Catering Business Permit Requirements in Charleston, SC

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. South Carolina Department of Revenue — Retail License

   Every person who engages in business in South Carolina as a retailer must obtain a Retail License from the SC Department of Revenue before making any retail sales subject to sales and use tax, including internet sales and infrequent sales. A separate licence is required for each retail outlet. The licence does not have to be renewed while the same taxpayer keeps operating at the same location, but a new application is required after a change of ownership or after 24 months with no sales.

   Official government source

   $50 per location, non-refundable, and it is a one-time fee rather than an annual charge (S.C. Code Section 12-36-510(A)(1)). The statewide sales and use tax rate is 6%; SCDOR states counties may impose an additional 1% local sales tax where voters approve it, and the applicable local rates are published in forms ST-500 and ST-575.·Not published by SCDOR. Applying through MyDORWAY is the fastest route — confirm current issuance time when you apply.

   $50 per location, non-refundable, and it is a one-time fee rather than an annual charge (S.C. Code Section 12-36-510(A)(1)). The statewide sales and use tax rate is 6%; SCDOR states counties may impose an additional 1% local sales tax where voters approve it, and the applicable local rates are published in forms ST-500 and ST-575.

   Not published by SCDOR. Applying through MyDORWAY is the fastest route — confirm current issuance time when you apply.

2. Certified Food Protection Manager — SC Regulation 61-25 (SC Department of Agriculture)

   South Carolina Regulation 61-25, Retail Food Establishments, administered by the SC Department of Agriculture's Retail Food Safety Department, requires at least one employee with supervisory and management responsibility at each retail food establishment to be a certified food protection manager who has passed a test that is part of an accredited program (section 2-102.12). At all times during operation the person in charge must be a certified food handler or certified food protection manager. The requirement does not apply to establishments the department deems minimal risk based on the nature of the operation.

   Official government source

   No state fee. The exam and any course are sold by the accredited certification provider (for example a Conference for Food Protection recognized program), which sets its own price.·Set by the accredited exam provider — schedule the proctored exam directly with them.

   No state fee. The exam and any course are sold by the accredited certification provider (for example a Conference for Food Protection recognized program), which sets its own price.

   Set by the accredited exam provider — schedule the proctored exam directly with them.

1. South Carolina Retail Food Establishment Permit (catering)

   A catering business operating in Charleston must obtain a Retail Food Establishment permit from the SC Department of Agriculture's Retail Food Safety Department, which permits and inspects catering operations, restaurants, grocery stores and mobile food establishments statewide under Regulation 61-25 — neither the City of Charleston nor Charleston County runs a health department that issues this permit. The permit is issued before the facility opens, the commercial kitchen or commissary is inspected, and at least one supervisory employee must be a certified food protection manager. A City of Charleston business license is required separately.

   Official government source

   SCDA's annual inspection fee is set by the previous calendar year's gross food and food-product sales: $100 up to $250,000; $150 to $500,000; $200 to $750,000; $250 to $1,000,000; $300 to $1,250,000; $350 to $1,500,000; $400 to $1,750,000; $450 above that.·Not published. The permit follows SCDA's pre-opening inspection, so apply well ahead of your planned opening ([email protected], 803-896-0640).

   SCDA's annual inspection fee is set by the previous calendar year's gross food and food-product sales: $100 up to $250,000; $150 to $500,000; $200 to $750,000; $250 to $1,000,000; $300 to $1,250,000; $350 to $1,500,000; $400 to $1,750,000; $450 above that.

   Not published. The permit follows SCDA's pre-opening inspection, so apply well ahead of your planned opening ([email protected], 803-896-0640).

2. City of Charleston Revenue Collections Division — Business License

   Charleston requires an annual Business License for any business operating or generating income within city limits. It is issued by the Revenue Collections Division, must be renewed annually, and must be displayed at your place of business. Annual fees are based on the business's gross income and the rate class assigned to its NAICS code.

   Official government source

   Based on gross income and the NAICS rate class, per the SC Business License Tax Standardization Act (SC Code 6-1-400 et seq.) — no flat fee; use the city's business license calculator·Licenses expire April 30 annually; the city publishes no standard processing time (fire inspection scheduling alone can take up to 3 business days)

   Based on gross income and the NAICS rate class, per the SC Business License Tax Standardization Act (SC Code 6-1-400 et seq.) — no flat fee; use the city's business license calculator

   Licenses expire April 30 annually; the city publishes no standard processing time (fire inspection scheduling alone can take up to 3 business days)

Official Sources

• Charleston County Health Department
• South Carolina Department of Revenue — Retail License

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