Daycare / Child Care Center 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 Child Care Background Check Requirement

   Staff and caregivers in South Carolina child care facilities (including household members of family child care homes) must clear state and federal fingerprint-based criminal background checks, a SC Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, and national and state sex offender registry checks, administered through SC DSS Division of Early Care and Education.

   Official government source

   Fee amounts are not published on the SC DSS or SC Child Care licensing pages; fingerprinting vendor charges apply — confirm current amounts with SC DSS·Not published on the official licensing pages; confirm current processing time with SC DSS Division of Early Care and Education

   Fee amounts are not published on the SC DSS or SC Child Care licensing pages; fingerprinting vendor charges apply — confirm current amounts with SC DSS

   Not published on the official licensing pages; confirm current processing time with SC DSS Division of Early Care and Education

1. SC DSS Division of Early Care and Education — Child Care Center License

   Child care centers in South Carolina must be licensed by the SC DSS Division of Early Care and Education, which regulates roughly 2,400 providers through four regional offices. Licensure requires state and federal fingerprint background checks, SC Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry and sex offender registry checks, submission of architectural plans, zoning approval, fire and health safety inspections, and director/staff training. Facilities then receive a yearly unannounced inspection.

   Official government source

   No licensing fee is published on the SC DSS or SC Child Care licensing pages — confirm with the Division of Early Care and Education whether a fee applies·Not published on the official licensing pages; the process runs through orientation, plan submission, zoning approval, document submission, inspections, then a provisional and finally a regular license — confirm current timing with SC DSS

   No licensing fee is published on the SC DSS or SC Child Care licensing pages — confirm with the Division of Early Care and Education whether a fee applies

   Not published on the official licensing pages; the process runs through orientation, plan submission, zoning approval, document submission, inspections, then a provisional and finally a regular license — confirm current timing with SC DSS

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)

3. Charleston Building and Fire Safety Inspection

   Child care centers inside Charleston city limits must pass building and fire safety inspections covering means of egress, accessibility, fire suppression, and child-safety standards. These are conducted by the City of Charleston's Building Inspections Division and the Fire Marshal's Office as part of the Certificate of Occupancy process, not by Charleston County (which covers unincorporated areas). SC DSS separately requires architectural plans to be submitted to the State Chief Fire Marshal.

   Official government source

   Inspection and permit fees follow the city's Building and Trade Permit Fee Schedule; no flat inspection fee is published·Inspection requests submitted before noon are scheduled for the next business day (after noon, two business days out); the CO review itself targets 2 business days for initial response and 10 business days for review

   Inspection and permit fees follow the city's Building and Trade Permit Fee Schedule; no flat inspection fee is published

   Inspection requests submitted before noon are scheduled for the next business day (after noon, two business days out); the CO review itself targets 2 business days for initial response and 10 business days for review

Official Sources

• South Carolina Department of Social Services — Child Care Center License
• City of Charleston Revenue Collections Division

Related Guides