Your business plan is the essential first step to put your business on the path to success. Business plans usually project about three to five years ahead. They help people who are starting a business think about how much money the business will need to get going and be sustainable.

Here are some resources to help you develop a business plan: Business Resources (PDF)

Choose Your Business Structure

You may choose from several different types of business structures, such as:

• Sole proprietorship
• General partnership
• Limited partnership
• Limited Liability Corporation (LLC)
• Corporation

The different types of business structures have different legal and tax implications. To learn everything that you need to know about this before deciding on your business form, you may need to contact an attorney and/or a tax accountant.

Register Your Business Name

Some business structures are required to register their name with the SC Secretary of State, while others are not:

• Limited Partnerships, LLCs and Corporations are required to register. You should check to see if the name is available first.
• Other business structures are not required to register with the Secretary of State, but may register a “doing business as” (DBA) name with the York County Register of Deeds if desired.

Figure out whether you will need any special state licenses, and learn about the laws and regulations that apply to your business.

State Licenses

Many types of businesses are required to have a South Carolina license, such as:

• Retail License
• Contractor’s license
• Day care license
• Automobile Dealer License
• Salon or Cosmetology License
• Vehicle wash water permits
• Food service permits
• Alcohol license

Laws and Regulations

This also is a good time to learn about general business and employment laws and any special federal or state regulations that apply to your type of business. For example, in South Carolina, many businesses are regulated by the Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Financing Options

If you need help with financing, reach out to banks or private investors.

Insurance

Contact an insurance agency to learn about insurance options for your business.

Taxes

Learn about taxes that will apply to your business, such as sales taxes and Local Hospitality and Accommodation Taxes. Also, if needed, obtain a Federal Tax ID (FEIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Finding a good location for your business is critical to your business’ success.

Some basic things to consider are:

• Costs to lease or purchase
• Costs to repair critical systems (electrical, plumbing, gas, fire suppression, etc.)
• Costs to renovate an existing space
• Compatibility with surrounding uses
• Does the site have the amount of traffic you need to be successful there?
• Is it visible to your customers?
• What signage would you like to use?
• Does the site have have all the parking that you need? Review the Parking Standards for New Businesses (PDF).
• Is the number of restrooms adequate for your use?
• Is it handicap accessible?

If you need help finding a business location, call a commercial real estate agent and ask about commercial tenant representation, or reach out to the Rock Hill Economic Development Corporation (RHEDC). You can view which properties are located within the City limits using the City's Online Mapping Services.

WARNING: Please do not lease or purchase property without completing the next step of the process. Finding a location that you like is very exciting, but please talk with us before you make that level of commitment to a particular spot.

You have come so far already! Now we will need to help evaluate the location that you have selected to make sure that your business will be allowed to operate there. If the use is allowed in the location and you are going into an existing building, we also would like to provide you with a basic assessment of the scope of any required repairs or improvements to the building or property.

Please contact us so that we can start this conversation:
businesslicense@cityofrockhill.com

Three paths diverge from this point. Our team can help explain which path your business needs to follow.

Some smaller scale types of businesses with little to no impact to neighboring properties may be able to operate a business from home.

• Home-Based Business Requirements (PDF)
• In-Home Day Cares Information (PDF)

Some situations allow for you to open in a particular space more easily than others. For example, if you are opening in an existing space that was used by a similar business in the past, and where no building permits are required for planned changes to the space, you will not have as many steps to follow from this point as a businesses that is wanting to open in a space that was used very differently in the past or one that is making significant repairs or upgrades to the space.

Business Start-Up Guide — Simplest Scenarios (PDF)
Leasing Site Lights from City (PDF)

If you are opening in a space that has been used very differently in the past, or are planning repairs or upgrades to the space, you have a few important steps left before you will be able to open. The same goes for a few specific use types, such as restaurants, beauty salons/barber shops, vehicle repair/body shops, day cares, hotels, religious institutions and any use with a hazardous classification.

Business Start-Up Guide — Complex Scenarios (PDF)
Leasing Site Lights From City (PDF)

For automobile sales lots, the Vehicle Sales Site Plan Checklist (PDF) also might be helpful.