A Program to Provide Personal Assistance to Small Business in Choosing, Building or Expanding their Business Location
Phone: 803/329-5590
Fax: 803/329-7228
Email Us
If you are starting a small business and you think you have found a place that is suitable to put your small business, we would like to introduce you to the “Open for Business Program” provided by the Planning and Development Department. In our office we have trained staff that can explain what is needed to locate your business in an existing building. Our new Open for Business program features a comprehensive look at Zoning, Building, and fire regulations.
Our goal is to eliminate costly mistakes by letting you know up front what you need to do to get an approved Certificate of Occupancy or Zoning and Building Compliance Permit by performing a "feasibility" inspection. Starting a business is no easy task and there is so much to learn even if you have owned a business in the past. So before you think about signing a lease or purchasing a piece of property make sure the place is feasible for what you want to use it for and that you are familiar with all Zoning, Building, Fire, and any other State or Federal requirements needed to run your business.
The following links provide an overview of the some the code regulations our staff can help you with:
• Zoning Regulations
• Building and Fire Regulations
In preparation for your appointment, we ask that you complete the Zoning and Building Compliance form answering as many questions as you can. The realtor or leasing agent for your potential location should be able to provide most of the information required about your proposed business location. Of course you are the expert on your business itself and the details of its operation. We will help you complete any information that you don’t have or that you are not sure about. Having as much information as possible about your type of business as well as the building and site you are considering helps us to make sure the information and guidance we give you is accurate and applicable to your particular business.
Bring your completed Zoning and Building Compliance form answering as many questions as you can. Some other helpful information to bring with you is:
• Square footage of the building or space,
• Number of parking spaces available for your business and
• A sketch of the floor plan.
Again, we will help you complete any information that you don’t have or that you are not sure about. At this initial meeting, we should be able to determine whether the property is properly zoned for your use, and whether there are any major issues in meeting basic requirements that might preclude moving forward. Click here for a printable brochure that explains the Open for Business program and the feasibility inspection process.
OTHER THINGS TO TAKE CARE OF WHILE YOUR LOCATION IS BEING FINALIZED
There are several other agencies that you may need to contact before you are ready to open, depending on the type of business you have, such as:
SC Department of Revenue
454 S. Anderson Road
Suite 202
Rock Hill SC 29731
803-324-7641
www.sctax.org
All new businesses will need to register with the DOR, which administers the majority of taxes and licenses businesses will need to operate in South Carolina. You can use the South Carolina Business One Stop (www.scbos.sc.gov) to help determine the other types of licenses or registrations your business might need., such as sales tax licenses, alcoholic beverage licenses and amusement and admission licenses.
York County Environmental Health Office - SC Department of Health and Environmental Control
1070 Heckle Boulevard
Rock Hill SC 29732
803-909-7300
Restaurants and other food service businesses will need to contact the County Health Department to get the appropriate Food Service Permits.
SC Department of Labor,
Licensing and Regulation
110 Centerview Drive
Columbia SC 29210
803-896-4300
www.llr.state.sc.us
LLR administers the licensing of over 130 regulated professions and occupations, including such diverse groups as contractors, cosmetologists, funeral directors and a wide range of medical providers. Most people are generally aware if their profession is regulated. The LLR website is also a good way to check on the license status of contractors and other professionals you might be considering for hire.
SC Secretary of State
1205 Pendleton Street
Suite 525
Columbia SC 29201
803-734-2158
www.scsos.com
Corporations, limited liability companies and limited partnerships must complete their business filings with the Secretary of State’s office. This can be done directly with the SCSOS office, or through the South Carolina Business One Stop (www.scbos.sc.gov).
SC Department of Social Services
2638 Two Notch Rd., Suite 220
Columbia, SC 29204
888-202-1469 (toll free) or 803-898-9001
www.dss.sc.gov
DSS provides child care registration and licensing for all child care businesses, including those operating out of a home.
OTHER RESOURCES FOR STARTING YOUR BUSINESS IN ROCK HILL
Winthrop Regional Small Business Development Center
118 Thurmond Building
Rock Hill SC 29733
803-323-2283
www.winthropregionalsbdc.org
The Winthrop Regional Small Business Development Center offers both training programs and one-on-one counseling that provide management and technical assistance to both start-up businesses as well as established enterprises.
York County Regional
Chamber of Commerce
116 E. Main Street
Rock Hill SC 29731
803-324-7500
www.yorkcountychamber.com
The Chamber has a Small Business Council and often provides information and training that is aimed at small business.
York Technical College
452 S. Anderson Road
Rock Hill, SC 29730
803-327-8000
803-981-7314 (Entrepreneur Network)
www.yorktech.com
York Tech has both credit and continuing education courses that help develop and enhance small business skills. In addition, they host the Entrepreneur Network to assist, inform and encourage local small business owners, entrepreneurs, and potential entrepreneurs to network, share experiences with others, and engage in valuable educational opportunities.
Click here for a printable Open for Business program brochure