Handyman License Requirements in Little River, SC
Little River is an unincorporated CDP. Horry County Treasurer - Business License: required for every person doing business in unincorporated Horry County incl. nonresidents (200% rates); zoning compliance first (Planning & Zoning 843-915-5340); license year May 1-Apr 30. https://horrycountysc.gov/departments/treasurer/business-license/
Little River requirements
Little River is an unincorporated CDP. Horry County Treasurer - Business License: required for every person doing business in unincorporated Horry County incl. nonresidents (200% rates); zoning compliance first (Planning & Zoning 843-915-5340); license year May 1-Apr 30. https://horrycountysc.gov/departments/treasurer/business-license/
Source link: horrycountysc.gov · horrycountysc.gov · checked November 2, 2026
Local business license
Required
- Name: Horry County Business License (privilege tax, Ordinance 88-99 as amended)
- Office: Horry County Treasurer - Business License
- Fee: By NAICS rate class on gross income (not quoted for contractors); nonresidents/itinerants 200%; license year May 1-Apr 30
"An Horry County Business License is required of every person engaged in any calling, business, occupation or profession within the unincorporated areas (outside the city limits) of Horry County ... Nonresident and itinerants having no fixed principle place of business within the County are subject to all minimum fees and rates applicable multiplied by 200 percent."
Source: horrycountysc.gov · checked November 2, 2026
Local contractor or handyman license
Our check could not confirm this from an official page, so we don't state it. Ask the city or county office.
County: Horry County
The South Carolina rule
Regulator: South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR): South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (residential builders and residential specialty contractors); South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (general and mechanical contractors, Title 40 Ch. 11)
Tiered. Residential specialty contractor (trades incl. carpenters, drywall, painters/wallpaperers, floor covering, roofers, masons, insulation, siding, stucco, plumbers, electricians, HVAC) is required 'when the undertakings exceed five hundred dollars' (i.e., $500 or less is exempt; over $500 requires registration, or an exam-based license for plumbing/electrical/HVAC). Residential builder license required 'when the cost of the undertaking exceeds five thousand dollars'. Registration limited to 3 trade classifications; more than 3 requires a residential builder license. Chapter 11 (Contractor's Licensing Board): license required where 'the total cost of construction is greater than ten thousand dollars' for general or mechanical contracting (raised from $5,000 by 2023 Act No. 69, eff May 19, 2023).
What counts toward it: labor+materials (40-59-240(D) bond rule says 'total cost of materials and labor'; the definitions in 40-59-20 say 'undertakings exceed' / 'cost of the undertaking exceeds' without itemizing - treat as total job cost)
"when the cost of the undertaking exceeds five thousand dollars. Anyone who engages or offers to engage in such undertaking in this State is considered to have engaged in the business of residential building."
Source: scstatehouse.gov · scstatehouse.gov · checked November 2, 2026
State registration
Residential Specialty Contractor Registration (RBS) with the Residential Builders Commission for non-exam trades over $500; no exam required for registered trades; application fee $100, renewal $100. Max 3 trade classifications. Plumbers, electricians, HVAC installers/repairers must pass an exam for a specialty contractor license. Business entities: residential business certificate of authorization (40-59-400/410; details not reviewed).
Source: llr.sc.gov · checked November 2, 2026
Insurance and bond
Residential specialty contractor: when total cost of materials and labor for an individual property owner exceeds $5,000, must obtain a surety bond in an amount approved by the commission (LLR application package: bond 'in the amount of $5,000'). No state general-liability insurance amount found.
Source: scstatehouse.gov · llr.sc.gov · checked November 2, 2026
Forming an LLC in South Carolina
State filing fee: $110.
Source: scstatehouse.gov · checked November 2, 2026
What to do, in order
- Read the South Carolina rule and confirm with South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR): South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (residential builders and residential specialty contractors); South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (general and mechanical contractors, Title 40 Ch. 11).
- Line up the Little River items listed on this page.
- Get your insurance and rate in place before the first paid job.
Nearby places
Rules change. This page shows what official sources said on the dates above. It is not legal advice.
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