Richland County, SC Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- County peddler's license fee
- $50.00
- State license prerequisite
- SC Code § 40-41-10 et seq.
- Roadside solicitation permits/year
- Max 2 per organization
- Roadside permit duration
- 7 consecutive days max
- Misdemeanor penalty
- Up to $500 / 30 days jail
Summary
Anyone peddling goods for non-charitable purposes in unincorporated Richland County must first get the South Carolina state peddler's license and pay the county's $50 peddler's license fee. Charitable organizations follow a separate state registration process, and roadside solicitation from motorists is limited to rescue squads, volunteer fire departments and charities.
Sec. 16-30. Peddler's license required for non-charitable purposes. (a) License required. Any person desiring to peddle goods, wares, and/or merchandise for non-charitable purposes, anywhere in the unincorporated area of the county, shall first acquire the state peddlers license and meet all regulations pursuant to the provisions of S.C. Code §§ 40-41-10, et seq., as amended; and shall also meet all local and state laws and regulations. ... (c) Fees. The fee for a peddlers license shall be fifty dollars ($50.00).
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-24: This supplement is current through Ordinance No. 033-25HR).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 16-29 bars anyone from soliciting or peddling anywhere in the unincorporated county without meeting Article III's requirements. 'Peddle' is defined as offering goods for sale door-to-door, on the streets by outcry, or by exposing goods, placards or signals in a public place (Sec. 16-28). Under Sec. C. and comply with all other state and local law. The county peddler's license application requires the applicant's prior-year gross receipts as reported to the IRS, the type of merchandise sold, the business address, and any affiliated companies; false information is grounds for revocation.
00 (Sec. 16-30(c)). C. Code §§ 33-56-10 et seq. (Sec. 16-31). Only rescue squads, volunteer fire departments and charitable organizations may solicit funds from motorists on county roads, and only after obtaining a County Council permit stating the specific dates, times and locations; no organization may receive more than two such permits per calendar year, and each permit runs no longer than seven consecutive days (Sec. 16-32). Anyone soliciting or peddling on county-owned property needs prior approval from their department director if a county employee, or from the County Administrator or designee otherwise (Sec. 16-34).
Violations & Fines
Violating any provision of Article III (Solicitors and Peddlers) is a misdemeanor punishable under the Code's general penalty provision by a fine of up to $500, up to 30 days imprisonment, or both, with each day of violation a separate offense (Sec. 16-36, Sec. 1-8). The County Administrator or an authorized agent may conduct systematic inspections to check compliance, and inspection records are not public (Sec. 16-35).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to sell goods door-to-door in unincorporated Richland County?
Who can solicit donations from drivers on Richland County roads?
What happens if I solicit without the required permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Richland County
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