5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Richland County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated Richland County the Land Development Code permits a "home occupation" as an accessory use in residential districts. It must be clearly incidental and subordinate to the home, conducted within the dwelling, and not change the outward residential appearance.
Richland County LDC Sec. 26-22
Home occupation. An accessory use of a dwelling unit for limited non-residential purposes which is clearly incidental and subordinate to the use of the dwelling unit as a residence.
Richland County's Land Development Code allows one small, non-illuminated sign for a home occupation, not exceeding two square feet, mounted flat against the dwelling (or on a low freestanding post in rural RU/RR districts).
Richland County LDC Sec. 26-180
One non-illuminated sign shall be permitted for a home occupation, mounted flat against the wall of the principal structure... or if in an RU or RR zoning district, on a freestanding post (up to a height of four (4) feet, inclusive of the sign)... provided such sign shall not exceed two (2) square feet in area.
South Carolina lets residents run a "home-based food production operation" selling nonpotentially hazardous foods without a DES/DHEC permit. Products must carry a specific disclaimer label. Richland County home-occupation and business-license rules still apply.
SC Code 44-1-143
"Home-based food production operation" means an individual, operating out of the individual's dwelling, who prepares, processes, packages, stores, and distributes nonpotentially hazardous foods for sale directly to a person, including online and by mail order, or to retail stores, including grocery stores.
South Carolina lets a resident care for up to six children in a "family childcare home," which must register with SC DSS. In unincorporated Richland County it is treated as a home occupation and needs county zoning approval before the state application.
SC Code 63-13-20
"Family childcare home" means a facility within a residence occupied by the operator in which childcare is regularly provided for no more than six children, unattended by a parent or legal guardian, including those children living in the home and children received for childcare who are related to the resident caregiver.
A home occupation in unincorporated Richland County must meet LDC standards: only residents may work there, no retail of off-premises goods, no outside storage, and instruction limited to four students at a time. A county business license also applies.
Richland County LDC Sec. 26-185
Only persons residing on the premises may be employed by the home occupation... Instruction in music, dance, art or similar subjects shall be limited to four (4) students at a time. No outside storage shall be allowed in connection with any home occupation.
1 cities in Richland County have their own home business rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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