Business Licensing & Operations in Beaufort County, SC (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Beaufort County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Beaufort County's Community Development Code keeps adult-oriented businesses in the unincorporated county at least 1,000 feet from homes, churches, schools, public buildings and day care centers, a full mile from any other adult business, and on a minimum one-acre lot, under Section 4.1.20.
Beaufort County Adult Business Spacing Rules
Significant RestrictionsBeaufort County Community Development Code § 4.1.20
A.Buffers. An additional 20 feet of perimeter buffer width shall be provided on all lot sides.B.Separation. The use shall be a minimum of 1,000 feet from any residential development outside the zone in which the adult-oriented business is located, a church, a school, a public building, or a day care center.C.Spacing from Adult-Oriented Business. An adult-oriented business shall be located a min...
Tattoo & Body Modification
Beaufort County's Community Development Code keeps tattoo and body piercing facilities at least 1,000 feet from homes, churches, schools, public buildings and day care centers, and 500 feet from any other such facility, and requires every SCDHEC and other state permit under Section 4.1.250 before the county will issue a land development permit.
Beaufort County Tattoo Facility Spacing Rules
Significant RestrictionsBeaufort County Community Development Code § 4.1.250
A.Separation. A tattoo or body piercing facility shall be a minimum of 1,000 feet from property line to property line of any residential development, church, school, public building, or day care center.B.Spacing. The minimum spacing between another tattoo or body piercing facility shall be 500 feet from property line to property line.C.Access. Access shall be from an interior street within the ...
Pawnbrokers
Beaufort County requires every pawnbroker to hold a license issued by the county clerk of court before opening for business, tied to one specific address. Operating without that license, or at any other premises than the one named on it, carries a civil penalty of $100.00 for every day the violation continues.
Pawnbroker Licensing in Beaufort County
Significant RestrictionsBeaufort County Code of Ordinances § 58-56
No person shall carry on the business of a pawnbroker in the county in any other house than the one designated in his license, under penalty of $100.00 for each day he shall exercise or carry on such business without such license or at any other licensed premises than the one designated, as required by S.C. Code 1976, § 40-39-20.
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Beaufort County bans vehicle repair, rental, sales, or assembly as a home business outright: Community Development Code § 4.2.80.A.1 lists engine and automobile work among the uses that can never qualify as an accessory home business in the unincorporated county, no matter the property size.
Beaufort County Bans Home Auto Repair Business
Heavy RestrictionsBeaufort County Community Development Code § 4.2.80.A.1
A.Prohibited Uses. The following uses are prohibited as a home business:1.The repair, rental, sales or assembly of vehicles or equipment with internal combustion engines (such as outboard marine engines, lawnmowers, etc.); battery motors (such as golf carts, electric cars, etc.); or any other work related to automobiles and their parts;
Towing Companies
Beaufort County requires a county business license for every wrecker service and tightly regulates nonconsensual tows from private property in the unincorporated area, capping release fees, mandating signage, and requiring a Sheriff's Office report within one hour of any tow.
Beaufort County Nonconsensual Towing Rules
Significant RestrictionsBeaufort County Code of Ordinances § 70-76
It shall be unlawful to remove any motor vehicle from private property without authorization from the owner of the motor vehicle, the county, or authorized law enforcement agencies, except under the following circumstances:(1)The property owner has proprietary ownership and discretion as to who is authorized to be on said property; and(2)If the property owner is a commercial entity or other lik...
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