How Simpsonville Handles Home Business: A Practical Guide

Simpsonville maintains 100 local ordinances across all categories, and 5 of those deal specifically with home business. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Simpsonville falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Home Occupation Permits

Simpsonville requires a City business license before operating a home occupation. Existing home occupations may continue only while the annual license is renewed; if it lapses or is revoked, the business must re-qualify under the current zoning standards.

Key details: License required: City business license (sec. 10-41). Renewal: Annually to keep operating. Clients on-site: Max 2 at a time (child care exempt). Employees: One non-resident employee max. Operator: Must permanently reside at dwelling.

Operating without a business license or outside the home-occupation standards is a violation; the license can be revoked and the use ordered to cease.

Signage Rules

A home occupation may display one sign per lot. It must be a wall or hanging sign no larger than four square feet, may not hang from an awning or canopy, and may not be internally illuminated.

Key details: Max size: 4 square feet. Max number: One sign per lot. Sign types: Wall or hanging signs only. Illumination: No internal illumination. Placement: Not hung from awning/canopy.

An oversized, extra, or internally illuminated home occupation sign is a zoning violation subject to removal orders and municipal fines.

Zoning Restrictions

Home occupations are a permitted accessory use in Simpsonville's residential zoning districts. The business must be conducted entirely within the residence, be clearly incidental to residential use, and use no more than 25 percent of the dwelling's habitable floor area.

Key details: Classified as: Accessory use in residence. Floor area cap: 25% of habitable floor area. Number allowed: One per dwelling unit. Must be: Incidental and secondary to home. Prohibited uses: Auto repair, kennels, restaurants, etc..

Operating outside these standards is a zoning violation enforced by Code Enforcement; the home occupation can be ordered to cease and fines assessed.

Cottage Food Operations

South Carolina's Home-Based Food Production law lets you sell non-potentially-hazardous foods (baked goods, candy) made at home without a state retail-food permit. In Simpsonville you still need a City business license and must comply with the home-occupation zoning standards.

Key details: State law: S.C. Code sec. 44-1-143. Allowed: Non-potentially-hazardous foods. State permit: Not required (exempt from Reg 61.25). City license: Business license required (10-41). Zoning: Home occupation standards apply (3.3.8).

Selling potentially hazardous foods outside the exemption, or operating without the required City business license, can trigger state or city enforcement.

Home Daycare

Child care is allowed as a home occupation limited to a maximum of six children, and the rear yard must be enclosed by a fence or wall at least four feet high. Larger child day care centers require special-exception review and must meet State licensing (S.C. Regulations Chapter 114).

Key details: Home occupation limit: Max 6 children. Rear yard: Fenced/walled, 4 ft high min.. Larger centers: Special exception (sec. 3.2.3). State law: S.C. Regs Chapter 114. License: City business license required.

Exceeding the six-child limit without the required special-exception approval, or lacking the enclosed play area, is a zoning violation subject to enforcement.

The Bottom Line

Simpsonville's home business rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Simpsonville is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Simpsonville can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.