Local Government Coronavirus Closures
Last Update: 5/18/20 at 2:25pm
CTAR is working on your behalf to ensure transactions can take place during this unprecedented event. We are maintaining a list of industry related government office closures or adjustments.
We have been in constant contact with our elected officials to continue some level of commerce. If the governments decide to further explore the emergency ordinances and mandatory shutdowns, we ask they include the following: the abstracting of titles, permitting, inspection, construction, transfer and recording of ownership, of housing and anything incidental thereto, to be defined as essential services.
Public Services Resource List (Planning/zoning, Inspections, Deeds) –
Governor McMaster has launched AccelerateSC to assist the state in reopening of services and businesses. You can learn more by visiting the website
Local Elections Postponed due to COVID-19 –
City of Folly Beach, Town of Bonneau, and the City of Hanahan have had their local elections postponed to July 14th, 2020. Read the full list here
Clarification Assistance Provided by the South Carolina Department of Commerce –
If a business has a question as to whether they qualify as essential, they should complete the Essential Business Clarification form located on the South Carolina Department of Commerce website, which will be easily accessible on the South Carolina Department of Commerce’s website. Questions can also be sent to covid19sc@sccommerce.com, or business representatives can call 803-734-2873. A team from South Carolina Department of Commerce will review the business’s request for clarification, and the business will receive a response with their determination, essential or non-essential, within 24 hours. If a business is not explicitly addressed in the governor’s executive order, the business should continue normal operations until a determination is made.
Below you will find links to the State’s Business Resource Center, CDC Best Jobsite Practices Video, and SCDHEC’s latest update on the Coronavirus.
SC Department of Commerce’s COVID-19 Business Resource Center
CDC’s Best Jobsite Practices Video
SCDHES Coronavirus Disease 2019 Update Page
For those interested in utilizing the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Loan Assistance program, you can learn more at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
Charleston County– Charleston County has resumed normal operations and will be open 10:00 am to 2:00 pm until further notice. Read more here
All three offices will continue to be available by phone and email, the Auditor’s office additionally has a web-based chat function available. Citizens that need to file documents with the ROD may still drop off filings on the first floor of the County Office Building, located at 101 Meeting Street. The Treasurer encourages residents to utilize the online e-check feature to make their tax payments. That service is free of charge.
Dorchester County– Dorchester County offices will reopen to the general public beginning Monday, May 18th. Read more about visiting county offices here
While Dorchester County offices remain open: Administrative offices will be closed to the public. Everyone is asked to use the county website to submit permits, licenses, and schedule inspections – which will continue. The County is also waiving the convenience fee for transactions online. Deeds office is operational.
Berkeley County– Berkeley County will resume normal business hours and operations on Wednesday, May 20th. Read more here
County offices will be closed to the public but are still providing permitting, inspections, and plan review services. Their offices will continue to be available by phone, email, and drop-offs. Berkeley County Permitting/Plan Review will now only be accepting permits via email, and inspections will continue as usual but with limited contact. For permits that are already ready, they will be issuing those via email. Please note at this time the overall inspection process has not changed.
Colleton County– County offices will be closed to the public but still providing permitting, inspections, and plan review services. Their offices will continue to be available by phone email, and web-based services. The Register of Deeds will be able to accept documents via e-file, which can be accessed on their website, walk in documents by appointment only by calling 843-542-2745 or emailing dgusler@colletoncounty.org. For anything related to Building Permits, Planning & Zoning, Code Enforcement, or Floodplain Information – please call (843) 549-1709 extension 1255. All applications are available on the County website.
City of Charleston– The City of Charleston is discussing a reopening schedule. Council will deliberate on Tuesday, May 19th.
The city’s Permit Center will be closed to the general public. Many permits can be submitted online through the Citizen Access Portal (CAP). For permit types not yet configured in CAP, permit applications can be submitted digitally to permits@charleston-sc.gov. At this time, there will be no inspections of occupied structures. Inspections for unoccupied structures will continue as normal. City departments are implementing work-from-home policies that allow city services to continue. The city will also begin holding virtual meetings for council, committee, and commission hearings. The public is asked to submit questions and comments prior to the hearing. The city has entered into Shelter in Place. Due to the risk of spreading the Coronavirus, the city has worked to limit exposure to fellow citizens. You can find the list of essential services that will remain open during this indefinite period here.
City of North Charleston– City of North Charleston has resumed business operations and has opened the city hall to the public. Read more here
Building permitting will continue, however with very limited staffing, expect delays. Due to the lack of personnel any calls received after 9:00 am will be handled on a first come first served basis. Permitting hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Limited inspections will be conducted 9:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Building plans can still be submitted online for review by Zoning, Building, Fire, and Public Works, but expect a delayed response time due to limited staffing.
Town of Mt. Pleasant– On May 5th, 2020, Mt. Pleasant began eases restrictions on restaurants and businesses. The new guidelines are out of normal protocols in order to get businesses operating. For the latest allowances, visit here
Mayor Will Haynie issued a new proclamation (3/31) mirroring South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster’s Closure of Non-Essential Businesses executive order. Mayor Haynie’s new order revokes his order issued March 31 limiting businesses to only those that are deemed to offer essential services, and instead calls for the closure of non-essential businesses as defined in the Governor’s Executive Order 2020-17. Construction is still considered essential. Town offices will be closed to the public but are still providing permitting, inspections, and plan review services. Their offices will continue to be available by phone, email, and web-based portals (encouraged) available on their website. Inspections will continue but in a limited fashion. Staff will not have the ability to answer any incoming calls. Please be patient while awaiting any email responses and/or confirmations. To schedule an inspection for an open permit, please email inspectionsmp@tompsc.com. To submit a flood certificate, non-conversion agreement, Energy Test Results or a Manual J please email mpfloodsubmittal@tompsc.com. To submit for a building permit please visit their online applications webpage.
