Richland County, South Carolina

Richland County Logo

Navigation

  • Online Services

    Online Services

    Save time with our convenient online services.

    Find out more
    • Online Payments
    • Family Court Calendar
    • Business Service Center
    • GIS & Mapping
    • Online Data Services
    • Locate a Lost Pet
    • Inmate Inquiry
    • Voters and Districts
    • Vehicle, Real Estate, Business & Personal Tax
    • Property Value & Tax Estimate
    • Assessor Mailing Address Change
    • Assessor Legal Residence Application
    • Estate Inquiry
    • Homestead Exemption Application
    • Marriage License Inquiry
    • Marriage License Application
    • Watch County Council Live
    • Agricultural Real Property Application
    • Business Personal Property Return
    • General Session Motion Rosters
    • Family Court Payment Inquiry
    • Public Court Records Search
    • Common Pleas Court Roster
    • Master In Equity Court Rosters
    • Summary Court Dockets
    • Hazardous Material Registration
  • Residents

    Residents

    Find services, schools, and safety information.

    Find out more
    • Engage Richland
    • Education
    • Health & Social Services
    • Libraries
    • Public Safety
    • Vector Control
      • Mosquitoes
      • Diseases Spread By Mosquitoes
      • Beekeeper Information
    • Housing
      • Home Ownership Assistance
      • Homeowner Rehabilitation
    • Information for Residents
      • Local Hospitals
      • Schools
      • Getting Around Richland County
      • Automobile Registration & Driver's License
      • Pet Licenses
      • Voter Registration
      • Jury Duty
      • Solid Waste & Recycling
      • Local Utility Providers
    • Emergency Preparedness
  • Businesses

    Businesses

    Competitive tax incentives make Richland County a great place to do business.

    Find out more
    • Doing Business with Richland County
      • Accounts Payable Information
    • Running a Business
      • Hospitality Tax Information
        • Taxable Items
        • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Forms
    • Starting a Business
    • Procurement & Contracting
      • About Us
      • Solicitations
      • Announcements
      • Vendors
    • Office of Small Business Opportunity (OSBO)
  • Government

    Government

    Access a complete listing of Richland County departments, committees, and courts.

