Cleaning Service 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. South Carolina Workers' Compensation Insurance

   South Carolina requires an employer to carry workers' compensation insurance once it regularly employs four or more employees (SC Code 42-1-360). Employers with fewer than four regular employees, and sole proprietors with no employees, are generally exempt, though coverage may be elected voluntarily. Coverage is purchased from a private carrier or through approved self-insurance; the SC Workers' Compensation Commission administers the system.

   Official government source

   No state application fee — premiums are set by your insurance carrier based on payroll and classification code; the Commission does not publish premium amounts·Coverage is bound by your insurance carrier; the Commission does not publish a processing timeline

   No state application fee — premiums are set by your insurance carrier based on payroll and classification code; the Commission does not publish premium amounts

   Coverage is bound by your insurance carrier; the Commission does not publish a processing timeline

1. 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.

2. Greenville Home-Based Business Zoning Compliance (and trade name)

   A cleaning service run from a home in the City of Greenville must comply with the city's zoning rules for home-based businesses and hold the city's business license; confirm with the city's Planning & Zoning staff whether a standalone home occupation approval or a business-license-level zoning check applies to your address. South Carolina does not register DBAs — SC Business One Stop states the state does not register them and directs businesses to their municipality or county, where a trade name is normally recorded on the local business license rather than filed with a county clerk.

   Official government source

   No separate home-occupation or DBA filing fee is documented. The cost is the city business license fee, calculated from gross receipts using the city's rate-class schedule.·Not published by the city. Apply to the Business License & Revenue Center before beginning business and confirm current processing time with that office.

   No separate home-occupation or DBA filing fee is documented. The cost is the city business license fee, calculated from gross receipts using the city's rate-class schedule.

   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

• City of Greenville Business License Division
• South Carolina Department of Revenue — Retail License

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