What permits do you need to open a coffee shop in Richland County Sc?

Richland County Local Hospitality Tax — Registration and Remittance (unincorporated area, 2%)

Code §23-66, in the Richland County Code of Ordinances as published by American Legal Publishing (edition 2026 S-24, current), imposes a local hospitality tax "in an amount equal to two percent (2%) of the gross proceeds of sales of prepared meals and beverages sold in establishments located within the unincorporated areas of the county". The county's Hospitality Taxes page states that the tax applies to restaurants, bars, convenience stores, fast food outlets, grocery stores, caterers and any other business preparing or serving food or beverages, that "This includes mobile businesses selling prepared or modified foods or beverages", and that it applies whether the food or beverage is for dine-in or take-out. The tax is the consumer's liability, collected by the provider at the time of service (§23-67(a)). Under §23-67(b) it is remitted monthly when the average tax is more than $50.00 a month, quarterly at $25.00 to $50.00, and annually under $25.00; under §23-67(c) the voucher, a copy of the state sales tax computation form and the tax are due on the 20th of the month, or the next business day. The Hospitality Taxes page asks for a copy of the SC State Sales Tax Form (ST-3) with every payment, states that "Payments received after this time will incur a 5% per month late fee", and says hospitality tax balances must be paid in full before a business license is issued. The Hospitality Tax Information page adds that new businesses are enrolled to pay monthly for the first year, that schools, daycares and community care facilities owe the tax only on food and beverages sold to employees, visitors or the public or sold separately to clients, and that businesses with zero revenue still return the period's voucher. The Clearance Form lists the Hospitality Tax Certification and Enrollment Forms among the county forms a new business may need.

Retail Food Establishment Permit

Check the agency before anything else: retail food safety moved out of the health and environmental control department on 1 July 2024, and it did not go to either of the two departments that replaced it — it went to the Department of Agriculture. Any guidance naming DHEC for a restaurant permit is two years out of date. The pricing is a $100 first-year fee plus an inspection fee banded by the previous year's gross food sales, starting at $100 up to a quarter of a million and rising in fifty-dollar steps to $450 above $1.75 million; a new business estimates its band from anticipated sales. Alcohol and general merchandise are excluded from the calculation, and a convenience store counts only what it prepares or packages itself, though fountain drinks do count. Miss the thirty-day payment window and $50 is added at thirty days and another $50 at sixty; at ninety days the permit is suspended and reinstatement costs $25. There is no paper permit — the graded decal posted on the wall is the evidence, on a scale where 88 to 100 is an A, 78 to 87 a B and 77 or below a C, and below 70 triggers enforcement. School and licensed child care kitchens, healthcare facilities and charitable meal providers are exempt from the fee but must certify annually.

Certified Food Protection Manager

No state fee, because South Carolina neither examines nor certifies anyone — the certificate comes from a nationally accredited programme at that programme's price. There are two obligations here and the second is the one that shapes rotas. At least one employee with supervisory authority, the power to direct food preparation and enforce health policy, and a frequent presence at the premises must be a certified food protection manager. Separately, at all times during operation the person in charge must be either a certified food handler or a certified food protection manager — which is a staffing constraint on every shift, not a one-off qualification for the owner. The rules draw a sharp line between certification and training: a training certificate alone does not satisfy the requirement, because the accreditation must attach to the examination process. Establishments the department judges to pose minimal risk are excused. No validity period appears anywhere in South Carolina's rules, so the certificate lasts as long as the issuing programme says it does.

Shared with other businesses in Richland County Sc

• Fats, Oils and Grease Registration and Food Service Establishment Permit (Richland County sewer customers) — Richland County Utilities, A registration or permit fee is not published on Richland County Utilities' Food Service Establishments page or in the Control of Fats, Oils and Grease ordinance; contact Richland County Utilities (803-401-0050) for any amount due., registration before operation; grease interceptor design and sizing approved before building permit plans are submitted for a new facility. Also required for restaurants; what it involves is set out on the restaurants page.