Handyman Business 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 Contractor's Licensing Board — General Contractor License

   General contractors performing work with a total construction cost over $10,000 in South Carolina must be licensed by the SC Contractor's Licensing Board at LLR (S.C. Code Title 40, Chapter 11, threshold raised from $5,000 effective 19 May 2023). Licensure requires passing a trade examination and a business and law examination, and the license group determines the financial statement and surety requirements.

   Official government source

   $350 initial General and Mechanical Contractor license fee, per LLR's published Contractor's Licensing Board fee schedule. Biennial renewal is $135 if paid by 31 October, with late fees of $100 to $200 added after that. Reinstatement is $350.·Not published by the board. Timing depends on exam scheduling and on review of the required financial statement — confirm current processing time with the Contractor's Licensing Board.

   $350 initial General and Mechanical Contractor license fee, per LLR's published Contractor's Licensing Board fee schedule. Biennial renewal is $135 if paid by 31 October, with late fees of $100 to $200 added after that. Reinstatement is $350.

   Not published by the board. Timing depends on exam scheduling and on review of the required financial statement — confirm current processing time with the Contractor's Licensing Board.

1. 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.

2. City of Columbia / Richland County Building & Trade Permits for regulated work

   Electrical, plumbing, mechanical/HVAC and structural work require a permit from whichever building department has jurisdiction — the City of Columbia Development Center inside city limits, or Richland County outside them. South Carolina also limits who may perform the work: LLR’s Contractor’s Licensing Board licenses commercial contractors above the statutory threshold and the Residential Builders Commission licenses residential builders and specialty contractors, so a handyman must not perform licensed trade work without the corresponding licence. Cosmetic work such as painting, minor repairs and assembly generally does not require a permit.

   Official government source

   City of Columbia commercial building and trade permits are valuation-based: $50.00 for work valued $1 to $5,000, then $50.00 for the first $5,000 plus $9.00 per $1,000 from $5,001 to $100,000. Residential permits are $20.00 for $1 to $5,000 of value and $4.00 per $1,000 above $5,000, with a $25.00 plan review fee. Richland County publishes its own separate schedule.·Not published. Permits may be filed through the Access Columbia portal or emailed to the Development Center (803-545-3420); inspections are requested at 803-545-3422.

   City of Columbia commercial building and trade permits are valuation-based: $50.00 for work valued $1 to $5,000, then $50.00 for the first $5,000 plus $9.00 per $1,000 from $5,001 to $100,000. Residential permits are $20.00 for $1 to $5,000 of value and $4.00 per $1,000 above $5,000, with a $25.00 plan review fee. Richland County publishes its own separate schedule.

   Not published. Permits may be filed through the Access Columbia portal or emailed to the Development Center (803-545-3420); inspections are requested at 803-545-3422.

Official Sources

• City of Columbia Business License Division
• South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board — General Contractor License

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