General Contractor Permits & Licenses in North Charleston, SC

Required for all LLCs to legally form the business entity. Renewal not required but annual report filing is separate (see below).

Applies to ALL South Carolina LLCs, regardless of industry.

Required for general contractors bidding or working on projects with aggregate construction cost of $5,000 or more. Group 1 (Unlimited) covers all project sizes.

General contractors doing residential specialty work need this in addition to commercial license if applicable.

South Carolina law requires all motor vehicles registered to a business to carry liability insurance meeting minimum limits: $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage (25/50/25). Personal auto policies do not cover business use.

Not required by South Carolina law for general contractors. However, may be required by clients or project contracts, especially for design-build or project management services. Recommended for risk mitigation.

Not legally required in South Carolina unless tied to a specific regulated product. General contractors who do not manufacture or sell products typically do not need standalone product liability insurance. Risk may be covered under general liability.

Not applicable to general contractors unless they serve alcohol (e.g., at promotional events). Required only for businesses holding alcohol licenses. General contractors typically do not need this coverage.

Not required by state law for all contractors, but routinely required in public and large private projects. Covers damage to materials, equipment, and temporary structures. Often required alongside general liability and workers' comp.

Required for all LLCs, especially those with employees or multiple members. Even single-member LLCs should obtain an EIN for tax and banking purposes.

General contractors must comply with OSHA construction standards (29 CFR 1926), including fall protection, scaffolding, and hazard communication. OSHA requires a written safety program, training, and site-specific hazard assessments.

All employers, including LLCs, must complete Form I-9 to verify identity and work authorization. Employers must retain I-9 forms for 3 years after hire or 1 year after employment ends, whichever is later.

LLCs are pass-through entities by default; profits are reported on owners’ personal tax returns. Multi-member LLCs file Form 1065; single-member LLCs report on Schedule C. If employees are hired, contractor must withhold federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare (Form 941 quarterly). Self-employment tax applies to net earnings.

Applies to general contractors with employees. Requires payment of federal minimum wage ($7.25/hr), overtime (1.5x regular rate after 40 hours), proper recordkeeping, and youth employment standards. Construction industry is covered under FLSA.

Required for all commercial contractors. Amount based on financial statement (min $25,000 for Group 1-3).

Applies to ALL businesses using DBAs. Expires after 5 years unless renewed.

Required for sales tax permit, withholding account, or unemployment insurance if applicable. Applies to businesses with nexus.

General contractors must collect and remit sales tax on materials incorporated into real property. Labor is generally not taxable unless bundled with materials. See SC DOR Regulation 117-303(A)(1).

Employers must withhold state income tax from employee wages. Registration is done via SC Business One Stop portal.

Employers pay unemployment insurance tax on first $8,000 of each employee's wages annually (rate varies by experience rating).

LLCs taxed as partnerships or disregarded entities still file Form SC1120S or SC1065. Franchise tax is due even if no income. See SC Regulation 117-2401.

Most cities and counties in SC require a local business license (also called privilege tax). Fees and requirements vary. Verify with local clerk of court or finance office. See SC Code § 4-1-210.

Exemptions exist for agricultural, single-family residential (under $2,500), and certain maintenance work. Must hold appropriate classification (e.g., General Building, Electrical, Plumbing).

Every SC county requires a business license for general contractors based on gross receipts. Must apply through county treasurer or auditor office. Specific fee schedules on individual county .gov sites (e.g., https://www.greenvillecounty.org/Business/License.aspx for Greenville).

Cities like Charleston (Code Sec. 56-3), Columbia (https://www.columbiasc.gov/business-licenses/), and Greenville (https://www.greenvillesc.gov/598/Business-Licenses) require separate licenses. General contractors classified under construction NAICS codes.

Required for office/yard use; construction sites need zoning approval first. Example: Greenville County Ordinance 29-7 requires zoning permit before building permit.

Issued by city/county building departments. General contractors must verify zoning compliance first (e.g., Charleston Code Chapter 11).

Regulated under local zoning codes (e.g., Charleston County Zoning Ordinance Article 13). Freestanding signs often require engineering review.

Required for commercial occupancies (IFC adoption via local code). General contractors storing materials may need hazardous materials permit.

Required in counties/cities like Richland, Greenville to reduce false alarms (e.g., Richland County Ordinance 2-2018).

Limited to low-impact activities; no heavy equipment storage allowed (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 54-711). Not suitable for full contractor operations.

Requires eligible employers to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying medical and family reasons. General contractors must comply if they meet the employee threshold.

General contractors must ensure that any public-facing facilities (e.g., offices, model homes) are accessible to people with disabilities. Applies to new construction and alterations under ADA Standards for Accessible Design.

Federal requirement for contractors disturbing painted surfaces in homes or child-occupied facilities built before 1978. Requires firm certification, use of certified renovators, lead-safe work practices, and client education. Applies to general contractors performing such work.

General contractors must avoid deceptive or unsubstantiated claims in advertising (e.g., “lowest price,” “licensed and insured” if false). Applies to websites, social media, and printed materials. Part of FTC’s Section 5 authority against unfair or deceptive practices.

Requires payment of prevailing wages and benefits to laborers and mechanics on federal construction projects. Applies to general contractors working on public buildings or federally funded infrastructure.

Local zoning/planning administers; required for large parking lots (e.g., Greenville County Site Plan Review).

No permit needed unless requesting variance. Enforced 7am-9pm limits (Columbia Code 17.36). Counties have similar ordinances.

Required for all employers with four or more employees (full-time, part-time, or seasonal). Sole proprietors and partners are exempt unless they elect coverage. Corporate officers may be excluded only under specific conditions. Coverage must be obtained from a licensed insurer or approved self-insurance program.

Not legally required by South Carolina state law for contractors, but strongly recommended and often required by contracts, project owners, or local permitting authorities. Does not replace workers' compensation or surety bonds.

A $10,000 surety bond is required for all Class A, B, or C contractor licenses issued by the South Carolina Secretary of State. The bond protects the public against violations of the Contractor’s Licensing Law. Bond must be issued by a surety licensed in South Carolina.