Catering Business Permit Requirements in Greenville, 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. South Carolina Retail Food Establishment Permit (catering)

   A catering operation working out of a commercial kitchen in Greenville must obtain a Retail Food Establishment permit from the SC Department of Agriculture's Retail Food Safety Department, which permits and inspects catering operations along with restaurants, grocery stores and mobile food establishments statewide under Regulation 61-25 — the City of Greenville does not run a health department that issues this permit. SCDA issues the permit before the facility opens and inspects it; at least one supervisory employee must be a certified food protection manager.

   Official government source

   SCDA's annual inspection fee is set by the previous calendar year's gross food and food-product sales: $100 up to $250,000; $150 to $500,000; $200 to $750,000; $250 to $1,000,000; $300 to $1,250,000; $350 to $1,500,000; $400 to $1,750,000; $450 above that. Card payments carry a 2.75% processing fee.·Not published. The permit is issued after SCDA's pre-opening inspection, so apply well before your planned opening ([email protected], 803-896-0640).

   SCDA's annual inspection fee is set by the previous calendar year's gross food and food-product sales: $100 up to $250,000; $150 to $500,000; $200 to $750,000; $250 to $1,000,000; $300 to $1,250,000; $350 to $1,500,000; $400 to $1,750,000; $450 above that. Card payments carry a 2.75% processing fee.

   Not published. The permit is issued after SCDA's pre-opening inspection, so apply well before your planned opening ([email protected], 803-896-0640).

2. City of Greenville Business License

   All businesses conducting business within the City of Greenville must hold a business license, issued by the city's Business License & Revenue Center (Finance Department). The license is renewed annually and must be displayed at the place of business.

   Official government source

   Calculated from gross receipts (projected for a new business) using the city's NAICS rate-class schedule — see the Business License Calculators on the city site. There is no flat annual amount.·Not published by the city. Apply to the Business License & Revenue Center before beginning business and confirm current processing time with that office.

   Calculated from gross receipts (projected for a new business) using the city's NAICS rate-class schedule — see the Business License Calculators on the city site. There is no flat annual amount.

   Not published by the city. Apply to the Business License & Revenue Center before beginning business and confirm current processing time with that office.

Official Sources

• Greenville County Health Department
• South Carolina Department of Revenue — Retail License

Related Guides