How To Start A Business in Greer, SC

Before starting a business, you need a business plan. GDC has a variety of resources that can help you through your planning process and the Clemson Small Business Development Center is an excellent resource to help you refine your plan.

Once you have your business plan, it is time to find a location for your business. GDC can help you find buildings or sites and set up visits with the listing agents.

Once a tentative location has been selected, it is recommended that a discussion with the City of Greer’s Planning and Zoning Department takes place to ensure there will be no zoning issues with your intended use. In addition, Building and Code Enforcement offers a feasibility walk through to ensure the building will work for your desired purpose and alert you to any changes that would need to be made.

Initially, all businesses must be approved through the City of Greer’s Planning and Zoning Department. The Zoning Office will discuss the area with you and determine if there might be special restrictions on that area. Do not invest any money in a location until zoning has been thoroughly researched.

Zoning Permits are available for commercial and home-based businesses

Tax map numbers may be found through the Greenville County or Spartanburg County Assessor’s office.

Zoning approval must be granted before continuing.  Please allow 2-5 days for processing.

City of Greer
Building & Development Standards Department
City Hall
301 East Poinsett St.
Greer, SC 29651

Planning & Zoning: (864) 801-2009
Fax: (864) 801-2020
Web: www.cityofgreer.org

The building inspector and fire marshal will schedule an appointment with the business owner for an inspection of the premises.  Any code violations will need to be corrected and the building brought up to code.  At that time, a re-inspection will be done and a release given for the Certificate of Occupancy.

New or existing structures involving renovations or remodeling may require permits. Before constructing a new facility or renovate an existing one, you must have this permit.

Permit applications are available for:

• Building
• Electrical
• Plumbing
• Mechanical

Inspections by the building inspector and fire marshal will be done as needed during the time of construction. All structures and renovations must have a final approval from city inspectors.

A Certificate of Occupancy must be issued before a facility can be occupied.

City of Greer
Building & Development Standards Department
City Hall
301 East Poinsett St.
Greer, SC 29651

Planning & Zoning: (864) 801-2009
Fax: (864) 801-2020
Web: www.cityofgreer.org

Establishing Water, Sewer, Gas and Power in the City of Greer

The Greer Commission of Public Works is in business to provide first-class water, wastewater, gas and electric service to its customers.

You will be required to sign a service contract and pay a deposit. This deposit is refundable at the closing of your final bill. The amount of your deposit is dependent on the size of your business and its estimated water use.

To sign up for service please visit the Greer Commission of Public Works at 301 McCall Street in Greer, SC or call 864-848-5500 or visit their website at www.greercpw.com.

For additional information on other utilities providers in the Greer area, visit our utilities page.

Signs must be permitted and approved through the City’s Planning and Zoning Department.

If your plans do not/cannot meet the specifications, you can discuss options with the zoning office. If you find the current zoning classification of your potential location does not allow for your business, you may file an appeal for rezoning. In order to file this appeal, contact the Zoning Administrator’s office. An answer on this appeal can usually be expected 2-4 weeks after submission of your application packet.

City of Greer
Building & Development Standards Department
City Hall
301 East Poinsett St.
Greer, SC 29651

Planning & Zoning: (864) 801-2009
Fax: (864) 801-2020
Web: www.cityofgreer.org

Businesses involved in food processing, storage, or distribution must have the necessary DHEC permits. Information can be found online at http://www.scdhec.gov/ or contact Greenville or Spartanburg County Department of Health for instructions and inspections.

Greenville County Health Department
200 University Ridge
Greenville, SC 29602
Office: (864) 282-4100
DHEC: (864) 282-4146

Spartanburg County Health Department
151 E. Wood Street
Spartanburg, SC 29305
DHEC: (864) 596-3337

Retail businesses are required to have a South Carolina Retail Sales Tax License. Contact the South Carolina Department of Revenue for complete information.

South Carolina Department of Revenue
211 Century Drive
Greenville, SC 29607
Phone: 864-241-1200
Fax: 864-232-5008
Web: www.sctax.org or www.scbos.sc.gov

Additional Tax Information

Certain business activities and operations require you to pay additional taxes. For more tax information, visit our tax page.

Businesses that intend to sell or furnish beer or wine must have a retail alcohol and beverage permit. It is illegal to operate a business without the proper permit. Applications are available through the Alcohol Beverage Licensing Department with the South Carolina Department of Revenue.

South Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Licensing
Phone: (803) 898-5864
Fax: (803) 898-5320
Web: www.sctax.org

Businesses must obtain a city business license before the start of business. Licenses are issued at:

Greer City Hall
301 E. Poinsett St.
Greer, SC  29651

Main Office: (864) 848-2150
Business Licenses: (864) 848-2186
Fax: (864) 848-2157

The following information is needed to issue the business license:

• Certificate of Occupancy
• Physical Address of Business
• DHEC permit (when required)
• Phone Number
• ABC License (when required)
• Fax Number
• S.C. Retail Sales Tax License (when required)
• Federal ID # or Social Security #
• Business Name
• Description of type of business
• Business Mailing Address
• Contact Name

Any security alarms must be registered with the Greer Police Department.

Greer City Hall
301 E. Poinsett St.
Greer, SC  29651

Main Office: (864) 848-2150
Fax: (864) 848-2157
Web: www.cityofgreer.org

A two percent (2%) Hospitality Tax is collected on all prepared or modified foods and beverages. This tax is remitted to the City’s Finance Department by the 20th of each month.

Greer City Hall
301 E. Poinsett St.
Greer, SC  29651

Main Office: (864) 848-2150
Fax: (864) 848-2157
Web: www.cityofgreer.org

Additional Tax Information

Certain business activities and operations require you to pay additional taxes. For more tax information, visit our tax page.

Congratulations, you are ready to open your business!

Now it is time to network and promote. Consider getting involved with organizations like the Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce and Greer Station Association in order to meet with other business people and leverage existing platforms. If, during the course of operating your business, you run in to any questions or issues, please do not hesitate to contact GDC.