Business Owners

If you need general information regarding business licenses, please visit our Online Business Service Center.

I want to operate a home-based business

These requirements are specified in the Richland County Code of Ordinances Section 26-151-39.

Richland County allows certain types of businesses to operate within residences. However, certain conditions must be met before such a business is permitted to operate, described below.

1) The business owner must disclose, on a Restricted Covenants Statement, whether or not the property for which a business is being applied is restricted by a recorded covenant that prohibits the activity for which the Home Occupation Permit applies. No business will be authorized by the County to operate if the business would violate any such restrictive covenants.

2) Home occupations shall be conducted entirely within the principal dwelling or an accessory structure, if such accessory structure meets all setback requirements for a principal structure in the district in which it is located. Home occupations shall be clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling unit for residential purposes, and shall not change the outward appearance of the structure.

3) An area equal to not more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the floor area of the principal dwelling may be utilized for the home occupation. If the home occupation is housed in an accessory structure, the accessory structure can be no larger than twenty-five percent (25%) the gross floor area of the principal dwelling.

4) Only persons residing on the premises may be employed by the home occupation.

5) The home occupation shall not involve the retail sale of merchandise manufactured off the premises. No display of goods, products, services, merchandise, or any form of advertising shall be visible from outside the dwelling.

6) No outside storage shall be allowed in connection with any home occupation.

7) Instruction in music, dance, art or similar subjects shall be limited to four (4) students at a time.

8) No traffic shall be generated by the home occupation in greater volumes than would normally be expected in a residential neighborhood, and any parking need generated by the home occupation shall be provided for off street and other than in the front yard.

9) There are local regulations for signs for home-based businesses. These are found in Section 26-180 of the Richland County Land Development Code.

10) Approval becomes void upon a violation of any provision contained herein or termination of the applicant’s residency. The permission hereby granted is not transferable to any other resident, address, or other occupation.

For more information, please contact the Richland County Planning and Development Services Department at (803) 576-2180.

I am thinking about leasing an office space/commercial building

• Change of use - existing residential structure
  • check with zoning to determine if the proposed use is allowed
  • if you plan on making structural changes, plans and a permit will be required
• Change of use - existing commercial building
  • check with zoning to determine if the proposed use is allowed
  • if you plan on making structural changes, plans and a permit will be required