Daycare / Child Care Center Permit Requirements in Columbia, 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 centres in South Carolina must be licensed by the SC DSS Division of Early Care and Education, which regulates providers through regional licensing 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 and staff training. Licensed 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. Budget instead for the background check charges, the local building and fire approvals, and any required staff training.·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 licence — 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. Budget instead for the background check charges, the local building and fire approvals, and any required staff training.

   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 licence — confirm current timing with SC DSS.

2. City of Columbia Business License

   Every business with a location inside Columbia city limits must hold a general business licence from the City of Columbia Business Licensing Division. The licence is renewed each year and must be displayed at your place of business. Applications and renewals are handled through the Business Licensing Self-Service Portal. Zoning compatibility for the business address is confirmed separately through Planning & Development.

   Official government source

   Based on gross income and the NAICS rate class under the SC Business License Tax Standardization Act (S.C. Code Section 6-1-400 et seq.) — there is no flat fee. For a new business the fee is projected from the start-of-business date through December 31; at renewal it is based on the previous year’s reported gross income. Use the city’s rate-class schedule to calculate your amount.·All Columbia business licences expire April 30, with the licence year running May 1 to April 30 and renewal season opening in February. Fastest through the Self-Service Portal; the city warns that mailed renewals can take six to eight weeks between February and June.

   Based on gross income and the NAICS rate class under the SC Business License Tax Standardization Act (S.C. Code Section 6-1-400 et seq.) — there is no flat fee. For a new business the fee is projected from the start-of-business date through December 31; at renewal it is based on the previous year’s reported gross income. Use the city’s rate-class schedule to calculate your amount.

   All Columbia business licences expire April 30, with the licence year running May 1 to April 30 and renewal season opening in February. Fastest through the Self-Service Portal; the city warns that mailed renewals can take six to eight weeks between February and June.

3. City of Columbia Building Permit & Fire Safety Inspection (child care center)

   Before SC DSS will licence a child care centre, the building must pass a fire safety inspection and the building inspections tied to its permits. Fire inspections for child care facilities run through the SC State Fire Marshal within LLR’s Division of State Fire, or the local fire department acting on its behalf; building permits and inspections inside Columbia are handled by the Planning & Development Department’s Development Center. Accessibility and fire suppression requirements are enforced through the adopted building and fire codes rather than a separate child-proofing permit.

   Official government source

   Neither the city nor LLR’s Division of State Fire publishes a flat inspection fee. The costs you can price are the permits: Columbia commercial building and trade permits are $50.00 for work valued $1 to $5,000, then $50.00 for the first $5,000 plus $9.00 per $1,000 up to $100,000, and the commercial zoning permit is $10.00.·Not published. The fire and building approvals must be in hand before DSS issues the child care licence — confirm sequencing with the Development Center (803-545-3420) and the DSS Division of Early Care and Education.

   Neither the city nor LLR’s Division of State Fire publishes a flat inspection fee. The costs you can price are the permits: Columbia commercial building and trade permits are $50.00 for work valued $1 to $5,000, then $50.00 for the first $5,000 plus $9.00 per $1,000 up to $100,000, and the commercial zoning permit is $10.00.

   Not published. The fire and building approvals must be in hand before DSS issues the child care licence — confirm sequencing with the Development Center (803-545-3420) and the DSS Division of Early Care and Education.

Official Sources

• South Carolina Department of Social Services — Child Care Center License
• City of Columbia Business License Division

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