York County, SC Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit
- Annual, renewed with fee, § 155.671
- Exempt categories
- 6, incl. artists, phone-answering, ≤6-child daycare
- Large-lot threshold
- 2 acres or more
- Client visits
- 6/day (12 for art/craft instruction, large lot)
- Visit hours
- 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Employee cap
- 2 (large lot) / 1 (small lot)
- Always banned
- Auto repair, on-site retail, tattoo/piercing, hotels
Summary
Running a business from home in unincorporated York County requires an annual home occupation permit under § 155.671 unless the activity falls into one of six exempt categories, and every home occupation, permitted or exempt, must follow the § 155.674 use table and § 155.675 performance standards on size, employees, hours and client visits.
§ 155.670 APPLICABILITY. (A) This subpart applies to any occupation, profession, or business activity that is customarily conducted, incidental, and subordinate to the use of a dwelling unit for dwelling purposes. A home occupation is carried on by a resident of the dwelling unit and does not change the residential character of the dwelling unit. (B) A home occupation is allowed as an accessory use to a dwelling unit in any zoning district if it meets the requirements of this subpart. § 155.671 HOME OCCUPATION PERMIT REQUIRED. (A) Permit required. Except as provided by this subpart, home occupation use may not be initiated, established, or maintained without a valid home occupation permit... (B) Validity. After the permit has been issued, it shall be renewed annually subject to fee payment.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-49: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 3925, passed 6-16-25).
Full Breakdown
670 applies the home occupation rules to any occupation, profession or business activity 'customarily conducted, incidental, and subordinate' to a dwelling's residential use, run by a resident, in any zoning district. 671 requires a valid, annually renewable home occupation permit for most activities, with a site plan required for a 'large lot' home occupation involving outdoor activity or storage. C. Code § 44-1-143; and day care for six or fewer children registered with the state. 674's use table bars certain uses outright regardless of lot size, including automotive repair, dance or gymnastic studios, hotels or motels, on-site retail, outdoor recreation, public or private clubs, restaurants and tattoo and body piercing establishments. m. 676 lets the Planning and Development Services Director order an unsafe home occupation corrected or terminated, including revoking the permit.
Violations & Fines
Operating a home occupation without the required permit, exceeding the § 155.674 use table's outright prohibitions, or violating the § 155.675 performance standards is a misdemeanor under § 155.9999, punishable by a fine of up to $500 per day per violation; an unsafe home occupation can also be ordered corrected or shut down, with the permit revoked, under § 155.676.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to run a business from my York County home?
How many employees can work at my home business?
Can clients visit my home business?
What home businesses are banned everywhere in York County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in York County
How York County compares: Easiest Cities to Run a Home Business·Compare York County to another location·View the South Carolina home business overview
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