Home Bakery 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 Department of Agriculture, Regulation 61-25)

   Retail food establishments in South Carolina are permitted and inspected by the SC Department of Agriculture's Retail Food Safety Department under Regulation 61-25, which requires a Certified Food Protection Manager. A home-based (cottage food) operation is exempt: SC Code 44-1-143 provides that it "is not a retail food establishment and is not subject to regulation by the department." Certification is therefore optional for cottage food producers and is still recommended as a food-safety practice.

   Official government source

   No state fee — certification is earned through an ANSI-accredited private exam provider (e.g. ServSafe); provider pricing varies·Set by the exam provider, not the state; SCDA does not publish a certification timeline

   No state fee — certification is earned through an ANSI-accredited private exam provider (e.g. ServSafe); provider pricing varies

   Set by the exam provider, not the state; SCDA does not publish a certification timeline

1. South Carolina Home-Based Food Production (Cottage Food) Law

   Under S.C. Code Section 44-1-143, an individual may prepare nonpotentially hazardous foods in a home kitchen and sell them directly to consumers — including online and by mail order — or to retail and grocery stores. A home-based food production operation is not a retail food establishment and is not permitted, licensed or inspected by the SC Department of Agriculture; the statute excludes aluminum canned goods and charcuterie boards, and SCDA's guidance also excludes time/temperature-controlled foods, bottled beverages, cheesecake, and hot or barbecue sauce. There is no statewide gross-sales cap. Labels must carry the operation's name and address (or an optional SCDA Home-based Food ID number in place of the address), the product name, ingredients in descending order by weight, allergen information, and the capitalised statement that the product is not subject to South Carolina's food safety regulations.

   Official government source

   Free — no permit, license or registration fee. The SCDA Home-based Food ID number is optional and carries no published fee.·No state registration step is required before selling. Allow time only if you request the optional SCDA Home-based Food ID number.

   Free — no permit, license or registration fee. The SCDA Home-based Food ID number is optional and carries no published fee.

   No state registration step is required before selling. Allow time only if you request the optional SCDA Home-based Food ID number.

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

• South Carolina Cottage Food Law
• City of Charleston Revenue Collections Division

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