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This section contains a brief description of Charleston County Government departments that either engage in activities affecting business or offer services that may be beneficial to businesses. The Charleston County Office of Economic Development can help you navigate the many departments and programs. For customized service, contact our office first for assistance and direction.
CONTACT: Ashley Keene, Assistant Director for Economic Development in Charleston County at
(843) 958-4510 or akeene@charlestoncounty.org .
Charleston County Council serves as the legislative, policy-making body of county government through the adoption of ordinances and resolutions. Council members represent nine single-member districts, and each January, the members elect a Chairman and Vice Chairman to represent Council for that calendar year. Council annually approves budgets for the county's general fund, solid waste fund and several special revenue funds. Council also has budgetary oversight of several special purpose districts that provide services within Charleston County. The county operates under the Council-Administrator form of government, and the Administrator is hired by Council to serve as the County's Chief Administrative Officer. In addition to carrying out the directives and policies of Council, the Administrator oversees the day-to-day operations of county government. Council meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month (except July and August) in Council Chambers at the Lonnie Hamilton, III Public Services building located at 4045 Bridge View Drive in North Charleston.
Taxes, Fees & Property Records
The Assessor’s Office locates, lists and appraises the value of approximately 145,000 real property parcels and 11,000 mobile homes in Charleston County. It is the Assessor’s responsibility to assure that all properties are appraised fairly and equitably. Approximately 36% of Charleston County’s general revenues come from property taxes generated through the appraisal of real property. Property owners each pay a share of the cost of county services by paying taxes proportional to the value of their property. Property taxes are based on the market value of the land and buildings, although other methods of determining value are used as well.
The Auditor’s Office calculates millage to satisfy annual budget requirements for Charleston County, including 33 municipalities and other taxing authorities. The Auditor, an elected official, calculates, creates and mails tax bills for real estate, mobile homes, motor vehicles, watercraft, aircraft and business-owned personal property.
The Treasurer's Office collects real, personal, motor vehicle and other taxes and oversees their disbursement to County government, municipalities, schools and special taxing districts in Charleston County. The Treasurer, and elected official, also maintains records of revenues collected by these districts and invests any funds not immediately needed for disbursement.
The Delinquent Tax Division investigates and collects delinquent real and personal property taxes, penalties and levy costs; finds and notifies taxpayers of taxes owed; and maintains an accurate, up-to-date account of monies collected. Once a property tax bill is deemed delinquent (after March 15 of each year), the debt goes into execution and the county Treasurer sends the bill to the Delinquent Tax Department for collection.
The Revenue Collections Department collects accommodations fees for Charleston County and other governments; enforces and collects fees for business licenses for Charleston County and other municipal governments; assesses, bills and collects fees for the disposal of residential and commercial solid waste and for the pickup and processing of recyclables; bills for and collect fees from businesses and industries for operation of the County's Hazardous Materials Division; maintains all bankruptcy files involving funds owed to Charleston County; and collects fees for the federally-mandated Stormwater Management Program.
The Register Mesne Conveyance (RMC) Office records land titles, liens and other documents related to property transactions in Charleston County. The RMC, an elected official, must assure that all recorded documents comply with the requirements of federal and state recording statutes and are available for public review. The RMC office functions are: document archival; plat maintenance; public records maintenance; and real property transaction recording.
The Geographic Information Systems/Mapping Department (GIS/Mapping) manages, maintains and updates approximately 1,200 tax maps while overseeing the digital conversion and quality control of all real estate parcel information, including the initial conversion of existing data to computerized form. Data includes buildings, roads, hydrography, miscellaneous transportation routes and utilities. GIS/Mapping also maintains the files of aerial photography projects. This department is responsible for the dissemination of digital data to other county entities, including the Assessor, Planning and Public Works departments, while assisting with the implementation of their GIS needs and future applications.
Development & Construction
The Zoning & Planning Department administers the county’s Comprehensive Plan ordinance (adopted by County Council on April 20, 1999) and the Zoning and Land Development Regulations ordinance (adopted by County Council on Nov. 20, 2001) and prepares various studies and plans related to the current and future use of land in Charleston County. This department serves as the professional and technical staff for the County Planning Commission, which is an advisory body to County Council, and to the County’s Board of Zoning Appeals. This department also provides technical planning assistance to the towns of Kiawah Island, Meggett and Rockville. It coordinates with local emergency services to assure accuracy, consistency and agreement of addresses, street names and any newly annexed properties for use by the 9-1-1 emergency system.
