When opening a restaurant in South Carolina, you’ll need to get a variety of food licenses and permits. Three of the most important permits that let you sell food to your community include the food handlers license, food facility health permit, and seller’s permit.
- Food Handlers License: Ensures that employees are certified in food preparation and handling procedures to prevent foodborne illness.
- Food Facility Health Permit: Ensures that the restaurant space is set up to keep patrons and employees safe.
- Seller’s Permit: Registers the restaurant to collect sales tax on food and drinks.
- Retail food establishments pay an initial permit fee of $100 plus the applicable annual inspection fee.
- Licensing costs for food trucks in South Carolina range from $50 to $500, depending on the city.
- Make sure to be aware of when the license expires and steps to renew it.
- Some cities restrict the number of mobile food vendor licenses, with new vendors even having to enter a lottery to receive one.
- A food truck based in Richland County and conducting business in Columbia would need both a Richland County business license and a City of Columbia business license.
- In India, a food registration certificate is mandatory for food business operators with an annual income of up to 12 lakhs. The application should be processed within 30 days.
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In South Carolina, a business needs a local business license, a Department of Health and Environmental Control permit, and a mobile food vending permit. Health permits must be renewed yearly. Laws also require a commissary for storing the food truck when not in operation, and trucks cannot park in residential or non-commercial areas.
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Vendors can apply for either a Seasonal or Full Term mobile vending license. Retail licensing costs $50 in South Carolina, with costs varying for other licenses like sales, manufacturing, and liquor licenses depending on the business type. Acquiring the necessary licenses and permits can be exhausting, but they are essential for legal operation. It’s best to start the process early to pave the way for success. Retail licenses are typically issued within two to three days after submitting an online application.