move forward and open your business there. Any business with a physical location inside the City will need zoning and building code approval before opening and the Open for Business Program will assist you with the process. Please call 803-329-5590 to schedule an appointment or visit our website at www.cityofrockhill.com/ openforbusiness for more information. Business Licenses The City Of Rock Hill requires any person or entity engaged in any business, occupation or profession within City limits as required in the business license ordinance to obtain a business license. “Business” is defined as a calling, occupation, profession or activity engaged in with the object of gain, benefit or advantage, either directly or indirectly. The business license fee is an excise tax levied on the privilege of doing business and is based on the gross income of a business collected from business done within the City for one calendar year. Business licenses expire December 31 of each year and must be renewed by April 30 of the following year. The business license should be displayed at the place of business in a conspicuous location. Mobile or transient businesses should carry the license with them. A business with a physical location inside the City will also need zoning and building code approval from the Planning and Development Department for their location before they can obtain a business license. The City Of Rock Hill also has two other business taxes: A 2% Hospitality Tax required for businesses selling food and beverages prepared for immediate consumption. A 3% Accommodations Tax required for hotels, motels and other businesses providing accommodations. Visit www.cityofrockhill.com/businesslicense for more information. Home-Based Businesses The City Of Rock Hill requires a zoning approval to operate a business from your home called a Home Occupation Permit. The permit is obtained from the Planning and Development Department. Some smaller scale types of businesses with little to no impact to neighboring properties may be able to operate a business from home. A home daycare may be permitted based on certain requirements. For more information visit www.cityofrockhill. com/zoningapprovalsforbusinesses. Daycares are also required to be registered with the Department of Social Services (DSS) Child Care Licensing division who can be reached at 803-898-9001.
Housing & Neighborhood Services
First-Time Homebuyers Program If you’re employed and have never owned a home of your own, or not owned a home within the past three years, you may qualify for The Housing Development Corporation of Rock Hill’s First Time Homebuyer Program. The program helps potential buyers by providing education and information about down payments and closing costs as well as assistance in maneuvering through the basics of buying a home. Rock Hill’s Housing and Neighborhood Services department holds regular First Time Home Buyer classes that will help familiarize you with the home buying experience - including maintenance, real estate transactions, mortgage procedures, and financial health. Our housing counselors will work with you individually on your journey toward home ownership. Down payment and closing cost assistance are available to qualified buyers. For more information, call 803-817-5112. Foreclosure Prevention Assistance The Housing Development Corporation of Rock Hill has a housing counselor on staff to help City residents who are experiencing a financial hardship or have fallen behind on mortgage payments. If you’ve received a notice of foreclosure proceedings or are in need of mortgage loan modification, Housing Specialist Lois Sanders may be able to help you avoid foreclosure and/or work with you and your lender to allow you to stay in your home. Lois has a number of resources available to assist homeowners with foreclosure, default and loan modification concerns.
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