Horry County Business License & Hospitality Fee Division- HC Treasurer

08/13/2026

I will always fight for “We The People”! 🇺🇸

Can Horry County actually pull a business license because somebody doesn't like your zoning request?

Short answer, from the woman whose office issues them: no.

As the fight over Ward's Soft Serve and Ward's Boat Storage heads to a September 3 rezoning hearing, one claim keeps circling — that the business could lose its license if things don't go its way.

Horry County Treasurer Angie Jones isn't having it.

"It takes more than a threat to take a business license," Jones told MyrtleBeachSC News.

Here's the part most people don't know: revoking a license isn't a phone call and a padlock. Under South Carolina's Act 176, local governments running license programs have to spell out exactly how a suspension notice gets served, who hears the appeal, and what evidence counts. Written notice. Stated reasons. A hearing date. A hearing before council or its designee — BEFORE anything is final.

A zoning dispute doesn't flip that switch. At most, it starts a process with multiple checkpoints built in.

The one real exception? Genuine public health or safety threats. State law lets municipalities shut those down as nuisances. Jones says nothing about Ward's comes close.

"My job is to get businesses in business," she said. "Unless it's a public safety issue, holding up a business license — or taking one — just isn't realistic."

Now here's the wrinkle nobody's saying out loud. 👇

Jones's position isn't purely philosophical. It's fiscal.

Horry County's hospitality fee applies to prepared or modified food and drink sold for immediate consumption. A scoop of soft serve? That counts. A pint of ice cream pulled off a shelf and rung up as-is? It doesn't.

Same freezer aisle. Different math for the county.

One funds tourism and infrastructure projects. The other funds nothing.

So when Jones says she'd rather see soft serve than packaged ice cream in Horry County — she's not just talking about dessert.

"I work for the people," Jones said, "and the people win again."

September 3. Put it on your calendar.

📌 Full story with the statutes [https://myrtlebeachsc.com/wards-wont-lose-its-license-over-the-zoning-fight-treasurer-says-its-not-that-easy/]

08/13/2026

https://myrtlebeachsc.com/wards-wont-lose-its-license-over-the-zoning-fight-tr

As the fight over Ward's Soft Serve and Ward's Boat Storage heads toward a September 3 rezoning hearing, one thread in the debate has taken on a life of its

08/06/2026

Moody's Ratings reaffirmed South Carolina's Aaa credit rating, the highest rating the agency awards, recognizing our state's strong financial position and disciplined fiscal management.

A top credit rating means South Carolina can borrow at lower interest rates, helping save taxpayer dollars while supporting investments in roads, schools, bridges, and other essential public services.

Treasurer Curtis Loftis is proud of the dedicated professionals in the State Treasurer's Office and the collaborative efforts across state government that help keep South Carolina among the nation's strongest financially.

Read the full release: https://treasurer.sc.gov/about-us/newsroom/moodys-reaffirms-south-carolinas-highest-credit-rating-helping-protect-taxpayer-dollars/

08/02/2026

06/29/2026

NOTICE OF UPCOMING HOLIDAY CLOSURE

All Horry County Government offices and facilities will be closed Friday, July 3, 2026, in observance of Independence Day.

Horry County public safety agencies will remain operational throughout the holiday. In the event of an emergency, please dial 9-1-1.

For a non-emergency requiring public safety assistance, please call our non-emergency line at 843-248-1520.

05/25/2026

05/19/2026

NOTICE OF MEMORIAL DAY CLOSURE

All Horry County Government offices and facilities will be closed Monday, May 25, 2026, in observance of Memorial Day.

Horry County public safety agencies will remain operational. In the event of an emergency, please dial 9-1-1.

For a non-emergency requiring public safety assistance, please call our non-emergency line at 843-248-1520.

04/09/2026

WATCH FOR NOTICES

Keep an eye out in coming weeks for these bright green envelopes that say "Horry County Exemption Audit Notice".

If you receive one, please do not throw it out!

This is your reminder that the Assessor's Office is missing documentation regarding legal residence applications. Missing documents can be submitted via email, fax or mail.

These notices are being sent this week to anyone who was given "provisional or conditional" approval of their legal residence status.

The deadline to turn in missing documents to avoid a rebill at the higher rate is May 31, 2026.

Have questions? Contact the Horry County Assessor's Office at (843) 915-5040 or email us at [email protected]

(Note: 'Legal Residence' is the statewide special tax assessment for those who own and live in a home in SC full-time. If you do not currently receive that special assessment, you can apply online at our website.)

04/05/2026

Happy Easter from