# Vendor event permits in Charleston, SC

To run a vendor market in Charleston, the organizer applies for a Special Event Permit through the city's online portal 60 to 120 days ahead, and event vendors each need a City of Charleston business license. Food vendors are authorized by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture, and vendors need a South Carolina Retail License.

_Sources checked 2026-10-11. Not legal or tax advice; confirm with each agency._

## For the organizer: Event permit

### Special Event Permit (with or without road blocking)
Applications go through the Customer Self Service (CSS) portal and the Special Events Committee reviews them. A detailed site plan and emergency action plan are required, and depending on the event the organizer may also submit a food and retail vendor list, liability insurance, a traffic control plan and an alcohol license. Police and EMS off-duty staffing may be required.
- Who: organizer
- From: City of Charleston Special Events Committee (Office of Livability and Tourism)
- When: Pre-planned events on public property, including streets, sidewalks, trails, parks or other city-managed property that significantly affect public property or traffic; festivals, parades, races and commercial for-profit events are listed
- Fee: Non-refundable application fee that depends on anticipated attendance (see the city's Special Event Fee Schedule)
- Timing: 60 days before for events under 500 people; 90 days for 501 to 1,000; 120 days for more than 1,000
- Official page: https://www.charleston-sc.gov/875/Special-Event-Permits

## For vendors: Vendor and business licenses

### Special Event Vendor business license
Every special event vendor must obtain a City of Charleston business license for events inside the city. Apply through the CSS portal, by mail or at the Permit Center. Annual fees depend on gross income and business class, and licenses expire each April 30.
- Who: vendors
- From: City of Charleston Budget, Finance and Revenue Collections (Revenue Collections Division)
- When: Vendors who set up a booth or area at a festival, parade or exposition to sell goods or services at events within city limits
- Official page: https://www.charleston-sc.gov/142/Special-Event-Vendors

## For vendors: Sales tax

### Retail License
Sellers register through MyDORWAY, collect the 6% statewide sales tax plus any local taxes, and file returns. SCDOR says selling without a valid license can bring fines up to $500 per occurrence. Unprepared food meant to be eaten at home is generally exempt from the state tax, while meals and drinks for immediate consumption are taxable.
- Who: vendors
- From: South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR)
- When: Anyone selling at a retail event (no admission fee), selling more than once in 24 months at a special event, or selling at one festival a year; one license per location
- Fee: $50 non-refundable fee
- Official page: https://dor.sc.gov/tax-education/guides-flyers/events-festivals

### Artist & Craftsman License
This license lets craft-show-only sellers collect the 6% statewide tax plus local taxes. Anyone who also sells elsewhere, including online, needs the Retail License instead, and sellers at no more than four shows a year of 11 consecutive days or less may need neither.
- Who: vendors
- From: South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR)
- When: Artists and crafters who sell only at craft shows and festivals, products they created or assembled, more than four times in a fiscal year
- Fee: $20 non-refundable fee
- Official page: https://dor.sc.gov/tax-education/guides-flyers/events-festivals

### Special Event Return (FC-1) and Special Event Affidavit (FS-152)
One-time special event sellers do not need a Retail License but must complete and submit the Special Event Return and Affidavit. SCDOR representatives provide the forms at the event; sellers who have not received them by the end of the event are told to email SCDOR.
- Who: vendors
- From: South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR)
- When: Vendors who sell at a Special Event (an event that charges admission) only once in a 24-month period
- Official page: https://dor.sc.gov/tax-education/guides-flyers/events-festivals

## For vendors: Food vendors

### Event authorization for temporary food service establishments
SCDA authorizes food vendors at events through the event coordinator, who completes the Event Authorization application listing the vendors and foods served, and receives SCDA authorization before food service begins. Vendors must follow Regulation 61-25 and SCDA may inspect during the event or order vendors to stop.
- Who: organizer and vendors
- From: South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA), Retail Food Safety
- When: Food vendors at a fair, trade show or other transitory gathering, operating at a fixed location up to 14 consecutive days
- Timing: Applications recommended 14 days in advance of the event
- Official page: https://agriculture.sc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/RFEEventAuthorizationApplication2025.pdf

