How to get a Liquor License in South Carolina?

Obtaining a liquor license in South Carolina involves a series of steps, including meeting eligibility requirements, submitting an application with the necessary documents, paying a nonrefundable filing fee, and complying with specific regulations. The process is regulated by the Alcohol Beverage Licensing (ABL) division of the South Carolina Department of Revenue and is facilitated through their online portal, MyDORWAY. The license must be renewed every two years, and the renewal due date is based on the county where your business is located.

1. Determine Eligibility

• Purpose: To ensure that you meet the necessary requirements to apply for a liquor license in South Carolina.
• Instructions: If you're a sole proprietor, you must have been a resident of South Carolina for at least 30 days. For general partnerships, the partnership must have been formed in South Carolina for at least 30 days. Corporations, Limited Liability Corporations (LLCs), and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) must have been registered with the South Carolina Secretary of State’s office for at least 30 days. If you do not meet the 30-day requirement, your application will not be accepted.

2. Prepare Necessary Documents

• Purpose: To provide the necessary documentation for your application.
• Instructions: As part of your application, you're required to submit supplemental documents such as the receipt or affidavit from the advertisement you ran in an approved newspaper, and a Criminal Record Check (CRC) for all principals. Depending on the license you’re applying for, you may be required to submit additional documents.

3. Apply for a Liquor License

• Purpose: To officially request a liquor license from the South Carolina Department of Revenue.
• Estimated Cost: The cost varies depending on the type of license you're applying for. The fees are listed on each license's page details.
• Instructions: You can apply for licenses and permits online using the SCDOR's free tax portal, MyDORWAY. Some licenses and permits require you to first obtain a Retail License from the SCDOR. After your Retail License has been issued, you must log in to MyDORWAY to apply for these licenses and permits.

4. Comply with Regulations

• Purpose: To ensure that your business operates within the legal framework set by the South Carolina Code of Laws.
• Instructions: Follow the regulations outlined in Title 61 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. This includes describing in detail the specific areas where the licensee will store, sell, and/or serve liquor, beer, or wine. If there's a change in the designated party for a publicly traded corporation, a new license or permit isn't necessary, provided no violations are pending. The replacement must be of good moral character, over the age of twenty-one, and a resident of South Carolina.

5. Publish a Notice of Application

• Purpose: To inform the public about your intention to sell alcohol at your business’s location.
• Instructions: You need to publish a notice of application once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper within the proposed area where your business will be located. The S.C. Department of Revenue will decide which newspaper, based on circulation figures, is applicable.

Useful Information Source Links

• South Carolina Department of Revenue – Alcohol Beverage Licensing
• South Carolina Department of Revenue – Licenses
• MyDORWAY
• South Carolina Code of Laws
• South Carolina Press Association's guide on public notices

FAQs

• How often do I need to renew my liquor license in South Carolina? You will usually need to renew your liquor license every two years. The renewal due date is based on the county where your business is located.
• What happens if I don't meet the 30-day residency requirement? If you do not meet the 30-day requirement, your application will not be accepted.
• What happens if there's a change in the designated party for a publicly traded corporation? A new license or permit isn't necessary, provided no violations are pending. The replacement must be of good moral character, over the age of twenty-one, and a resident of South Carolina.
• What are the requirements for the notice of application? The notice must be placed in the selected newpaper’s legal notices section, be a column wide, and be at least two inches deep with large type. It should state the type of license you’ve applied for and the exact location of your proposed business.

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