Food Vending Permits in Horry and Georgetown (Surfside Beach, North: fit in, to rent)

[neecewh]

Is anyone familiar with what is involved in obtaining a food vending permit in Horry county? Is it as difficult and expensive as it appears to be? After internet research, some phone calls, and a trip to Surfside Town Hall I am more confused then ever about the entire process. We were hoping to get a pig roaster and find a place to set it up, but it doesn't seem possible. Before tossing in the towel I wanted to see if anyone has any information on the subject.

From what I gather from the county, even if you found somewhere to set up a roaster you would still need a physical business location (not that you are restricted to setting it up there, but since you can't cater out of your house in this county you would need a commercial kitchen to house and prep your food). On top of that, the town of Surfside told us you can't even do food vending in the town. When we pointed out they have vendors at all their events they did concede there was an exception for that, but that the permit to do so is $500 a pop. Unless we were selling gold napkins to go along with the sandwiches that scenario would have red ink all over it.

Anyone know if it is as hopeless as it appears? Is it the same in Georgetown?

[PawleysDude]

Originally Posted by neecewh

Is it the same in Georgetown?

Hey Neecie - Come on down to Georgetown County, so I won't have to drive so far.

Georgetown County has tried on several occasions recently to address this issue, particularly in the PI/MI areas, and I'm not sure exactly where it stands. We routinely have shrimp vendors (raw- not cooked) and hot dog vendors set up alongside the road, but there have been some seriously mis-guided folks harrassing their council representative to "clean up" this situation. I'll avoid any more comments on those folks and their family history.

I suggest calling G'town County Zoning at 545-3602, to see what they have to say. On most issues, I've been pleasantly surprised by the helpfulness of our county administrators. Not sure if this helps any or not: Vendor Permits (http://www.georgetowncountysc.org/zoning/docs/vendorpermit11-3-2009.pdf - broken link)

Fast-track it, I'm hungry!

[neecewh]

Thanks PD for the terrific information! We looked over the link you posted for vendor permits and it does seem that maybe there is hope after all. Georgetown looks to have fewer hoops to jump through than Horry county and the cost of a permit is incredibly reasonable. We are going to call Georgetown County Zoning tomorrow. If all goes well, lunch is on me!

...but there have been some seriously mis-guided folks harrassing their council representative to "clean up" this situation. I'll avoid any more comments on those folks and their family history.

What? They must be hanging out with the folks from Surfside Beach, or have a similar lineage. Maybe you should have a chat with them and point those poor misguided folks in the right direction ... North on I95 might be a good start.

[jacksongrandma]

PawleysDude and neecewh, I'm in the same boat. Want to open a cupcake mobile. I'm not getting any help from anyone. I live in Surfside Beach, S.C. What licenses, what permits, where to get them? I'm at a total loss. Can anyone help?

[neecewh]

Originally Posted by jacksongrandma

PawleysDude and neecewh, I'm in the same boat. Want to open a cupcake mobile. I'm not getting any help from anyone. I live in Surfside Beach, S.C. What licenses, what permits, where to get them? I'm at a total loss. Can anyone help?

If you live in Horry County you will have to have a physical location for your mobile business. Although the SC DHEC leaves it up to local zoning official as to whether or not you can have a home based business, Surfside Beach does not allow you to do so (and from what I have found, you can't do it anywhere else in Horry County either). If you have a physical location with a commercial kitchen then you would be required to have a food service permit and follow all the same licenses and permits as a regular restaurant.

If you lived about 10 minutes south of Surfside it would not be an issue. Georgetown does allow mobile units, but unless you reside there you would still be subject to Horry Counties "no home based food business" regulations. If it weren't for that, the smell of barbeque would have made its way to PD's house by now.

[PawleysDude]

Originally Posted by neecewh

...If it weren't for that, the smell of barbeque would have made its way to PD's house by now.

You're breakin' my heart, neecie. I've been waitin' for the word you were up and cooking.

As much as folks want and need work, and as much as the state needs tax revenue, it's amazing the number of roadblocks thrown up in front of entrepreneurs.

[Nativechief]

You see if they allowed people to do what you want to do it would hurt the business folks already there and paying big overhead to stay. Sounds like you just want to make a quick profit and run...

[neecewh]

Originally Posted by Nativechief

You see if they allowed people to do what you want to do it would hurt the business folks already there and paying big overhead to stay. Sounds like you just want to make a quick profit and run...

Geez Nativechief! Do you ever come in here and NOT Pi$$ someone off? What makes roasting a pig on the side of the road any less of a legitimate business than one that has a front door and tables? And, if I don't need the front door and tables to do it, why should have have to pay for them?

[Nativechief]

Originally Posted by neecewh

Geez Nativechief! Do you ever come in here and NOT Pi$$ someone off? What makes roasting a pig on the side of the road any less of a legitimate business than one that has a front door and tables? And, if I don't need the front door and tables to do it, why should have have to pay for them?

Im not trying to make him mad but if they allow one person to set up a road side stand they then open the door to everyone selling hot dogs to nasty tacos. How would you like to have half a million invested in a burger shack only to see some guy with a cook stove and paper plates selling "cheap "BBQ" on the sidewalk outside your door........Hell they may even want to come in and wash up using your bathroom if you let them. Like I said its a "grab the quick money and run"

[neecewh]

I had to have an extra cup of coffee this morning just to try to figure out if you were being serious, and I still can not be sure.

So your argument is that because someone may buy a bbq sandwich from me instead of a burger from the guy that pays more to rent a building (instead of just a piece of land) I should be banned from doing so? So you are telling me you do not believe in competition or free enterprise?

So, I would have to assume you do not think we should have vegetable stands or ice cream trucks, since the grocery store would sell similar items and they pay more rent. While we are at it we should outlaw home nursing care for the elderly because after all we do have nursing homes who pay good money for those buildings. And, for heaven sakes, don't offer Johnny next door any money to mow your law when we have landscaping companies who have invested lots of dollars in their companies.

Maybe it would be helpful if I posted the definition of free enterprise for you. I just picked the first two I came across.

an economic and political doctrine holding that a capitalist economy can regulate itself in a freely competitive market through the relationship of supply and demand with a minimum of governmental intervention and regulation.

freedom of private business to organize and operate for profit in a competitive system without interference by government beyond regulation necessary to protect public interest and keep the national economy in balance