Business License Department

Any business physically located within the town of Bluffton is required to have a business license. Additionally, any business that is located outside of the town of Bluffton, but comes into the town to do business, is also required to have a business license.

To verify if your business or your client's home/business is within the Town of Bluffton, visit Bluffton Explorer.

For commercial building locations within the Town of Bluffton, the following apply:

• Building Permit, Addressing and Zoning Approval are required.
• Will you be changing the existing signage, or erecting a new sign?  You must have a sign permit before you can erect or make changes to any signs at your address
• Please contact the Customer Service Center to obtain the required approvals necessary to open your business.  This is a very important step that must be done.  A Certificate of Occupancy (for new or improved buildings) will be issued when a building permit is completed.  After the building has been certified for your intended use, proceed to step 2.
  • Customer Service Center - Building Safety Division
    Theodore D. Washington Municipal Building
    20 Bridge Street
    Bluffton, SC 29910
    (843)706-4522

For residential locations within the Town of Bluffton the following apply:

• A Home Occupation Application is required.  The land owner or lease agent must also sign the application.

Have you applied for your Federal Tax Id number?  https://www.irs.gov/businesses

• Corporations and partnerships require a Federal Tax Id number.  Sole Proprietors may use their Social Security Number.

Have you applied for all appropriate State Licensing? (You must provide copies of all applicable State Licensing for the type of business you are conducting).

• Will you be selling inventory?
  • State Retail License - https://dor.sc.gov/
• Will your business include preparing foods?
  • DHEC - https://www.scdhec.gov/FoodSafety/FoodServiceIndustry/Permits/ApplicationForms/
• Will you be selling alcohol?
  • ABL License - https://dor.sc.gov/tax/abl
• Will your business be in the construction trade?
  • SC LLR Licensing - http://www.llr.sc.gov/

Prepare Your Town of Bluffton Business License Application

Prepare your Town of Bluffton New Business License Application. (En español)  If you are a restaurant or bar a Supplemental Business License Application is also required. You must pay all required license fees when applying.  Acceptable forms of payment: Cash, check, money order or credit card.

• Customer Service Center - Business License
  Theodore D. Washington Municipal Building
  20 Bridge Street, Bluffton, SC 29910

The division phone number is (843)706-4501. You must pay all license fees when you apply.

Applicant Must Provide The Following:

• Information for applicants and/or stockholders/corporation officers
• Business Address
• Telephone Numbers

A Business License will be issued once all items and approvals are secured. All Licenses are renewable annually.

Town Ordinances are available online at:  https://www2.municode.com/library/sc/bluffton/codes/code_of_ordinances

If you are not operating a physical location in the Town of Bluffton, please also check with the town or County where you plan to operate from.

Business License Application - Spanish

Universal (MASC) Business License Application

Mobile Vendor License Application

Old Town Business Directional Sign Application

Hospitality Tax Payment Coupons

Accommodations Tax Payment Coupons