of commercial buildings there; and Code ch. 12.5, art. VII requires a Late Night Establishment Preclearance Letter for establishments in the unincorporated area that allow on-premises alcohol consumption between midnight and 6:00 a.m. The county's Hospitality Fee page states that "businesses located inside the city limits must register with their local municipality" and that "Businesses located inside the city limits will need to contact the appropriate municipality as well"; a business inside a city or town checks that municipality's own license, zoning and permit requirements, which stack on the state records.7 published records
• Richland County, SCRichland County, South Carolina, seat Columbia; population 430,651 (U.S. Census Bureau 2024 estimate). The county levies a business license tax under Code Chapter 16, which under §16-1 applies to every calling, business, occupation or profession conducted "within the unincorporated areas of the county". Applications are made in person at the Business Service Center, 2020 Hampton Street, Suite 1050, Columbia. The county's New Business License Application states: "If your business is located outside any city/town limits but within Richland County, you must also submit a Clearance Form before a business license can be issued." The Clearance Form collects sign-offs from the Zoning Division, Building Inspections, the Fire Marshal and the Sheriff's Department. Under Code §6-3 the county's building chapter applies "to the unincorporated areas of the county and those municipalities that make an agreement with the council to be regulated by the terms of this chapter." The county also imposes a 2% local hospitality tax on prepared meals and beverages sold in the unincorporated area (§23-66), and Richland County Utilities registers food service establishments on its sewer system for fats, oils and grease control. The county's Hospitality Taxes page names the municipalities in the county as Arcadia Lakes, Blythewood, Cayce, Columbia, Forest Acres, Eastover and Irmo (Richland County areas only). Under §16-1 the county business license covers the unincorporated areas of the county, so the county license and Clearance Form records here apply to a business located outside those city and town limits.7 published records
• Spartanburg County, SCSpartanburg County, South Carolina, seat Spartanburg; population 369,256 (U.S. Census Bureau 2024 estimate). On a general business license, the Planning and Development Department's FAQ (question 10, "Where do I apply for a business license?") states: "Spartanburg County does not require a business license. If this is a new business or if any work is going to be done on the property, you may be required to obtain permits. Please contact Planning and Development and Building Codes for assistance." The county collects a 2% Local Hospitality Tax on prepared meals and beverages under Ordinance O-07-20 through the Hospitality Tax Division of Budget Management. Per the county's Zoning page, land use is governed by two ordinances: the Performance Zoning Ordinance (PZO) in the Southwest Planning Area and the Unified Land Management Ordinance (ULMO) in the remainder of the county, with the PZO sign regulations (Article 7) applying to the entire unincorporated area; that page also states that "Neither ordinance assigns zoning classifications (such as residential, commercial, etc.) at the parcel level as do most traditional (or Euclidean) zoning ordinances." The Planning and Development Department issues development and zoning permits, sign permits and temporary use permits; the Building Codes Department issues building and trade permits and certificates of occupancy; Public Works Engineering approves grading permits. The county's FY2027 budget book refers to "Spartanburg County and its 13 municipalities"; each municipality sets its own requirements, which stack on the county and state records, and a business inside a municipality should contact that municipality as well.7 published records
• Columbia, SCSpans Richland and Lexington counties. The city's own business license, zoning, and building permits apply citywide regardless of county; only zoning-map questions turn on which county's district a parcel sits in.6 published records
• York County, SCYork County, South Carolina, seat the City of York; population 303,001 (U.S. Census Bureau 2024 estimate). Answering "Where do I get a business license?", the county's Treasurer & Finance FAQ states: "The County does not require a business license in the unincorporated areas of York County, therefore does not issue business licenses. If your business is located within city limits, you should contact the city to see if a city license is required." In the unincorporated area the county levies a 2% Local Hospitality Tax on prepared meals and beverages (County Code §35.131(A)), remitted to the York County Treasurer. Planning and Development Services issues zoning compliance approvals and home occupation permits under the Zoning Code (Chapter 155), and its Building and Codes Division issues building and trade permits, commercial plan review and certificates of occupancy under Chapter 150, with fees from the §31.01 land development fee schedule. York County Public Works (Water and Sewer) issues Fats, Oils and Grease discharge permits to food service establishments that discharge to the county wastewater system (§52.80). The county's About York County page states that "There are nine municipalities within York County" and names them: Clover, Fort Mill, Hickory Grove, McConnells, Rock Hill, Sharon, Smyrna, Tega Cay and York. Each sets its own requirements, including any city or town business license, which stack on the county and state records; a business inside city limits should contact that municipality, as the Treasurer & Finance FAQ directs.6 published records
• Charleston County, SCCharleston County, South Carolina, seat Charleston; population 431,001 (U.S. Census Bureau 2024 estimate). For the unincorporated county, the Revenue Collections Department collects a county business license tax under Ordinance 2185 (as amended by Ord. 2270 and Ord. 2373), set by rate class on gross income, for a license year running May 1 to April 30; under §2 of that ordinance, "County" means the unincorporated area of the county. The Zoning & Planning Department issues zoning permits under the Charleston County Zoning and Land Development Regulations Ordinance (ZLDR); its page states that the ZLDR "only applies to unincorporated properties" and lists the issuance of a business license among the activities that need a zoning permit. Building Inspection Services issues building permits and a county contractor license/registration with vehicle decals under the fees in Ord. 2386 (adopted April 28, 2026). The county's municipalities page lists 16 municipalities: Awendaw, Charleston, Folly Beach, Hollywood, Isle of Palms, James Island, Kiawah Island, Lincolnville, McClellanville, Meggett, Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, Ravenel, Rockville, Seabrook Island and Sullivan's Island. Each runs its own business license, zoning and permit regime that stacks on the county and state records; Revenue Collections states it also administers the business license ordinances of North Charleston, Folly Beach, Rockville, McClellanville, Awendaw, James Island and Lincolnville, which are municipal licenses, not the county's.4 published records

Is there a single South Carolina business license?

Who issues permits in South Carolina?

• South Carolina Department of RevenueRetail licenses · Corporate license fee and annual report4 permits
• South Carolina Department of Agriculture, Retail Food Safety and ComplianceRetail food establishment permits · Food safety inspections and grading2 permits
• South Carolina Secretary of State, Division of Business FilingsEntity formation · Business filings2 permits
• South Carolina Board of Barber Examiners, Department of Labor, Licensing and RegulationBarbershop permits · Barber licensing1 permit
• South Carolina Board of Cosmetology, Department of Labor, Licensing and RegulationSalon licensing · Cosmetologist licensing1 permit
• South Carolina Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, Department of Labor, Licensing and RegulationVeterinarian licensing · Veterinary technician licensing1 permit
• South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board, Department of Labor, Licensing and RegulationGeneral contractor licensing · Mechanical contractor licensing1 permit
• South Carolina Department of Social Services, Division of Early Care and EducationChild care centre licensing · Family child care home registration1 permit
• South Carolina Residential Builders Commission, Department of Labor, Licensing and RegulationResidential builder licensing · Residential specialty contractor licensing1 permit

By industry

• All 10 industries we cover