Noah Vinter
Alcohol licensing in South Carolina is a state-administered process, with licenses being issued by the South Carolina liquor board. The type of license required depends on the business, the type of alcohol to be sold, the premises, and the days of sale. Licenses are divided into three main categories: retail, wholesale, and manufacturing/importing. There are 27 types of alcoholic beverage licenses in South Carolina, with the most common being Beer & Wine Permits, Liquor Licenses, Special Events, and Food. The cost of a liquor license in South Carolina ranges from $300 to $1000, and the process can take anywhere from 40 days to six months.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| License Cost | $300 - $1000 |
| Time Taken | 40 days to six months |
| Requirements | State-issued ID, Driver's License, or Passport; Copy of Conditional Use Permit; Proof of Funds; Business Plan; Compliance with Local Alcohol Laws |
| Advertisement Requirements | Notice in the legal section of a local newspaper, once a week for three consecutive weeks, stating the type of license and exact location of the business |
| License Categories | Beer & Wine Permits, Liquor Licenses, Special Events, Food, Retail Licenses, Wholesale Licenses, Manufacturing/Importing Licenses |
| Special Licenses | Nonprofit (Private Club) Liquor by the Drink (PLC), Professional Sports Venue (PSV), Retail Liquor Store (PRL), 7-Day Off-Premises Beer & Wine (P7B) License |
| Additional Taxes | 5% excise tax for restaurants or bars selling liquor by the drink; 6% sales tax for wholesalers or distributors; Sales Tax License for retail dealers of alcoholic beverages |
| Additional Requirements for Temporary Licenses | Established for at least 30 days before applying for the license; Good moral character with no criminal history; No delinquent taxes, penalties, or interest owed |
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What You'll Learn
Application requirements
To obtain an alcohol license in South Carolina, you must go through the South Carolina liquor board approval process. The type of license you need depends on your business, the liquor you sell, the type of premises you operate, the days you want to sell alcohol, and more.
- You must be at least 21 years old, a legal citizen of the United States, and a legal resident of South Carolina for at least 30 days before submitting your application.
- You must be the owner of the business and comply with local zoning laws, which vary depending on the town or city. For example, your establishment must be at least 300 feet from a church, school, or playground.
- You will need to show a state-issued ID, a driver's license, or a passport.
- You will need a copy of your conditional use permit or a receipt showing your application has been submitted, which can be obtained from a city or county planning department.
- You may need to show proof of the source of your funds, including bank statements, loan papers, financial statements, gift letters, real estate papers, etc.
- You must notify the public about your business's intent to secure a liquor license, usually by posting a sign visibly on the premises.
- You must place an advertisement in a newspaper once a week for three consecutive weeks in the proposed area your business will be located. The advertisement must be in the form of a notice, placed in the legal notices section, be a column-wide, at least two inches deep with large type, and state the type of license and the exact location of the business.
- If you are a wholesaler or distributor, such as a liquor store, you will pay a sales tax of 6%. Any retail dealer of alcoholic beverages that participates in retail sales must also apply for a sales tax license.
- If you are applying for a temporary license for a nonprofit, the application should come from a Board Chair or Executive Director, and the organization must meet specific requirements.
- If you have lived in South Carolina for less than two years, you must submit a criminal records check from your previous state of residency. If you have lived in the state for two years or more, submit a South Carolina criminal records check.
- You must know your organization's FEIN number to apply for an alcohol license.
- Unless you are a Sole Proprietorship, the organization applying for the license must be registered with the SC Secretary of State for at least 30 days before applying.
- You must provide your Retail Sales Tax License number, and if you plan to charge admission to your event, you must also submit your Admission Tax License number.
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Application processing time
The time it takes to process an alcohol license application in South Carolina varies. It can take anywhere from 30 to 120 days, but in some cases, it can take up to 175 days or longer. To be safe, it is recommended to start the application process 4-6 months before the planned opening of the business.
The South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) typically takes six to eight weeks to process applications. However, some applicants have received their licenses earlier than this timeframe, depending on how quickly they respond to any requested calls or correspondences.
There are several factors that can impact the processing time. For example, applicants need to obtain a local permit option prior to filing the application, and they must publish in the newspaper for several weeks. While none of these are overwhelming tasks, slip-ups can cause delays in the process.
Additionally, the type of license being applied for can influence the processing time. There are several different types of alcohol licenses and permits in South Carolina, including retail licenses, wholesale licenses, manufacturing/importing licenses, and individual permits for businesses manufacturing, distributing, and selling beer and wine. Within these categories, there are numerous specific licenses, such as the 7-day on-premise beer and wine permit, the brewpub permit, and the Sunday/Sabbath beer and wine permit, each with its own requirements and processing times.
