Permits, zoning & cottage food, explained
Straight answers for food trucks and home bakers, with links to the official office for every rule.
Step-by-step: the SCDA retail food permit, commissary form, local business licenses and inspections you need to run a food truck in South Carolina.
Reviewed Oct 2026South Carolina · ColumbiaFood truck rules in Columbia & Richland County, SCWhere food trucks can park in Columbia, SC, the 100-foot restaurant rule, late-night limits near homes, and the licenses Columbia and Richland County need.
Reviewed Oct 2026South Carolina · Home bakersSC cottage food law: what home bakers can sellSouth Carolina’s home-based food law explained: allowed and banned foods, the required label, where you can sell, and how to get an SCDA ID number.
Reviewed Oct 2026South Carolina · Food trucksHow to start a food truck in South Carolina (checklist)A practical checklist for starting a food truck in South Carolina: business setup, commissary, SCDA permit, local licenses, taxes and places to park.
Reviewed Oct 2026All states · Food trucksFood truck zoning & permits: how to find your city’s rulesCan you park a food truck anywhere? How food truck permits and zoning work in the US, the common local rules, and how to find your city’s ordinance fast.
Reviewed Oct 2026All states · Home bakersCottage food laws by state (overview)How cottage food laws work across the US: what home bakers can usually sell, sales caps, permits and labels, with snapshots for SC, FL, CA, TX and NY.
Reviewed Oct 2026These guides are general information, not legal advice. Rules change, so confirm with the office linked in each guide before you buy equipment or start selling.