Home Bakery 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. 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. SCDA states it 'does not issue permits, licenses, certificates, or registrations' to home-based food producers; operators may request an optional Home-based Food ID number to use on labels in place of their home address. There is no statewide gross-sales cap, and the section does not apply at all to an operation with net earnings under $1,500 a year. Aluminum canned goods and charcuterie boards are excluded, as are time/temperature-controlled foods, bottled beverages, cheesecake, and hot or barbecue sauce. Labels must carry the required capitalised disclosure that the product is not subject to South Carolina's food safety regulations.

   Official government source

   Free — no permit or license fee, and the optional SCDA Home-based Food ID number 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 or license fee, and the optional SCDA Home-based Food ID number 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 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.

Official Sources

• South Carolina Cottage Food Law
• City of Columbia Business License Division

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