Event Planning Permit Requirements in Charleston, SC

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if operating as a business entity (LLC or corporation) or if you have employees. Free from the IRS. You will need an EIN to open a business bank account and sign vendor contracts professionally.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. South Carolina Business Registration (Secretary of State)

   Event planning businesses formed as an LLC, corporation, or limited partnership must register with the South Carolina Secretary of State; sole proprietorships and general partnerships do not file with the Secretary of State's Office. South Carolina has no state-level DBA registry — SC Business One Stop states "The state of South Carolina does not register DBAs" and directs trade-name users to record the name on their local business license and check with their county for any local requirement. Forming an LLC provides personal liability protection, which matters when coordinating large events.

   Official government source

   SC Secretary of State entity filing fees vary by entity type and are not published on the office's fetchable pages — confirm the current amount at businessfilings.sc.gov; sole proprietors and general partnerships pay nothing because they do not file·The Secretary of State does not publish a standard turnaround for online entity filings — confirm at businessfilings.sc.gov

   SC Secretary of State entity filing fees vary by entity type and are not published on the office's fetchable pages — confirm the current amount at businessfilings.sc.gov; sole proprietors and general partnerships pay nothing because they do not file

   The Secretary of State does not publish a standard turnaround for online entity filings — confirm at businessfilings.sc.gov

2. South Carolina Retail License / Sales Tax Permit (if applicable)

   Event planning and coordination services are not among the services South Carolina taxes — S.C. Code Section 12-36-910(B) enumerates the taxable services (laundering, dry cleaning, dyeing and pressing; electricity; communications; prepaid wireless) and event planning is not one of them. If your business also sells tangible personal property such as decorations, favours, floral arrangements or rental goods, those retail sales are taxable and require a Retail License from the SC Department of Revenue.

   Official government source

   $50 one-time retail licence tax per permanent business location if a Retail License is required (S.C. Code Section 12-36-510(A)(1)); registering a business tax account on MyDORWAY is free. The state sales and use tax rate is 6%, plus a 1% local sales tax in counties that have approved one.·Not published by SCDOR. Apply through MyDORWAY for the fastest route and confirm current issuance time when you apply.

   $50 one-time retail licence tax per permanent business location if a Retail License is required (S.C. Code Section 12-36-510(A)(1)); registering a business tax account on MyDORWAY is free. The state sales and use tax rate is 6%, plus a 1% local sales tax in counties that have approved one.

   Not published by SCDOR. Apply through MyDORWAY for the fastest route and confirm current issuance time when you apply.

1. City of Charleston Business License

   Event planning businesses operating in Charleston must obtain a general Business License from the city's Revenue Collections Division. The application asks for business entity information, the primary business address and a description of services. If you work mainly from home coordinating events elsewhere, a home occupation application may also be required. Renewed annually.

   Official government source

   Set by the city's Business License Ordinance: the annual fee is calculated from the business's gross income (projected gross for a new business) and the NAICS-based rate class, so there is no flat amount. Licenses expire April 30 each year.·Apply through the Permit Center's Customer Self Service portal; the city's stated goal is to respond to a new application within 2 business days, with a 10-business-day review turnaround.

   Set by the city's Business License Ordinance: the annual fee is calculated from the business's gross income (projected gross for a new business) and the NAICS-based rate class, so there is no flat amount. Licenses expire April 30 each year.

   Apply through the Permit Center's Customer Self Service portal; the city's stated goal is to respond to a new application within 2 business days, with a 10-business-day review turnaround.

2. Charleston Special Event Permit (for events in public spaces)

   When coordinating events that use Charleston public parks, streets, plazas, or other public venues, a Special Event Permit is required from the city's Special Events Committee. As the event planner, you may be responsible for obtaining this permit on behalf of your client. Requirements include event details, expected attendance, a site plan, emergency action plan, and proof of General Liability Insurance (COI). Applications must be submitted 60 days before small events (under 500 people), 90 days for medium events (501-1,000), and 120 days for large events (over 1,000).

   Official government source

   Non-refundable permit fee based on event scope (see Special Event Fee Schedule)·Applications due 60-120 days in advance depending on event size; review by the Special Events Committee, which meets twice monthly

   Non-refundable permit fee based on event scope (see Special Event Fee Schedule)

   Applications due 60-120 days in advance depending on event size; review by the Special Events Committee, which meets twice monthly

3. Charleston County Temporary Special Event Permit (if applicable)

   Events on unincorporated Charleston County land, or large outdoor events on private property in the county, may require a Temporary Special Event permit from Charleston County Zoning & Planning under Article 6.7 of the county's Zoning and Land Development Regulations Ordinance. The county asks organizers to contact Planning first to determine whether a permit is required, then submit the Temporary Special Events Application Packet. This is separate from any City of Charleston permit.

   Official government source

   No fee is published on the county's Zoning & Planning page. Ask Charleston County Planning (843-202-7200, [email protected]) for the current fee when you confirm whether a permit is required.·Not published. The county notes its Special Event Application Packet is being updated, so contact Planning well before the event date to confirm the current process.

   No fee is published on the county's Zoning & Planning page. Ask Charleston County Planning (843-202-7200, [email protected]) for the current fee when you confirm whether a permit is required.

   Not published. The county notes its Special Event Application Packet is being updated, so contact Planning well before the event date to confirm the current process.

Official Sources

• Charleston Business Licensing
• South Carolina Secretary of State — Business Registration
• IRS EIN Application

Related Guides