There is no single all-encompassing State business license; however, nearly all municipalities in the state require a business license. The business will need a local business license in most of the municipalities where business is physically located and conducted.
Example 1:
If a business is physically located in the City of Columbia and does business in the Town of Irmo, business licenses are required from both Columbia and Irmo. Home-based and online businesses are required to have business licenses.
Example 2:
If the business is physically located in or conducts business in the unincorporated (non-city limit) area of a county, the business will need a county business license if that county is one of the counties listed with **.
Example 3:
If the business has a food truck or is a contractor based in the unincorporated area of Richland County (which requires a business license) and conducts business in the City of Columbia, the business would need a Richland County business license and a City of Columbia business license.
Search your city, town, or county contact information on the
Municipal Association of South Carolina website.