Town of Sullivan’s Island– Sullivan’s Island has removed restrictions for island and beach access. Read more here
On Sunday (3/22) Town Council passed an ordinance limiting access to Sullivan’s Island to residents, service workers, contractors, delivery services, medical service providers, care givers and the like. Sullivan’s Island Police will establish a checkpoint on SC-703 near the entrance to the Island. Residents should either have a driver’s license with a Sullivan’s Island address, Sullivan’s Island windshield decal or proof of ownership. Those attempting to access the Island for work should have proof of purpose, business license or other form of documentation. Guests must be accompanied onto the Island by residents.
City of Isle of Palms– On May 6th, Isle of Palms will remove barricades and access to the island during the day will be restored for non-residents. IOP has instituted a “keep it moving” policy. To learn more and other FAQs visit here
Building Department will continue to issue permits and licenses but all transactions will be handled via email. Online applications are available here. Once the City receives an application, the request will be reviewed and an invoice will be emailed to the applicant. Payments can be made by either mailing a check to P.O. Drawer 508, Isle of Palms, SC 29451 or physically dropping a check in the lock box at on the front porch of City Hall at 1207 Palm Boulevard. Building Department staff will be available by phone during regular business hours at (843) 886-9912. There will be limited days for site inspections.
Town of Kiawah Island– Town offices will be closed to the public but are still providing permitting, inspections, and plan review services. Their offices will continue to be available by phone, email, and web-based portals (encouraged) available on their website. Inspections will continue but in a limited fashion. If you need personal assistance, please contact Ed Monahan, Director of Livability, at 843-708-3611 (cell). In order to limit interactions, all commercial decals, with an expiration of March 31, are automatically extended until April 30.
Seabrook Island– Administrative offices will be closed to the public but are still providing permitting, inspections, and plan review services. Their offices will continue to be available by phone, email, and web-based portals (encouraged) available on their website. Inspections will continue but in a limited fashion. For assistance with business licensing, code enforcement, permitting and other town services during normal operating hours (Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm), please contact us by phone at (843) 768-9121 or by email at info@townofseabrookisland.org. The town’s code enforcement officers will remain active on the island as long as it is safe for them to do so.
Folly Beach– Folly Beach has removed restrictions on island access and activities. Short term rentals and hotel restrictions have also been restructured. Read more here
Effective April 7, no new short or long-term rental check-ins will be permitted through May 31st, no new family passes will be issued, existing passes will be honored, but otherwise the listed owner or resident must accompany any family members through the checkpoint in the same vehicle. To enforce these restrictions and the Governor’s orders regarding quarantine and the beach, the checkpoint will remain in place 24 hours per day. Construction and service businesses may continue, but the crew is limited to the job site premise only. Employees must have a copy of the building permit (if applicable) and the 2020 Folly Beach business license vehicle sticker or copy of current Folly Beach business license (or state license for real estate agents and appraisers). Please expect delays in processing new building permit and business license applications. To apply for a new permit or license, please visit the Virtual City Hall of Folly Beach’s website.
Town of Edisto– The city will be operational but only online and by phone. Full restriction of access to non-residents. Curfew ends on April 30 or a decision by town council. For those allowed to access the island read here.
Town of Hollywood– Planning, permitting, and inspection service updates are not available.
City of Hanahan– City offices will be closed to the public but are still providing permitting, inspections, and plan review services. Their offices will continue to be available by phone, email, and web-based portals (encouraged) available on their website. Inspections that are new construction, renovations of existing/unoccupied structures, or exterior work that does not require entrance into a home will continue as scheduled. All other inspections are being postponed and will need to be rescheduled once the State of Emergency is lifted.
City of Goose Creek– Goose Creek City Hall will reopen on Monday, May 18th at 8:30 am and the drive-thru remains open for those wishing to not enter the public building. Read more here
City offices will be closed to the public but are still providing permitting, inspections, and plan review services. Their offices will continue to be available by phone, email, and the city’s drive-through window to submit applications. All City water payments, permit applications, and business license payments will only be accepted at the drive-thru window at City Hall.
Town of Summerville– The Annex Building and Town Hall will reopen at 8:30 am on Monday, May 18th for normal operations. Read more here
Administrative offices will be closed to the public but are still providing permitting, inspections, and plan review services. Their offices will continue to be available by phone, email, and web-based portals (encouraged) available on their website. Inspections will continue but in a limited fashion. Inspectors will be attempting to keep a safe distance from people at the jobsite, the town asks to please respect this and communicate from a safe distance. The town will avoid inspections in occupied homes unless there is an emergency such as restoring power or gas.
Town of Moncks Corner– Administrative offices will be closed to the public. Builders are asked to use the city website to submit permits, licenses, and schedule inspections – which will continue but in a limited fashion. New construction inspections will be conducted from 7:00 am – 10:00 am. No one is to be on site during this time during any scheduled inspections. This does not prohibit work on other sites or after 10:00am. If there are people on site prior to or during the inspection, the inspection will be canceled and treated as a failure. The 2018 International Building Code defines a site as: 2018 IBC 202 SITE. A parcel of land bounded by a lot line or a designated portion of a public right-of-way.
