Business License Renewals
All business licenses expire on April 30th of each year. Business License Renewal Forms are typically mailed to business owners during April.
Business license renewals are based on the previous year’s income (businesses open less than a year annualize the previous year's income).
All cities and towns will now have a standard rate class schedule. Act 176 dictates all businesses, statewide, be placed in the same rate class based on their NAICS code.
The City did not adjust our fee schedule for the 2025 license year. However, your business could change rate classes and pay at a higher or lower rate class than the previous year.
How to Renew a Business License:
- Online through our Customer Self-Service Portal
- In person at the Permit Center - 2 George Street, Charleston SC 29401.
- Mail (only checks or money orders)
- City of Charleston - Revenue Collections Division, PO Box 22009 Charleston, SC 29413
The City offers an eCheck (ACH) option for payments over $50. All transactions paid by credit or with a debit card will incur a 3.29% service charge.
If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Revenue Collections Department by phone, at 843-724-3711, or email, at businesslicense@charleston-sc.gov.
Timely Filing of Business License Renewal Forms & Fees
All business licenses expire on April 30th of each year. Typically, Business License Renewal Forms are mailed to business owners during April.
Businesses are responsible for the timely filing of their Business License Renewal Form and fees. The required license fee for each business is due on May 1st of each year and payable by May 31st of that year. Delinquent renewal penalties will accrue after June 30th. The license fee due date for insurance companies is May 31st. If the due date for payment falls on a Saturday or Sunday, or a federal, state, or City of Charleston observed holiday then payment is considered timely on the following business day.
A licensee who submits a payment greater than the amount owed may request a refund. To be considered, a refund request must be submitted in writing to the Municipality before June 1st immediately following the April 30th on which the payment was due.
Late Payment Penalties
Businesses that do not meet the business license renewal deadline are required to pay penalty fees.
The penalties for unpaid business licenses are:
- First Month: 5% of the unpaid fee
- Second Month: An additional 20% of the unpaid fee (25% total)
- Third Month: An additional 10% of the unpaid fee (35% total)
Late Payment Penalties may not be waived. A partial payment may be accepted by the License Official to toll imposition of penalties on the portion paid; provided, however, no business license
Cancellation of a Business License
If you no longer own your business or if your business closed during the previous year, you must download, complete, and submit the Cancellation of Business License Form (PDF), along with your Business License Renewal Form. If you sell your business, the new owner must file for a new business license. Business licenses are not transferable to new business owners.
If you are opening a new business, doing business in the City, buying an existing business, or transferring a business to your ownership, you will need a new business license under your name.