## What the rules ask of organizers about vendors

SCDOR asks promoters and hosts to email it a list of participating vendors (name, business name, address, phone, email and Retail License number if provided) plus the event location, date and time, and whether the event charges admission. Vendors selling without a valid Retail License can be fined, and SCDOR provides a Retail License verification tool. (https://dor.sc.gov/tax-education/guides-flyers/events-festivals)

## Where the sources are unclear

- The Special Event Fee Schedule and the off-duty police rates are separate documents that were not read; the fee for the permit application is not stated here.
- No Charleston page read gives a fire marshal tent or cooking permit rule for events; ask the Fire Marshal's office about tents and propane.
- The business license page states annual fees depend on gross income and NAICS-based rate class but does not give a figure for a single-event vendor; contact Revenue Collections at 843-724-3711.
- SCDA's event authorization forms state no fee. The retail food safety pages and 2025-2026 forms read are SCDA's; older DHEC pages on temporary retail food establishments may still appear in search results, so use the SCDA forms.
- The SCDOR events page says the Retail License is needed if you sell at only one festival per year at a retail event; the Special Event Return route applies only to admission-charging special events.

## Questions

**Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in Charleston?**

Special Event Permit (with or without road blocking) (City of Charleston Special Events Committee (Office of Livability and Tourism)): Applications go through the Customer Self Service (CSS) portal and the Special Events Committee reviews them. A detailed site plan and emergency action plan are required, and depending on the event the organizer may also submit a food and retail vendor list, liability insurance, a traffic control plan and an alcohol license. Police and EMS off-duty staffing may be required.

**Do vendors need a license to sell at events in Charleston?**

Special Event Vendor business license (City of Charleston Budget, Finance and Revenue Collections (Revenue Collections Division)): Every special event vendor must obtain a City of Charleston business license for events inside the city. Apply through the CSS portal, by mail or at the Permit Center. Annual fees depend on gross income and business class, and licenses expire each April 30.

**Who handles sales tax at a market in Charleston?**

Retail License (South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR)): Sellers register through MyDORWAY, collect the 6% statewide sales tax plus any local taxes, and file returns. SCDOR says selling without a valid license can bring fines up to $500 per occurrence. Unprepared food meant to be eaten at home is generally exempt from the state tax, while meals and drinks for immediate consumption are taxable. Artist & Craftsman License (South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR)): This license lets craft-show-only sellers collect the 6% statewide tax plus local taxes. Anyone who also sells elsewhere, including online, needs the Retail License instead, and sellers at no more than four shows a year of 11 consecutive days or less may need neither. For organizers: SCDOR asks promoters and hosts to email it a list of participating vendors (name, business name, address, phone, email and Retail License number if provided) plus the event location, date and time, and whether the event charges admission. Vendors selling without a valid Retail License can be fined, and SCDOR provides a Retail License verification tool.

**Do food vendors need a separate permit in Charleston?**

Event authorization for temporary food service establishments (South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA), Retail Food Safety): SCDA authorizes food vendors at events through the event coordinator, who completes the Event Authorization application listing the vendors and foods served, and receives SCDA authorization before food service begins. Vendors must follow Regulation 61-25 and SCDA may inspect during the event or order vendors to stop.

**How far ahead should I apply in Charleston?**

Special Event Permit (with or without road blocking): 60 days before for events under 500 people; 90 days for 501 to 1,000; 120 days for more than 1,000 Event authorization for temporary food service establishments: Applications recommended 14 days in advance of the event

## Sources

- https://www.charleston-sc.gov/875/Special-Event-Permits
- https://www.charleston-sc.gov/3106/Special-Event-Permit-Application-Resourc
- https://www.charleston-sc.gov/142/Special-Event-Vendors
- https://www.charleston-sc.gov/134/Business-License-Information
- https://dor.sc.gov/tax-education/guides-flyers/events-festivals
- https://dor.sc.gov/businesses/apply-business-tax-account/licensing-retail-license
- https://agriculture.sc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/RFEEventAuthorizationApplication2025.pdf
- https://agriculture.sc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/TempFoodServiceEstab2026.pdf

All cities: https://bzar.app/permits