Town of Mount Pleasant business licence — including home-based businesses

Business License Division, phone (843) 849-2786. Business License Official: Joy McBride, jmcbride@tompsc.com. Apply through the Town's Online Permitting & Licensing (OPAL) portal; renewals also run through localblrenewal.com. THE REQUIREMENT, in the Town's own words: "Every person or entity engaged or intending to engage in business is required to obtain a license based on business activity and gross receipts." That language is not limited to storefronts, so it reaches a business run from a house. TIMING: an initial licence must be obtained BEFORE operations begin. Annual renewal is due APRIL 30. If the business sells prepared meals or beverages, the Town's 2% hospitality tax is remitted monthly by the 20th. FEE: the Town sets the fee by business activity class and gross receipts under its Business License Rate Schedule (Appendix A to the business licence ordinance). The Town does not publish a single flat figure, and no figure is estimated here — call (843) 849-2786 with your activity type and projected gross receipts for the exact amount. ZONING SIDE: Chapter 156 of the Town's Zoning Code governs the use itself, at § 156.450 HOME-BASED BUSINESS, which defines a home-based business as "an occupation, profession, or trade customarily carried on by an occupant in a dwelling unit or accessory structure as a secondary use, which is clearly incidental to the dwelling unit for residential purposes." It sets out four types; a "home office" — no employees on the premises other than residents, and no customers or clients visiting — is permitted in all districts where residential dwellings are allowed. Conditions applying to all four types, quoted from § 156.450: no merchandise displayed for advertising or visible from outside the dwelling or stored other than inside a building; "There is no alteration of the residential character of the building or premises"; regular deliveries come from carriers that typically serve residences such as FedEx, UPS or DHL; and the occupation "is licensed by the town and any other applicable regulatory agency." The section also provides that a property holding an approved short-term rental permit shall not have this type of home-based business, and exempts product sales tied to private social events (direct-sales home parties) and yard sales. Two offices, two questions: the Business License Division for the licence, and Planning/Zoning for whether the specific activity fits § 156.450 at that address. Ask them, in that order, before advertising.