A Business License & Certificate of Occupancy (BL&CO) application is required for any business with a physical location within the City limits.
Estimated Review Time: Our team’s goal is to respond to initial applications within 10 business days. Please note that incomplete applications, missing attachments, failed inspections, or failure to pay fees will extend this process. Our team notifies applicants via email and the CSS portal to request revisions or when inspections are ready to be scheduled. Upon passing inspection and paying fees, businesses will receive approval and may open. It can take up to 3-4 weeks to complete the entire process and for a BL&CO to be issued.
Submit Application: Submit completed Business License Certificate of Occupancy through the City's Customer Self Service (CSS) Portal | email to businesslicense@charleston-sc.gov | by mail at ATTN: Revenue Collections Business License P.O. Box 22009 Charleston, SC 29413-2009 | or drop-off at the Permit Center.
Create a Customer Self Service (CSS) account to apply for permits, schedule inspections, renew business licenses, search public records, and more!
If you have trouble creating an account, contact our Digital Services Specialist at (843) 579-7683 or davisl@charleston-sc.gov .
The Zoning Department will confirm that the property you are planning to occupy is zoned for your business's particular use. Contact Zoning at (843) 724-3765 before signing a lease or purchasing property to ensure you can operate your type of business at that particular location.
Zoning regulations address a wide range of issues, including: type of commercial use, allowed hours of business use, parking, and signage.
You can also view which properties are located within the City limits and their zoning designations using the City's Interactive Zoning Map.
The Building Inspections Division ensures that the physical structure is in compliance with all building codes/requirements for the Certificate of Occupancy.
Floor Plans: All BL&CO applications require a detailed floor plan of the space the business is planning to occupy. Any business that is not an assembly, restaurant, or institutional space can submit a hand drawn floor plan following the Required Attachments - Floor Plan guide on page 3 of the BL&CO application.
Building Permits: Any building, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fuel-gas work requires additional permits. Visit the Permit Center - Applications & Guidelines page for more information.
The Fire Marshal Division conducts a fire safety inspection by reviewing the business activity and facility to help ensure minimum fire safety requirements have been achieved. The applicant must complete the Fire Inspection Self Survey as part of their BL&CO application and provide it to the Fire Marshal at time of inspection.
Once all internal reviews are complete, the applicant will receive an email notification to schedule an in person Fire Inspection through the City's Customer Self Service (CSS) Portal. Please note: This can take up to 3 business days to schedule.
If you have questions about scheduling your Fire Inspection, please contact (843) 973-7230. You can also find your designated Fire Marshal through the City's Fire Marshal Assignment Map.
Once the BL&CO is approved, the Business License Division will contact you to assign your business a NAICS Code. Business license fees are based on the type of business (NAICS Code) and the projected gross income of the business for the balance of the calendar year. An invoice will be sent to the applicant's CSS Account and email.
How to Pay Business License Fees:
Once all fees are paid, the Business License & Certificate of Occupancy will be sent to the applicant via email and a hard copy will be mailed.
The Business License & Certificate of Occupancy must be framed and posted within 10 feet of the primary entry door, or approved alternate location, with the top of the frame measuring no higher than 6 feet above the floor and an immediate view of the public.
2 George Street - Suite 3700, First Floor, Charleston, SC 29401
Hours: Walk-ins Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (Closed on City Observed Holidays)
Phone: (843) 724-3711
Visit the Permit Center webpage for more information.