    Find out more
    • Advisory Councils
      • Central Midlands Council of Governments
      • Lexington Richland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Control
      • Richland County Neighborhood Council
      • Solid Waste Advisory Council
      • Community Relations Council
    • Boards
      • Board of Assessment Appeals
      • Building Board of Adjustment and Appeal
      • Business Service Center Appeals Board
      • Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (CMRTA)
      • Historic Columbia Foundation
      • Library Board of Trustees
      • Performing Arts Center Board
      • Richland Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees
      • River Alliance Board
      • The Township Auditorium
      • Elections and Voter Registration Board
        • Agendas, Minutes and Actions - 2013
        • Agendas, Minutes and Actions - 2012
        • Agendas, Minutes and Actions - 2011
      • Board of Zoning Appeals
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions
        • Agendas, Minutes, & Actions - Prior Years
    • County Council
      • Clerk of Council
      • News
      • County Council Districts
      • County Council Members
        • Gretchen Barron
        • Jason Branham
        • Cheryl English
        • Paul Livingston
          • Paul Livingston Bio Part II
        • Jesica Mackey
        • Yvonne McBride
          • Yvonne McBride Bio Part II
        • Chakisse Newton
        • Derrek Pugh
        • Allison Terracio
        • Overture Walker
        • Don Weaver
      • Strategic Plan
      • Motions Search
      • Agendas, Minutes & Actions
      • Agenda, Minutes & Actions - Prior Years
    • Courts and Judicial System
      • Clerk of Court
        • General Sessions
        • Jury Information
        • Clerk of Court Staff
        • Common Pleas
      • Family Court
      • Magistrates
        • Magistrates Court Forms
      • Master-in-Equity
      • Probate Court
        • Amy McCulloch, Probate Judge
        • Probate Court Divisions
          • Estate Division
          • Guardian & Conservatorship
          • Records Division
          • Marriage License
          • Commitment
        • Filing Fees
        • History
        • Workshops
        • Probate Terms
        • Probate Contacts
        • Forms
      • Public Defender
      • Solicitor
    • Departments
      • Department Directory
      • Animal Care
        • Facts
          • About
          • Info
          • Disaster
        • FAQ
        • Licensing
        • Links
        • Cat Diversion
        • View
      • Budget and Grants Management
        • Annual Budget Reports
          • Current Fiscal Year Reports
          • Prior Fiscal Years Reports
        • ARPA Grants Applications
      • Building Codes & Inspections
        • Plans Review
        • Frequently Asked Questions
        • Contacts
      • Business Operations
        • Central Services
        • Finance
          • Accounts Payable Check Register
          • Reporting
          • ACFR Reports
          • Financial Transparency Reporting
          • Procurement Card Register
          • Annual Budget Reports
        • GIS & Mapping
        • Human Resources
        • Information Technology
        • Procurement
        • Register of Deeds
          • Frequently Asked Questions
        • Small Local Business Enterprises
      • Community Development
        • Community Development Programs
          • Homeownership
          • Homeowner Rehabilitation
          • Neighborhood Revitalization
          • Public Improvements
          • Stimulus Projects
        • CDBG Mitigation
        • Community Development News
        • Housing & Urban Development
          • Fair Housing
      • Conservation
        • Soil & Water Conservation District
          • About
          • Natural Resources Conservation
          • Youth Education
          • Join Us
          • Conservation District News
          • Board Meetings
        • Conservation Commission
        • Pinewood Lake Park
          • Rules
          • Picnic Shelters
          • Fishing and Boating
          • Trails and Fitness
          • Demonstration Garden
          • Park History
          • Natural History
      • Executive
        • Administration
        • Clerk of Council
        • Ombudsman
      • Health & Social Services
      • Government and Community Services
        • About Us
        • Education
        • Business Community
        • Other Community Groups
        • Homeowners Associations
        • Institutes of Higher Education and SC Works
        • Elected Officials and Local Municipalities
      • Grants
        • Accommodations Tax
        • Hospitality Tax
        • Discretionary Grants
          • COVID-19 Pandemic Relief Grants
      • Legislative
        • Legislative Delegation
      • Licensing & Registration
        • Animal Care
        • Business Service Center
          • BSC Online Services
          • Proposed Bag Ordinance
            • More Info for Residents
              • Take the Resident Survey
            • More Info for Businesses
              • Take the Business Survey
            • More Resources
            • Ordinance Timeline
            • Updates from County Council
            • Plastics and Recycling Q & A
        • Marriage License Inquiry
        • Planning & Development
        • Register of Deeds
      • OSBO
        • Services
        • Resources
          • Ordinances
        • Current Contracts
        • Steps
          • Is My Business Eligible?
          • Submit an Application
          • Onsite Visit & Interview
        • Home
          • About Us
          • Workshops & Events
          • News
      • Planning & Development
        • Comprehensive Planning
        • Neighborhood Planning
          • RCNC
          • Grants
          • Master Plans
          • Events
          • Planning Month