Furthermore, applicants should be aware of the common reasons for license denial to avoid missteps that could prolong the process. These include being too close to a church, school, or playground; issues with moral character and background checks; and evidence that the location is not suitable or is already saturated with alcohol licenses.
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Types of liquor licenses
To obtain an alcohol license in South Carolina, you must go through the South Carolina liquor board approval process. The type of liquor license you need depends on your business, the liquor you sell, the type of premises you operate, and the days you want to sell alcohol.
South Carolina's liquor licenses are divided into three main categories: retail licenses, wholesale licenses, and manufacturing/importing licenses. There are 27 types of alcoholic beverage licenses in total, but the six most common are outlined below.
- Beer & Wine Permits — Costing $300 per application, this permit is required to sell beer or wine in the state.
- Liquor Licenses — This license costs $200 per application and permits the sale of liquor.
- Special Events — This license is for one-day events and costs $45 per day. Any event beyond 11:59 PM incurs an additional day's fee.
- Food — Restaurants serving alcohol in South Carolina must have a Grade A Restaurant License.
- Nonprofit (Private Club) Liquor by the Drink (PLC) — This license permits the sale and consumption of alcohol within private clubs that are nonprofits chartered by the South Carolina Secretary of State's Office. Private clubs cannot serve alcohol to the public.
- Professional Sports Venue (PSV) — This license permits the sale of wine, liquor, and beer for consumption at professional sports venues, including soccer and baseball stadiums, the Credit One Tennis Facility, and Darlington Raceway.
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Costs and fees
Obtaining an alcohol license in South Carolina involves various costs and fees. Firstly, there is the cost of the license itself, which can vary depending on the type of license required and the location of the business. In South Carolina, retail alcohol licenses fall into four main categories: Beer & Wine Permits, Liquor Licenses, Special Events, and Food. The cost of these licenses can range from $300 to $1000, with some licenses having a tiered pricing structure based on the population of the city, while others have a flat fee. For example, a 7-Day Off-Premises Beer & Wine (P7B) License is required if you want to sell beer and wine to-go seven days a week.
In addition to the license cost, there are other fees associated with the application process. When applying for a liquor license in South Carolina, you must notify the public about your business's intention to secure a liquor license, typically by displaying a sign on the premises and advertising in a local newspaper. This advertisement must be placed in the legal notices section of the newspaper, with specific dimensions and content requirements, and it must run once a week for three consecutive weeks. These newspaper advertisements can incur costs, depending on the publication.
Furthermore, certain licenses may require additional permits, such as a Sales Tax License, which has an application fee of $50. If you are applying for a temporary alcohol license, you may also need an Admissions Tax License if you are charging admission to your event. There may also be costs associated with obtaining the necessary documentation for your application, such as a Criminal Records Check, which costs $26 for South Carolina residents, with a reduced fee of $8 for eligible charitable organizations.
It is important to note that the costs and fees mentioned above may not be exhaustive, and there could be additional expenses depending on the specific circumstances of your business and the type of alcohol license being sought in South Carolina.
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Compliance and renewal
Once your license is approved, you must ensure strict compliance with local alcohol laws. This includes age verification procedures to prevent serving minors. You must also adhere to other regulatory requirements related to alcohol sales and handling. The South Carolina Liquor Commission plays a critical role in enforcing compliance with the state's alcohol laws and investigating violations. They are responsible for issuing liquor licenses and ensuring that businesses follow all alcohol-related laws to maintain public safety.
Many jurisdictions require you to renew your liquor license annually. It is important to stay up-to-date with these requirements to avoid penalties or the risk of losing your license. The SC Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission may inspect your business during the renewal process to ensure compliance with alcohol-related regulations. They will verify that your business continues to follow the state's rules for selling alcohol and meets all necessary regulatory requirements.
If you fail to renew your liquor license on time, the state may impose late fees, or your license may be suspended. To avoid these issues, submit your renewal application well before the deadline. The renewal process can be complex, so some business owners choose to work with a liquor attorney. A liquor attorney can help you understand local and state regulations, handle paperwork, and represent your business in hearings if necessary.
The cost of a liquor license in South Carolina ranges from $300 to $1000, depending on the type of license and the size of the business. Some licenses have a tiered pricing structure based on the population of the city, while others have a flat fee. Obtaining a liquor license requires careful planning and attention to state regulations, and operating without a valid license can result in heavy fines, business shutdowns, and legal penalties.
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