Hello Buskers! So you may have seen our emails or checked out our posts about Busking around town. Well, check out this page to catch up on all the latest happenings for buskers.
“A Busker is a person who performs in public areas; accepts donations from the public; and has obtained a permit pursuant to the ordinance.
“Perform” includes, but is not limited to the following activities; acting, singing, playing musical instruments, pantomime, juggling, magic, dancing, reading, puppetry, sidewalk art and reciting. Buskers shall not offer items for sale but they may offer items in exchange for a donation.”
Buskers are a vital part of our burgeoning arts community. Artistic performances enliven our growing entertainment districts while further cementing the creative community we have in our city. So if you’re a Busker looking for events and spaces to perform, check out this page for the happenings in town!
Permits can be obtained from the City of Columbia Business License Division located at 1339 Main Street (first floor) between 8:30am and 5pm Monday through Friday.
$15 annually (from date of issuance) — $2.50 daily (up to 3 consecutive days) — $5 for replacements
The Regulations
Information on Busking in Columbia (pdf)
Application (pdf)
Ordinance (detailed rules and requirements)
Noise Ordinance for the City
City of Columbia Licenses and Permits
The full text of the busking ordinance (2012-057) is available here: https://bit.ly/2mDekna
Contact the City of Columbia Business License Division
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 147,
Columbia, SC 29217
Physical Address: 1339 Main Street (1st Floor),
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: 803-545-3345 | Fax: 803-988-8025
Email Address: BusinessLicenseMail@columbiasc.gov
Office Hours: Mon-Fri – 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.