        • Sustainability Planning
          • Accomplishments
          • News
          • Publications
          • Resources
          • Sustainability Tour
        • E-911 Addressing and Road Naming
        • Floodplain Management
          • FPBasics
          • DevReview
          • Mapping
          • Prep
          • Property
          • Drainage
          • Info
      • Public Information Office
      • Public Safety
        • Animal Care
        • Coroner
        • Detention Center
        • Emergency Services
        • Richland County Sheriff's Department
        • SC Department of Public Safety
        • SC Law Enforcement Division
        • Victim/Witness Assistance
      • Public Works
        • GIS Public Works
        • Special Services
        • Jim Hamilton-LB Owens Airport (CUB)
        • Roads & Drainage Maintenance
        • Department Projects
        • Engineering
        • Solid Waste & Recycling
          • Curbside Pick-up
            • Recycling
            • New Account Set-up and Moving
            • Handicapped Service Options
            • Roll Cart Care
            • Household Garbage
            • Yard Waste
            • Bulk and Large Items
            • Evictions and Unwanted Items
            • Household Hazardous Waste
          • Drop-off Facilities
            • Residential and Commercial
            • Accepted Items
            • Drop-off Locations
            • Transporting Loads
            • Illegal Dumping
          • Solid Waste and Recycling Service Areas
        • Stormwater Management
          • Construction
          • Education and Public Involvement
          • Inspections
          • Monitoring
          • Ordinances
          • Capital Improvement Projects
      • Taxes
        • Pay Online
        • Treasurer
          • Tax Payment Options
          • Planned Payments
          • Frequently Asked Questions
          • David A. Adams
          • Treasurer News Archive
          • Treasurer News
          • FLC Available Properties
        • Assessor
          • Legal Residence Clarification
          • Agriculture Use Value
          • Classification of Property
          • Example of Appraisal Notice
          • How to Challenge Your Value or Assessment
          • Property Appraised by the SC Department of Revenue
          • Taxes & Fair Assessment
          • School Tax Credit
          • 2014 Reassessment Program
        • Auditor
          • Property
          • Tax Exemptions
        • Hospitality Tax
      • Transportation Penny
        • Projects
        • Reports
        • Public Meetings
        • Archived Reports
      • Utilities
        • Water
          • Water Rates Schedule
          • Water System Consumer Confidence Reports
        • Sewer
          • Industrial Pretreatment Rates Schedule
          • Sanitary Rates Schedule
        • Forms
        • Procurement
        • Learn
        • News
        • About
        • Service Area Map
        • Current Alerts
        • Development
        • Other Utility Providers
        • Billing & Service
          • Establish Service
          • Cancel Service
          • Billing Adjustment
          • Delinquent Accounts
          • Special Power of Attorney
        • Contact Us
      • Voter Registration & Elections
        • About Us
        • Elections
        • Election Results
          • 2017
          • 2018
          • 2019
          • 2020
          • 2021
          • 2022
          • 2023
          • 2024
        • Voter Registration
        • Election Workers
        • Outreach
        • Board of Directors
          • Board Information
            • Board Meeting - Agendas and Minutes
            • Board Meetings - Agendas and Minutes - Prior Years
        • Early & Absentee Voting
    • Ordinances
      • Recently Approved Ordinances
    • Elected Offices
    • County ADA Compliance
    • Committees
      • Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee
      • Ad Hoc and Short Term Committees
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions - Prior Years
      • Administration and Finance Committee
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions - Prior Years
      • Animal Care Advisory Committee
      • Development and Services Committee
        • Agenda, Minutes & Actions - Prior Years
      • Discretionary Grant Fund Review Committee
      • Economic Development Committee
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions - Prior Years
      • Employee Grievance Committee
      • Hospitality Tax Advisory Committee
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions
      • Internal Audit Committee
      • Nulla Bona Committee
      • Rules and Appointments Committee
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions - Prior Years
      • Transportation Penny Advisory Committee
        • Agendas & Minutes
        • Agendas & Minutes - Prior Years
    • Commissions
      • Airport Commission
        • Agendas & Minutes
        • Agendas & Minutes - Prior Years
      • Conservation Commission
        • Agendas & Minutes
        • Agendas & Minutes - Prior Years
        • Commission Members
        • Commission News
        • Natural Resources
          • Natural Resource Grants
          • Conservation Easements
          • Richland County Trail Map
          • Projects
        • Historic Preservation
          • Cemeteries
          • Historic Preservation Grants
          • Bailey Bill
          • Historic Site Inventory
          • Architectural Surveys
          • Projects
          • Historical Markers
        • Partners
      • Convention Center Commission
      • East Richland Public Service Commission
      • Music Festival Commission
      • Richland County Recreation Commission
      • Riverbanks Park Commission
      • Elections Commission
      • Planning Commission
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions - Prior Years
  • Visitors

