Food Truck 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. City of Charleston Mobile Food Vendor (MFV) Permit

   Mobile food vendors — food trucks, carts and trailers — operating in Charleston need three things from the city: a Business License, a Mobile Food Vendor Operational Permit, and a completed Mobile Food Vendor Fire Self Survey. The Fire Marshal's Office oversees the MFV program and maintains the approved vendor list, and applications are submitted through the city's Customer Self Service portal. The city also directs vendors to contact the SC Department of Agriculture to comply with state mobile food vendor requirements, which is where the food-safety permit itself comes from.

   Official government source

   No MFV permit fee is published on the city's Mobile Food Vendors page. The business license fee is based on gross income and the NAICS rate class, and SCDA charges a separate annual inspection fee from $100 to $450 depending on gross food sales.·Not published for the MFV permit. Business license and Permit Center applications carry a stated goal of a response within 2 business days and a 10-business-day review turnaround.

   No MFV permit fee is published on the city's Mobile Food Vendors page. The business license fee is based on gross income and the NAICS rate class, and SCDA charges a separate annual inspection fee from $100 to $450 depending on gross food sales.

   Not published for the MFV permit. Business license and Permit Center applications carry a stated goal of a response within 2 business days and a 10-business-day review turnaround.

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. Commissary Agreement (mobile food unit)

   A mobile food establishment in South Carolina is permitted together with its associated commissary — a licensed commercial kitchen used for food preparation, storage and cleaning — by the SC Department of Agriculture's Retail Food Safety Department under Regulation 61-25. The commissary is identified on SCDA's Mobile Food Establishment Supplemental form, submitted as part of the state permit application; it is not a City of Charleston document, though the city separately requires a Business License and a Mobile Food Vendor Operational Permit through the Fire Marshal's Office.

   Official government source

   No government fee for the agreement itself — it is part of the SCDA permit application. Commissary rent is a private commercial arrangement negotiated with the kitchen owner, so the amount varies by facility and is not set by any agency.·Arrange the commissary before you submit the SCDA mobile food establishment application, since the supplemental form asks for it.

   No government fee for the agreement itself — it is part of the SCDA permit application. Commissary rent is a private commercial arrangement negotiated with the kitchen owner, so the amount varies by facility and is not set by any agency.

   Arrange the commissary before you submit the SCDA mobile food establishment application, since the supplemental form asks for it.

Official Sources

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

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