Checklist

Different categories of businesses have different steps to follow; please see which category your proposed business fits into and then follow the associated steps to obtain a business license:


Businesses With a Physical Location in an Existing Commercial Building

If the business will have a physical location in an existing commercial building within the Town of Lexington, you must do the following:

  1. Complete an Application for Review of Business Location (PDF), a Business License Application (PDF), and a Wastewater Treatment Form (PDF) and return them to Sonya Lee or Customer Care by fax at 803-358-1552.
  2. Be available to answer any questions that Town staff might have about your proposed business. Town staff will review the proposed location for compliance with the Town's zoning, landscaping, and other requirements. This review will generally not take longer than 7 days.
  3. After this review is complete, you will receive a call letting you know either that (a) the Town cannot issue the proposed business a business license for some reason (and if so, what that reason is); or (b) that the business license is ready to be paid for and picked up (and if so, the cost of the business license and the cost of any associated fees that must be paid prior to the issuance of the business license).
  4. If your business license is approved, under typical circumstances it will be valid through April 30. Each year in late January - early February,  you will receive an application to renew your business license. You are responsible for completing this application and paying any associated fees by April 30. For non-payment of any or the entire correct license fee, a penalty of 5% of the unpaid fee will be assessed for each month (or portion thereof) after the due date.

Businesses With a Physical Location in a Commercial Building to Be Developed

If the business will have a physical location in a commercial building that is being built within the Town of Lexington, please do the following:

  1. Follow the steps in the Project Approval Guide (PDF)
  2. When the building has been constructed or is nearing completion, follow the steps for obtaining a business license that are listed above in the category for businesses with a physical location in an existing commercial building.

Home-Based Businesses & Booth Rentals

If either (a) the business will be operated out of a residence that is located within the Town of Lexington or (b) the business is a booth rental in a hair salon, please do the following:

  1. Come to Town Hall (111 Maiden Lane) anytime during regular business hours to apply for a home occupation permit and business license.
  2. Town staff will review your proposed business to make sure it meets the Town's requirements for a home-based business or booth rental, and if so, will issue you the home occupation permit and business license right away. This process generally takes no longer than half an hour.
    Note: If you plan to come to Town Hall at the end of the business day, however, please arrive by 4 p.m. so that you will have enough time to complete the process.
  3. If your business license is approved, under typical circumstances it will be valid through April 30. Each year in late January - early February, you will receive an application to renew your business license. You are responsible for completing this application and paying any associated fees by April 30. For non-payment of any or the entire correct license fee, a penalty of 5% of the unpaid fee will be assessed for each month (or portion thereof) after the due date.

Out-of-Town Contractors

If the business is an out-of-town contractor that has a job within the Town of Lexington, you must do the following:

  1. Apply for a building permit for the work from the Town of Lexington's Department of Planning, Building, and Technology. For more information about this, please see the Project Approval Guide (PDF). You may also need to email Customer Care or call 803-356-5938 for the relevant building permit application. You will be required to show proof of proper licensure through the State of South Carolina (such as a residential builder's license or a contractor's license) before a building permit will be issued.
  2. If the building permit is approved, Customer Care will let you know that it is ready to be paid for and picked up from Town Hall (111 Maiden Lane).
  3. When you come to pick up and pay for the building permit, the Town's Finance Department will issue a business license for the job. A separate cost will be assessed for the business license that is in addition to the cost of the building permit. If you need to know the cost of the building permit before you come to Town Hall, please email Customer Care or call 803-356-5938. If you need to know the cost of the business license before you come to Town Hall, please email Sonya Lee or call 803-951-4631.

Others

If your business does not seem to fit within any of the above categories, please contact Sonya Lee (email) at 803-951-4631, or John Hanson (email) at 803-951-4655. Either one should be able to help you ascertain the permitting and licensing process for your situation.