Responsibilities

The Department of Revenue Collections (formerly known as Business License User Fee Department) collects revenues totaling more than $59 million per year in the form of fees for accommodations, business licenses, hospitality, stormwater, solid waste disposal and hazardous material services. This Department also files legal actions against delinquent accounts and maintains bankruptcy files.

  • Collect accommodations fees for Charleston County and other municipalities
  • Enforce and collect fees for business licenses for Charleston County and for the municipalities of North Charleston, Folly Beach, Rockville, McCellanville, Awendaw, James Island and Lincolnville
  • Assess, bill and collect fees for the disposal of residential and commercial solid waste and for the pickup and processing of recyclables
  • Bill for and collect fees from businesses and industries for operation of the County's Hazardous Materials Division
  • Maintain all bankruptcy files involving funds owed to Charleston County
  • File legal actions against delinquent accounts and for non-compliance to collect unpaid fees
  • Work with the Planning Department on zoning issues
  • Collect hospitality payments for the municipalities of North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Sullivan's Island, James Island and Folly Beach
  • Collect stormwater fees

Contact

Revenue Collections

Lonnie Hamilton, III, Public Services Building

Phone: (843) 202-6080

Fax: (843) 202-6066

Office Hours: M – F | 8:30AM – 5PM


Online Services


Divisions

Business License Ordinances

Listed below are links to the Business License Ordinances for the County and several municipalities. These ordinance are all administered by Charleston County's Revenue Collections Department.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Please see additional questions on the Charleston County Tax FAQs page.

Answer:The solid waste disposal fee covers the cost of disposing of household garbage and commercial waste.

The fee also covers the costs of picking up, sorting and processing recyclable materials. While not all residents receive curbside recycling pickup service, drop sites are available to all County residents.

Answer:According to County ordinance, "Every person engaged or intending to engage in any calling, business, occupation or profession..." If one realizes any income from a business activity, excluding employment by others who hold business licenses, that person is required to purchase a license.

Answer:To receive a first-time license, go to the Business License Office at the Charleston County Public Services Building.

Once you have obtained your initial license, visit the Charleston County, South Carolina Revenue Collections Online Portal to renew it with your Visa or MasterCard.

You may also mail your renewal application and payment.

Fill in all required information, including gross receipts, any deductions and the calculated license fee. You must sign and date the application.

Send payments to:

Attn: Charleston County Business License Department,

Answer:The license renewal form and fees are due by April 30th of each year.

April 30th is the last day to renew without penalties. If payment is received after this date, a 5 percent per month penalty will be assessed on the license fee due.

Answer:There are zoning regulations required for new businesses and a zoning permit must be obtained before a new license may be issued.

You may contact the Zoning & Planning Department for more details.

Answer:After your payment has been processed, we will mail your license receipt for payment to the mailing address indicated on your account.