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Home Based Business License

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Do you operate your business from home on Hilton Head Island?

If so, you are required to obtain a Town of Hilton Head Island business license.

  • Many types of businesses can be home based and require a Town business license such as online businesses, consulting services and musicians.
  • Your business may not provide services within Town limits, but you are still required to obtain a business license with the Town of Hilton Head Island.

If you are in this category, use the following as your business license checklist.

Home Based Business License Checklist

Business Entity

SC does not require you to register your DBA name.

  • Copy of Articles of Organization, Articles of Incorporation or Partnership Agreement are required.
    • Not required for Sole Proprietorship.
  • Current list of members, officers or managing partners are required.
    • Not required for Sole Proprietorship.
  • Registration with SC Secretary of State.
    • Out of state business entities will need to obtain a Certificate of Authorization from SC Secretary of State as a Foreign Entity to operate in SC.
    • Not required for Sole Proprietorship.
    • SC Secretary of State
      www.scsos.com or
      803-734-2158

SC does not require you to register your DBA name.

SC Retail License is required for all retail sales

SC Department of Revenue
https://dor.sc.gov
803-898-5788

Complete the Town of Hilton Head Island Business License Application

Business License Application

  • Application must be signed by owner, officer or principal managing partner.
  • Application made in person must be presented by an owner, officer or principal managing partner.
    • Otherwise, written authorization for an agent to act on owner's behalf is required.
    • Valid picture ID required.
  • Mail your completed business license application with $10 non-refundable application fee to:
    • Town of Hilton Head Island
      Attention: Revenue Services
      1 Town Center Court
      Hilton Head Island, SC 29928

      You may fax your complete business license application to 843-341-4637.
      We will collect your $10 non-refundable application fee after we process your application.

Your home based business license tax is based on all gross income generated by your business whether or not the services provided took place within the Town of Hilton Head Island

You may exclude gross income reported to other municipalities where a business license tax has been paid.

Additional Requirements for Home Based Businesses

  • The home occupation is conducted entirely within a single family dwelling or integral part thereof and has no outside storage of any kind related to the home occupation or in the case where activities take place away from the dwelling such activities are in full compliance with the Land Management Ordinance (LMO).
  • The home occupation is clearly incidental and secondary to the principal use of the dwelling.
    • It shall not occupy an area exceeding 25 percent of the gross floor area of the dwelling unit.
  • The home occupation is conducted only by persons residing on the premises (nonresident employees are not permitted).
  • The home occupation does not necessitate or cause the exterior appearance of any structure to be other than residential and is not disruptive of the residential character of the neighborhoods.
  • There is no advertising of the home occupation on the site.
  • The home occupation creates no disturbing or offensive noise, vibration, smoke, dust, odor, heat, glare, unhealthy or unsightly conditions, traffic or parking problem.

If you are a home based business, we suggest you contact your Home Owners Association (HOA) to see if there are any covenants or restrictions that would limit you from running a business in your home. The Town does not monitor this information.

Questions?

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