Pursuant to Sullivan’s Island’s Town Codes & Ordinances (Section 10-1) every person engaged, or intending to engage, in business within the Town of Sullivan’s Island is required to obtain an annual Sullivan’s Island Business License. The annual Sullivan’s Island business license is active from May 1st through April 30th. If you do not make your license payment before April 30th, you will be charged a 5% penalty fee for every month you are late.

All contractors who engage in work on the Island are verified through the South Carolina Department of Labor Licensing and Regulation (LLR). Contractors are to update their license on a per job basis based on the contract value of the job. When renewing your 2023 license, please complete the Town of Sullivan's Island Business License Application and the Contractors Ordinance . If you update your license per job, your license update is good until the job is complete. If your company provides service work such as maintenance, warranty work, minor repairs, etc. you will need to pay the initial license based on the gross income from these services. When requesting a license update, complete the Business License update request and submit a proposal, estimate, or scope of work as proof of income. All license updates are based on the total contract amount, labor and materials included.

All landscapers are required to purchase an annual Sullivan’s Island Business License. Landscapers are required to complete the Town of Sullivan's Island Business License Application and the Landscaping Policy Agreement (PDF).  Effective January 1, 2020, if you are conducting any kind of work that requires permitting such as tree removals, hardscapes, driveways, fences, etc., you will be required to update your license per every job before the work is to begin. Your annual license fee will be based on basic services such as lawn maintenance, debris cleanup, tree pruning, etc.

Refer to the list below for requirements per business type:

Long Term Rentals:

• Town of Sullivan's Island Business License Application
• Long Term Rental Agreement (PDF)
• Copy of lease.

Home Occupation:

• Town of Sullivan's Island Business License Application
• Home Occupation Conditional Use Requirements (PDF)
• Proof of gross income from the previous year.

Food and Beverage:

• Town of Sullivan's Island Business License Application
• Special Use Permit Application (PDF)
• All South Carolina Department of Revenue required licenses for liquor, liquor sales on Sundays and beer and wine.
• Proof of gross income from the previous year.

Film/Photography: (NO COMMERCIALZED ACTIVITY ALLOWED ON BEACHES OR BEACH PATHS)

• Town of Sullivan's Island Business License Application
• Film Permit Application (PDF) (This is for all filming projects. Portrait and still photography not included).
• Proof of gross income from the previous year.

All business license applications must be submitted, by mail to P.O. Box 427 Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482 or emailed at jgress@sullivansisland.sc.gov. Once your fee is calculated, your payment can be made online through our BS&A Online Portal. For new accounts, please contact the Business License Clerk at 843-883-5727 to receive your business PIN number.

If you are no longer conducting business on Sullivan’s Island and would like to terminate your account, a Business License Cancellation (PDF) must be completed by the owner of the company and sent to jgress@sullivansisland.sc.gov.