    Visitors

    Part rustic natural beauty, part vibrant city scene - Richland County offers something for everyone!

    Find out more
  • About Richland County
  • Careers
  • News
  • Events
  • Contact Us
  • FOIA
Menu Search

One-Call Response Center 24 Hours (803) 929-6000

Welcome to the Online Business Service Center!

The Business Service Center administers the Business License, Local Accommodations Tax, and Hospitality Tax ordinances for Richland County. A business license is required by any person or entity prior to conducting business within unincorporated Richland County. This license is based on business activity and gross receipts.

Thank you for doing business in Richland County; we appreciate your business.  Your business helps make Richland County a great place to live, work, and visit.   

Starting a New Business?

Thinking of starting a new business?  Check out Richland County's "Starting a New Business" webpage for more information.

Business Licenses: Online Calculations and Renewals

Renew online to save $10, save time, and ensure payment accuracy and delivery.

All County business licenses expire on April 30th; the deadline to renew without penalties is April 30th.   

Click Check Your Calculations to verify your renewal fee calculations.

To renew online, click Online Renewal. You will need the Business ID and Location ID (which can be found on the renewal application or current business license), and the FEIN/SSN will be needed.  

New businesses, opening last year, are not able to check calculations or begin the renewal process online the first year. Instructions for these businesses will be provided through email during January of each year.

Online Renewal Instructions:

1. Calculating or Renewing Business Licenses Online (Instructions)

Paper Renewal Form Instructions (2023 License Renewal):

1. Summary (Section 1)
2. Exemptions and Deductions (Section 2) 2023 Deductions Worksheet
3. Calculations (Section 3)
4. Decals (Section 4)
5. First Time Renewal (Section 5 - also provided to these businesses by email)
6. Closed Business (Section 6 - also see Closing Form)
7. Requirements and Certifications (Section 7)

To submit Deductions for consideration, use the Deductions Worksheet spreadsheet. (The Deductions Worksheet MUST be submitted at the same time as the business license application to be considered.  

Hospitality Taxes

 - Now able to pay online!  Richland County is pleased to inform the business community that Richland County Hospitality Taxes may now be paid online.  The credit cards accepted include Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.  There is a $1.00 plus 1.7% transaction fee to pay online.  Click here to pay online or obtain your paper vouchers today.  (You will need your Hospitality Tax # and the FEIN/SSN that we have on file for your business.)

- To notify our office of change of information, such as change of contact, change of ownership, or change of location, please complete and email back an Update Form.

- For more information, click here to go to the County's Hospitality Tax webpage.

Local Accommodations Taxes - Paying Online

Businesses providing short-term accommodations can now pay the County's Local Accommodations Taxes Online.  (You will need your business license number and the FEIN/SSN that we have on file for your business.)

Richland County Business Handbook 

The Business Service Center updated the Richland County Business Handbook. This easy-to-read Business Handbook describes the County’s various requirements to do business in Richland County. The County strongly urges all businesses - and their bookkeepers or accountants - to be familiar with these requirements to help ensure they are operating lawfully.

General Information

Forms

County Codes

Dates & Deadlines

New!  What you need to know about DBA's ("Doing Business As," fictitious names, trade names)

 

Other Information

Find What City Your Business Is In (or no city limits at all)

Find Your NAICS Code

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Used Terms

Regulatory Information Guides

Resources

Doing Business with Richland County

Looking for a Licensed Contractor?

Whenever you are having work done on your home, it is always a good idea to make sure that any contractor you use is properly licensed by the State and by the County BEFORE they start work. There are several places to look for licensed contractors.

  1. The State Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation is the State agency that licenses contractors. If you are looking for a residential contractor, you may select either "Contractors - Commercial" or "Residential Builders" from the drop-down list, and enter the company's name or the owner's name.
  2. The Better Business Bureau, which has an Accredited Business Directory online, is another good place to check out a company.
  3. The Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, which has a searchable Business Directory online, is yet another good place to look for a company.

Confused about Sales Tax Rates?

