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Apply for a Business License

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All businesses conducting business within the Town of Hilton Head Island, including home based businesses, are required to obtain a business license.

Business Application Process

If the physical address of your business is located within the town limits of Hilton Head Island

We will coordinate with other town departments to review and approve your business license application. This also includes home based businesses.

  • The Town will verify your physical address with our 911 addressing technician to ensure public safety.
  • Community Development to review your application for Land Management Ordinance (LMO) zoning compliance.
    • We suggest you verify your zoning for your business prior to signing a commercial lease or starting a home based business.

      To verify zoning for your business contact Community Development at 843-341-4757 or email cdic@hiltonheadislandsc.gov.

      View the Zoning Map

  • If you are not a home based business, the Town will request a fire inspection of your location to ensure public safety.

    View Additional requirements for home based businesses

If the physical address of your business is located outside the town limits of Hilton Head Island

Your business license application will not typically require Town department reviews.

However, we may request Community Development or other Town departments to review your application under special circumstances.

Basic Items needed for the Business License Application

  • Business Name
  • Business Mailing Address
  • Physical Address of Business
  • Type of Entity: Sole Proprietorship, Corporation, Partnership, LLC, Other
  • Principal/owner name, address, phone number
  • Federal ID Number or Social Security Number
    • The Town accepts Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN) or Employer Identification Numbers (EIN)

Business License Application Categories

Retail Business

Construction Contractors & Subcontractors

Food Trucks / Mobile Food Units

Food and Beverage

Professional or Independent Contractor

Rental Property

Commercial
Long-Term
Short-Term


Charitable Organizations

Farmers Market Vendors

Home Based Business

Resources

Business License Application
Property Rental Business License Application

Business License Tax Standardization Act

The SC General Assembly passed Act 176, SC Business License Tax Standardization Act, to streamline the business license process by creating the same process for taxing jurisdictions across the state. As of January 1, 2022, all municipalities in South Carolina that levy a local business license tax must comply with the law.

The standardization will require all property owners that rent their property to obtain a business license.

Learn more about the Business License Tax Standardization Act


Questions?

We are eager to assist you in getting your business established in the Town of Hilton Head Island. If you are just getting started, have general questions or encounter obstacles, we are here to help.

Contact Revenue Services at RS@hiltonheadislandsc.gov or 843-341-4677