Charleston, SC · Charleston County
Sidewalk Cafe Permit Application
This application requests a permit for a sidewalk café and is filed by the business owner or applicant with the City of Charleston Zoning Desk, along with required attachments and the application fee.
- licensed online notary
- ~15 min average
- Notarized PDF emailed
What you’ll need
- Government-issued photo ID
- Webcam-enabled device (laptop or phone)
- This form, ready to upload as a PDF
What this form is
The application provides business and license information, proposed café dimensions, table and seating counts, and operating days and hours. The business owner or applicant submits it with a signed and notarized affidavit, measured plans, site and furniture photos, proof of insurance, and the $200 non-refundable fee to the Zoning Desk in the Permit Center at 2 George Street. Incomplete applications may be returned for revisions.
Who needs it
A business owner or applicant seeking a City of Charleston permit to operate a sidewalk café must submit this application and its required attachments.
How to get this notarized
- 1
Download The Application
Download the City of Charleston Sidewalk Cafe Permit Application and review its instructions and required attachments.
- 2
Fill In The Application
Enter business and license details, café dimensions, seating, and operating days and hours; gather the listed plans, photos, insurance, and fee.
- 3
- 4
Sign On Video
Follow the notary’s instructions and sign and swear to the affidavit during the online notarization.
- 5
Submit To The City
Submit the completed application, notarized affidavit, attachments, and fee to the Zoning Desk in the Permit Center at 2 George Street.
Preview the form
The blank PDF straight from Charleston. Look it over, then upload your filled copy to start the notary session.
You’ll need ID and a webcam.
A licensed online notary will join you on video, verify your government-issued ID, witness your signature, and apply their seal. You’ll receive the notarized PDF by email when the session ends.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I submit the sidewalk café application?
- Complete the application, gather the required plans, photos, insurance certificate, and notarized affidavit, and include the $200 fee. Submit everything to the Zoning Desk in the Permit Center at 2 George Street.
- Do I need to have the affidavit notarized?
- Yes. The application checklist and required attachments both call for a signed and notarized affidavit. Its signature block says the signer is to sign and swear before a notary.
- Can I sign the affidavit with an online notary?
- South Carolina has not authorized its own notaries to perform remote online notarizations. A commissioned online notary acting under the law of the jurisdiction where the notarization occurs may provide a certificate recognized in South Carolina; confirm acceptance with the city or town if unsure.
- What attachments does the application require?
- The form lists measured plans, site and café-element photos or specifications, a notarized affidavit, proof of insurance naming the City as additional insured, and the $200 non-refundable fee.