Knowing how much sales taxes to charge can be tricky.  There are different kinds of taxes, charged in different situations, and different rates in different jurisdictions.  Please see the Sales and Use Tax Chart showing the sales tax rates for different types of purchases in Richland County. 

If you have questions about the local Hospitality Tax or the Local Accommodations Tax, please contact our office at bsc@richlandcountysc.gov or at 803-576-2287.

If you have questions about the Transportation Penny Tax, please e-mail transportationpenny@richlandcountysc.gov or call 803-766-5605.

If you have specific questions about the State sales tax or the State Accommodations Tax please call the State Department of Revenue Sales Tax Division at 803-896-1420.

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Requests

All FOIA requests should be submitted in writing to the Richland County Ombudsman's Office by mail at PO Box 192, Columbia, SC 29202 or by e-mail at Ombudsman@richlandcountysc.gov.  

Please be advised - S.C. law provides that it is a crime to knowingly obtain or use personal information from a public body for commercial solicitation.

Contact

Location:
1st floor of the County Administration Building
2020 Hampton Street, Suite 1050 (just inside the back door)
corner of Hampton and Harden Streets
- free parking is available in the parking lot behind the building

Contact information:
Mailing address: P.O. Box 192, Columbia, SC 29202

Phone:    (803) 576-2287
Fax:         (803) 576-2289
E-mail:     bsc@richlandcountysc.gov
Website:   www.richlandcountysc.gov/bsc

Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM

If you would like to anonymously report unlicensed businesses, please contact the Richland County Ombudsman's Office at 803-929-6000 or at Ombudsman@richlandcountysc.gov. 

here

Have a question or concern?

Contact the Ombudsman
One-Call Response Center

  • Call: (803) 929-6000
  • Email: ombudsman
  Search

Government

  • Advisory Councils
  • Boards
  • County Council
  • Courts and Judicial System
  • Departments
    • Department Directory
    • Animal Care
    • Budget and Grants Management
    • Building Codes & Inspections
    • Business Operations
    • Community Development
    • Conservation
    • Executive
    • Health & Social Services
    • Government and Community Services
    • Grants
    • Legislative
    • Licensing & Registration
      • Animal Care
      • Business Service Center
        • BSC Online Services
        • Proposed Bag Ordinance
      • Marriage License Inquiry
      • Planning & Development
      • Register of Deeds
    • OSBO
    • Planning & Development
    • Public Information Office
    • Public Safety
    • Public Works
    • Taxes
    • Transportation Penny
    • Utilities
    • Voter Registration & Elections
  • Ordinances
  • Elected Offices
  • County ADA Compliance
  • Committees
  • Commissions

Find My District

Stay on top of issues affecting your area. District hearings, school closings, voting locations and more!

Get Started
Emergency Preparedness
Captcha
  • Home
    • About Richland County
    • Careers
    • News
    • Events
    • Contact Us
    • FOIA
  • Residents
    • Engage Richland
    • Education
    • Health & Social Services
    • Libraries
    • Public Safety
    • Vector Control
    • Housing
    • Information for Residents
    • Emergency Preparedness
  • Businesses
    • Doing Business with Richland County
    • Running a Business
    • Starting a Business
    • Procurement & Contracting
    • Office of Small Business Opportunity (OSBO)
  • Government
    • Advisory Councils
    • Boards
    • County Council
    • Courts and Judicial System
    • Departments
    • Ordinances
    • Elected Offices
    • County ADA Compliance
    • Committees
    • Commissions
  • Visitors

Richland County
South Carolina

Mailing Address
2020 Hampton Street
P.O. Box 192
Columbia, SC 29201

Physical Address
2020 Hampton Street
Columbia, SC 29204

One-Call Response Center
24 Hours (803) 929-6000

ombudsman@richlandcountysc.gov

More Information

  • Richland County ADA Compliance
  • Title VI Public Participation Plan
  • Legal Disclaimer
  • Privacy Disclaimer
  • Sitemap

Follow us

Follow @RichlandSC

© Richland County, S.C. | Website by Cyberwoven