The Business License Office, a division of the Finance Department, assists the local business community with the highest quality of customer service. We facilitate the issuance of business licenses, event licenses, food truck permits, and the collection of hospitality and accommodations fees.
Any business physically located within the City of Beaufort (resident) is required to obtain a business license. All nonresident businesses that conduct business within the City of Beaufort must also obtain a business license.
The attached flow chart explains the process involved in getting a business license: Flow chart PDF
South Carolina State Law §5-7-30, and City ordinance, provides for the assessment of a business license tax against the gross income of business operations. This tax is an excise tax. The City of Beaufort assesses the tax based on the business classification according to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Taxes are applied to all businesses operating in the City, including those businesses whose operations are based outside the City limits.
All businesses serving prepared foods are required to assess a hospitality fee to customers. There is a 2% local fee imposed by the business on each customer for the purchase of prepared foods or beverages. This 2% hospitality fee is then reported and paid monthly to the Business License Office.
A 3% local fee is imposed by the business on each customer's nightly accommodations provided by hotels, motels, inns, beds and breakfast, etc. This 3% accommodations fee is then reported and paid monthly to the Business License Office.
To remit payment for business licensing with an e-check or credit card please adhere to the following instructions after clicking the link below.
Please register for an online remittal account by selecting one of the prompted profile options (Google, Apple, Microsoft or Facebook). If the prompted profile options are not applicable, please select the “Don’t have an account? Sign up” link at the bottom of the page to enter you email address and select a password. Once registered, an email will be sent to validate email address used to register.
After registration, please notify the Business License Department for account linking. The Business License office may be reached at BUSLICENSE@CITYOFBEAUFORT.ORG or by phone at (843)525-7025.