Cleaning Service 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. South Carolina Workers' Compensation Insurance

   South Carolina requires an employer to carry workers' compensation insurance once it regularly employs four or more employees (SC Code 42-1-360). Employers with fewer than four regular employees, and sole proprietors with no employees, are generally exempt, though coverage may be elected voluntarily. Coverage is purchased from a private carrier or through approved self-insurance; the SC Workers' Compensation Commission administers the system.

   Official government source

   No state application fee — premiums are set by your insurance carrier based on payroll and classification code; the Commission does not publish premium amounts·Coverage is bound by your insurance carrier; the Commission does not publish a processing timeline

   No state application fee — premiums are set by your insurance carrier based on payroll and classification code; the Commission does not publish premium amounts

   Coverage is bound by your insurance carrier; the Commission does not publish a processing timeline

1. 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)

2. Charleston Home Occupation Application & Business License; Trade Name

   If you run a cleaning service from your home in Charleston you must submit a Home Occupation Application together with a Business License application to the city's Revenue Collections Division, under Zoning Ordinance §54-211: the occupation must be incidental and subordinate to the residential use and must not create a nuisance. South Carolina has no state DBA registry — SC Business One Stop states "The state of South Carolina does not register DBAs" — so a trade name is simply recorded on the business license application; check with Charleston County for any local requirement.

   Official government source

   Home occupation approval carries no separate published fee; the accompanying business license fee is based on gross income and NAICS rate class (SC Code 6-1-400 et seq.)·Not published by the city; the home occupation application is processed together with the business license (licenses expire April 30 annually)

   Home occupation approval carries no separate published fee; the accompanying business license fee is based on gross income and NAICS rate class (SC Code 6-1-400 et seq.)

   Not published by the city; the home occupation application is processed together with the business license (licenses expire April 30 annually)

Official Sources

• City of Charleston Revenue Collections Division
• South Carolina Department of Revenue — Retail License

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