The Building Inspection Services Department assures compliance with the International Building, Residential, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Fire, and Energy Conservation Codes; the National Electrical Code; and other construction-related federal, state and local laws to preserve the safety, health and welfare of county residents. The department functions are: building inspections; building plan reviews; building code enforcement; contractor licensing; flood plain management; and hazard related education. The department has a service agreement with the municipalities of Awendaw, Kiawah Island, Meggett, Ravenel, Rockville and Seabrook Island to provide inspection-related services within these jurisdictions also.
Legal System
The Clerk of Court’s Office administrative support to the 9th Judicial Circuit Court by: processing legal actions of a civil or criminal nature; maintaining case records, including records of judgments; recording transcripts of judgments from the Small Claims courts and out-of-county judgments; schedules civil jury and non-jury trials; and collects and disburses money as ordered by the court. The Clerk of Court, and elected official, also maintains records on the issuance of bonds for public improvements and records trade names for businesses.
The Magistrate Court Administration processes civil claims under $7,500; prepares documentation of criminal and traffic offenses for Magistrate Courts; informs tenants and landlords about landlord/tenant matters; schedules mediation sessions for disputes between parties; and provides information about how to proceed with civil or criminal matters.
The Solicitor’s Office prosecutes criminal cases in the 9th Judicial Circuit (Berkeley and Charleston Counties). The Solicitor, an elected official, provides a Worthless Check Unit, which operates to provide for the collection and distribution of restitution to the victims of worthless checks thereby reducing the burden to the victim regarding collections.
Emergency Services
The Emergency Management Department coordinates emergency preparedness and homeland security responsibilities. The department also includes the Awendaw Fire Department and is a liaison to the Charleston County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad. Using funding from Hazardous Materials (Haz Mat) fees paid by businesses and industry in the County, the department coordinates Haz Mat preparedness and response efforts through the Low Country COBRA (Chemical, Ordnance, Biological, Radiological) Team and the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), which consists of local emergency response officials and industry representatives responsible for Haz Mat control and response.
The Emergency Medical Service Department (EMS) provides medical care and transportation to hospital emergency rooms for citizens and visitors to Charleston County. EMS also provides field emergency medical support services which require specialized training and equipment; support to hazardous materials response teams and hazardous materials clean-up operations throughout the county; and assistance to area law enforcement agencies through the nationally recognized Special Weapons and Tactics Medic program.
The Sheriff’s Office focuses primarily on public safety. This is accomplished across a broad spectrum of responsibilities, ranging from community programs and court security to investigations and detention. The two main components of the Sheriff’s Office are law enforcement and detention. The Sheriff has jurisdiction throughout Charleston County, but deputies normally do not respond to routine, non-emergency calls for service within the jurisdictions of municipal law enforcement agencies. Sheriff’s Office deputies will assist other law enforcement agencies upon request and will respond to situations within the county when deemed necessary to ensure public safety. The Sheriff’s Office does engage in certain routine activities such as civil process, detention and warrants on a countywide basis. The Sheriff has the authority to enforce state law throughout the county, including incorporated areas. Deputies do not have the authority to enforce a city ordinance within the limits of the municipality unless that ordinance has been adopted as a county ordinance.
Other Services Impacting Business
The Environmental Management Department manages the disposal of solid waste and recycling for the entire county. Contained within the department are divisions devoted to specific tasks including recycling collection, disposal, environmental enforcement, recycling and educational programs. All residents of Charleston County are provided solid waste and recycling services by the county. However, Charleston County does not provide curbside trash and debris removal; that is provided by municipalities. Charleston County strongly encourages all businesses to recycle. Businesses can reduce their solid waste fees and garbage collection costs by removing recyclables from their garbage volume. Environmental Management staff is available to assist business and industry with plans for recycling and disposing of hazardous materials.
The Legislative Delegation Office serves as a liaison between the public, government agencies and the 21 elected state legislators who represent Charleston County. Seven state senators and 14 representatives comprise the delegation. This office processes all Notary Public applications filed by Charleston County residents and provides information about notary commissions to residents of other counties. Though state-mandated, the Delegation Office is county-funded.
The Grants Administration Department actively seeks available grant funding and provides administrative and financial oversight for county grant activities. This department administers federal Community Development Grants, which are designed to improve housing and neighborhoods in economically disadvantaged areas. It also manages the Charleston Development Corporation (CDC), a non-profit created to secure funding for charitable endeavors. This includes, but is not limited to, fostering residential housing development, reducing unsanitary water and sewage conditions, encouraging existing and new industrial growth, and addressing the problems related to the use of alcohol and other drugs.
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