South Carolina Special Event Liquor Permit: Cost, Rules & How to Apply
Quick answer
In South Carolina, alcohol at a one-off public or fundraising event is covered by the Beer & Wine Special Event Permit (TBP), open to individuals, business entities, or nonprofit organizations selling beer and wine at a special event. It costs $10 per calendar day of the event and should be filed at least 3 days before the event.
General information from the state's published rules, not legal advice. Confirm with the agency before your event.
Permit at a glance
- Permit name
- Beer & Wine Special Event Permit (TBP)
- Official source
- dor.sc.gov State agency (dor.sc.gov)
- Fee
- $10 per calendar day of the event
- Apply at least
- 3 days before
- Nonprofits only
- No
- Last verified
- Oct 8, 2026
Who it covers
Who can apply in South Carolina.
Who can apply: Individuals, business entities, or nonprofit organizations selling beer and wine at a special event
Liquor may not be sold or served under this permit. Applicants must be a South Carolina resident or registered in SC for 30 days.
| Other permit types | Who | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Liquor Special Event Permit (TLP) | Nonprofit organizations only | $35 per calendar day; events extending after 11:59 p.m. require an additional day's fee |
How to apply
3 steps, in order.
- Apply to the SCDOR at least three days before the event (most permits are processed in about 3 business days).
- Notify SLED by email at least 24 hours before the event.
- If selling after 5 p.m., carry liquor liability coverage totaling $500,000.
Neighbors
How South Carolina compares.
| State | Fee | Lead time | Nonprofit only |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | $10 per calendar day of the event | 3 days | No |
| Georgia | $25 per permit for the first 6 permits in a calendar year; after that, for-profit fees apply | 10 days | Yes |
| North Carolina | $50 per permit | 14 days | Yes |
Nationally
Where South Carolina ranks.
For one one-day event under the main permit, South Carolina's state fee comes to $10. Of the 26 states where that figure can be read straight from the fee rule, 2 charge less and 22 charge more. States whose fee depends on the type of organization, drink or city are left out of this comparison.
South Carolina asks for 3 days of notice. Of the 24 states that publish a deadline, 23 require more notice and 0 require less (business days counted as calendar weeks).
Across the border
What changes next door.
- South Carolina lets more than nonprofits apply; Georgia does not.
- A one-day event costs $10 in state fees here, against $25 in Georgia.
- Less notice is required than in Georgia (3 days here, 10 days there).
- South Carolina lets more than nonprofits apply; North Carolina does not.
- A one-day event costs $10 in state fees here, against $50 in North Carolina.
- Less notice is required than in North Carolina (3 days here, 14 days there).
Also needed in South Carolina
Training and liability.
Server training
None in South Carolina. APIS data as of 1/1/2025. APIS minimum ages (on-premises): serve beer/wine/spirits 18/18/18, bartend 21/21/21.
Next steps
Related.
Sources
- South Carolina — Beer & Wine Special Event Permit (TBP) · State agency (dor.sc.gov), checked Oct 8, 2026
- South Carolina — Liquor Special Event Permit (TLP) · State agency (dor.sc.gov), checked Oct 8, 2026
- South Carolina — server training · Federal summary (NIAAA APIS), checked Jul 29, 2026
General information, not legal advice.