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Contact Information, Office Hours
Functions, Office Responsibilities
Offices and Departments Providing Services
FAQ's, Common Terms, History, Interesting Facts
Functions
The East Cooper, North Area and St. Paul's Service Centers address the needs of citizens who once had to travel great distances to conduct business with the County. Charleston County spans a distance of approximately 100 miles from Edisto Island to South Santee.
Given the location of each Service Center, the level of services available to the public is greatly improved through superior accessibility. The Service Centers work closely with representatives of the Assessor's, Auditor's and Treasurer's offices, and Building Services, Delinquent Tax, Planning and Voter Registration departments to provide the taxpayer with efficient and convenient service.
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The Service Centers Do
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Accept payments for current and delinquent personal and real property taxes |
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Register voters |
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Help citizens apply for owner-occupied or homestead exemption taxation |
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Process and issue applications for building and zoning permits |
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Review building design drawings |
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Maintain a public access terminal |
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Renew and issue new business licenses |
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Distribute Charleston County recycling bins (East Cooper and North Area only) |
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Organize outgoing mailers for various County departments |
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Accept fees for many other departments |
The Service Centers Do Not
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Handle or process assessment appeals (See Board of Assessment Appeals) |
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Distribute absentee ballots (See Board of Elections and Voter Registration) |
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Accept payments for returned "not sufficient funds" checks originally written at the Service Center (Contact the respective department) |
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Collect payments for water, electricity, phone or cable TV bills |
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Issue license plates, registration stickers or driver's licenses |
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Collect delinquent taxes involved in a delinquent tax sale (See Delinquent Tax) |
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Register mobile homes or provide decals (See Planning ) |
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Offices and Departments Providing Services
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Frequently Asked Questions
| Q: |
Where can I get license plates or a driver's license? |
| A: |
The S.C. Department of Public Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has two locations convenient to Service Center patrons. There are DMV offices located within the East Cooper Service Center and next door to the North Area Service Center. (For other DMV locations call (800) 442-1368) |
| Q: |
At which Service Centers can I register to vote? |
| A: |
All three. |
| Q: |
I'm building a house. What kind of permits can I get at the Service Centers? |
| A: |
You can file for electrical and construction permits. Appointments for inspections, however, must be made through Building Services ; they cannot be set up through the Service Centers. |
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Common Terms
Public Access Terminal --A public access computer terminal which citizens can use to check the tax payment status of real and personal property.
History
Realizing the vast area of Charleston County and the great distances citizens had to travel to transact business in person, County Council opened the East Cooper Service Center in the spring of 1993. The St. Paul's Service Center opened in January 1994, and the North Area Service Center opened in January 1997.
Interesting Facts
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In 1993, the East Cooper Service Center was awarded the J. Mitchell Graham Award from the S.C. Association of Counties, the highest award given in the state, for progress and achievement by a county government. |
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Contact Information
East Cooper Service Center
1189 Iron Bridge Road, Room 400
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 856-1203
(843) 856-1204 (Fax)
North Area Service Center
Lonnie Hamilton, III Public Services Building
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 202-6691
(843) 202-6698 (Fax)
Office Hours
East Cooper and North Area Service Centers
Monday-Friday
8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
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