Business Development Guide

Helping small business owners and entrepreneurs pursue the American dream

Going Into Business

If you are thinking of starting a business of your own in the Myrtle Beach area, there are a few things to consider as you move forward. The Myrtle Beach Area has no single business license that will ensure compliance with the numerous state licenses, permits, and regulatory requirements. Additionally, your business may be subject to local and/or federal requirements. Simply knowing which agencies to contact for all of these permits can be a very confusing task for a new entrepreneur. Below are a few questions and answers to help you get started.

What type of business organization are you going to be or are you?

1. Find a list of different business structures, including Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, Corporation and Limited Liability Company. 
2. If you are not sure what type of business you will have or not sure of how to register your business, visit this business FAQ that will give you all the information needed to get started.

Where do I go to get my business license? If your business is located ...

1. within the city limits of Myrtle Beach 
2. within the city limits of North Myrtle Beach
3. within the city limits of Conway   
4. within the town limits of Surfside Beach
5. within the limits of Loris
6. in Horry County but not in any other municipality 

Do I need any other types of licenses or permits?

1. If you are in a certain profession, you may need an additional professional license, i.e., cosmetology, accountancy, real estate, etc. You can visit the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulations to see which professions need additional licenses and how to acquire them. 
2. You may need to apply for a retail license. Every person who engages in business in this state as a retailer must obtain a retail license before making any sales. The retail license must be obtained by all retailers, including those making infrequent sales in this state. To find out information on retail sales licenses and to apply visit South Carolina Department of Revenue. 
3. Depending on the business you may need other special licenses. 
4. If your business plans on selling or distributing alcohol, you will need an alcohol beverage license. 
5. Department of Health & Environmental Control (DHEC) requires some businesses to have food service permits. 

Specific tax liability for each type of business is different.

1. Information from Internal Revenue Services, including forms and kits that apply to federal taxes only.
2. Information on taxes collected for the state of South Carolina
3. Sales tax information across the state

Additional Resources

MBACC Small Business Resource Center – A collection of local and state business resources.

South Carolina Business One Stop – a one-stop information resource for starting, running, expanding and relocating business in SC.

How to Successfully Start a Business With the SCORE Startup Roadmap – The SCORE Startup Roadmap is the perfect tool to start the journey to your new business. A SCORE mentor can be your guide along the way.

List of Startup Resources – Bookmark this list of startup resources and return to it as you learn what it takes to run a business.

U.S. Small Business Administration Business Guide – Helping businesses start, grow and expand.