Revenue Collections Division

The Revenue Collections Division is responsible for the collection and deposit in appropriate accounts of city revenues generated from business license fees, hospitality tax fees, parking permit fees, and special fees as directed by the ordinance.

Business License Renewal

For more information on renewing your business license, please visit our Business License Renewal page.

South Carolina's cities and towns are now required to standardize their business license practices due to the passage of Act 176.

What does this mean for your business?

2021 licenses will now expire on April 30, 2022.  Renewal forms will be mailed in April 2022 and will be due May 1, 2022.

Your current license will not be replaced and remains valid even though the expiration date listed is 12/31/2021.

The 2022 license year will run from May 1, 2022 through April 30, 2023.

Business license renewals will still be based on previous year’s income (calendar year 2021 or preceding fiscal year).   

All cities and towns will now have a standard rate class schedule.  Act 176 dictates that 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 2022 license year. However, it is possible that your business could change rate classes and pay at a higher or lower rate class than the previous year.

If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Revenue Collections Department by phone, 843-724-3711, or email, businesslicense@charleston-sc.gov. 

New Business License

To obtain a new business license, please visit our New Business License page. This page has further information on:

  • Food Cart Vendors
  • Home Occupation
  • Itinerant Business Licenses
  • Peddler's Permits
  • Special Event Vendors
  • Taxi and Limousine Licenses

Parking in the City

Revenue Collections is also responsible for the administration of the city's parking violation and fine collections system that includes the collection, processing, and depositing of parking ticket fines.