Richland County business license renewal deadline is March 15

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Richland County businesses have until March 15 to renew their business licenses online or by mail.

With county facilities still closed because of COVID-19, licenses can be renewed at the county’s online business service center. Renewal forms may also be mailed to P.O. Box 192, Columbia, S.C., 29202.

The county recently mailed out renewal applications to about 10,000 businesses.

“Renewing online is especially helpful, for businesses and for staff, this year,” said Pam Davis, division manager for the county’s business service center, said in a news release. “The county’s closing will result in many more mailed renewal applications to review and process, requiring much more time to issue licenses to businesses.”

All county businesses licenses expired Dec. 31, and all businesses, including home-based ones, need a license to operate legally.  

Online renewals also offer business owners a $10 savings, a calculator, guidelines and a checklist.

“Instructions, complete with screenshots, have been developed and are now online to help eligible businesses be more comfortable with renewing online,” Davis said. 

New businesses can apply for licenses by mail now and will be able to apply online later this month. First-time renewals must be completed via email, and businesses will receive those applications early this month.

For more information, email bsc@richlandcountysc.gov or call 803-576-2287.