Business Licenses
Business License Renewal Notice: Renewal notices and application forms for 2022 were mailed in mid-March. Renewal applications for 2022 business licenses must be received no later than May 16, 2022. Applications received after May 16, 2022 are subject to a late penalty of 5% per month.
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Every person or entity engaged in (or intending to engage in) any calling, business, occupation or profession in whole or in part within the town limits of Seabrook Island is required to obtain an annual business license and pay an annual tax for the privilege of doing business within the town. A “business” is defined as any "calling, occupation, profession or activity engaged in with the object of gain, benefit or advantage, either directly or indirectly."
A license is required for all new businesses (including home occupations, rental properties and non-resident contractors) prior to operating in the Town of Seabrook Island. A new or updated license is also required when there is a change to an existing business's ownership or principal place of business. Businesses operating without a required license may be subject to a fine of up to $500.00 per day. Business License TaxThe annual business license tax is based upon a business's rate classification (Classes 1 through 9.2) as well as its gross income from the previous year. Anticipated income is acceptable for new businesses and contractors; provided, however, a license must be updated if actual income exceeds the amount upon which the license is based.
License Year & RenewalsThe town's business license year runs from May 1st through April 30th. Renewal notices are mailed to all existing businesses on an annual basis.
Business licenses must be renewed by April 30th of each calendar year. Licenses which are not renewed by April 30th will be subject to a late penalty of five percent (5%) per month. Late penalties are in addition to the standard license tax. Rental PropertiesEffective July 21, 2018, all owners or agents placing advertisements offering a residential unit in the Town of Seabrook Island for rent or lease shall clearly display the current business license number for that residential unit in the text of such advertisement. Click here for more information on advertising requirements for rental properties.
Effective January 1, 2021, all residential dwellings which are rented or leased (or offered for rent or lease) as an overnight accommodation for periods of less than 30 consecutive days will be required to obtain an annual Short-Term Rental (STR) Permit. Please note that STR Permit applications must be submitted with the Business License application. For STR permitting requirements and application forms, please click here. Contractor DecalsCommercial vehicles are required to display a town business license decal at all times. New decals are issued each year to businesses with a valid town business license. Decals are for identification purposes only and do not provide access behind the Seabrook Island Property Owners Association (SIPOA) security gate.
Contractor Insurance RequirementsEffective November 17, 2020, contractors and subcontractors (Class 8.1 businesses) are no longer required to provide insurance documentation in order to obtain or renew a town business license.
SIPOA Gate AccessA town business license does not grant commercial access behind the Seabrook Island Property Owners Association (SIPOA) private security gate. For information about obtaining a commercial pass, please contact SIPOA by phone at (843) 768-0061 or by email at commercialaccess@sipoa.org.
For more information, please visit SIPOA Commercial Resources. |
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