FAQs

Q:

Who do I notify if a street light is out?

A:

Call the SCE&G office at (843) 549-8600 or City Hall at (843) 782-1000 to report street light outages.

Q:

Where do I find a city map? Is there an on-line map?

A:

The Walterboro-Colleton Chamber of Commerce has maps available. Call the Chamber at (843) 549-9595 or visit www.walterboro.org.

Q:

Where can I register to vote?

A:

In the City of Walterboro, you may register to vote at the Board of Voter Registration office at 115-A Benson Street or call (843) 549-2842 for more information.

Q:

Where do I obtain a passport?

A:

Passport applications are handled by the Colleton County Clerk of Court's Office in the County Court House at 101 Hampton Street, Walterboro, SC 29488. Call the Clerk of Court at (843) 549-5791.

Q:

Where do I get a marriage license?

A:

At the Probate Judge Office, call (843) 549-7216.

Q:

Where do I pay my property taxes, car taxes, etc.?

A:

The Colleton County Treasurers Office takes care of all City and County taxes. You can call them at (843) 549-2233 or go by their office at 31 Klein Street.

Q:

Do all business have to buy a business license? If so, what information is required?

A:

Yes, if the business is being operated in the city limits. There is a standard form that has to be completed.

Q:

If I'm working out of my home do I need a license?

A:

Home occupations are subject to a business license fee. The location alone cannot be the basis for exemption.

Q:

Why do rates double for non-residents?

A:

Due to city ordinances, non- residents pay double for city services. This difference in classification has been upheld by the Supreme Court.

Q:

Must a business that loses money pay for a business license?

A:

Yes, the business license fees are based on total income from the business activity without deductions for expenses. The fact that expenses exceeded income in a particular year does not provide an exemption.

Q:

How does one become a City-licensed Contractor?

A:

Those who are licensed by the State of South Carolina as a contractor are eligible to request City licensure as a contractor.

Q:

As a homeowner, can I get the required permit(s) to work on my house without a contractor?

A:

Yes, if you or your immediate family members are performing the work and if you will live in your home for at least two years after the work is completed.

Q:

Who can I employ to perform construction work on my property?

A:

Other than the homeowner or his immediate family, only City-licensed contractors are permitted to work on your property.

Q:

How long does a contractor's license last?

A:

A contractor's license is valid from the day of issue through December 31st of that same year.

Q:

Can general contractors perform work such as electrical, plumbing or mechanical?

A:

No. There are different qualification requirements for each trade, and various agencies in the state of South Carolina offer the necessary exams.

Q:

Do I need a permit if my project is under $500?

A:

Generally, no. Permits are not required for minor, non-structural repairs.

Q:

How do I schedule an Inspection?

A:

Call the Building Department at (843) 782-1000. Inspections can be scheduled for the same day, provided you call before 10 a.m. You will need to provide your permit number, job site address and the type of inspection needed. Please be sure all work has been completed before requesting an inspection.

Q:

How will I know the results of my inspection?

A:

The results of your inspection will be posted and signed on the permit at the job site.

Q:

How do I obtain a Building Permit application?

A:

You may obtain a building permit application from our office at 242 Hampton Street or call (843) 782-1000 and one can be faxed to you or visit the Code Enforcement page on this website.

Q:

How much does a Building Permit cost?

A:

The Building Department bases the cost of a building permit upon the value of construction and type of construction. You may request a copy of the fee schedule by calling (843) 782-1000.

Q:

I missed my court date, what do I do?

A:

When you fail to appear for court, you are tried in your absence. If found guilty, bench warrant will be issued for your arrest and you will receive notification that your driver's license will be suspended. The appropriate action would be to contact the Clerk of Court Office immediately to find out the amount of the fine(s) and pay it right away. You will generally not get another court date.

Q:

I cannot attend court on my scheduled court date, can I reschedule?

A:

Under certain circumstances, you may request a 2 week continuance. You must contact the Clerk of Court prior to your court date.

Q:

Can I get a Public Defender?

A:

If you have been charged with a General Sessions charge, you can contact the Colleton County Clerk of Court to inquire about a Public Defender. If you have been charged with a municipal charge, there is no Public Defender available.

Q:

Can I make monthly payments on fines?

A:

If you appear for court, and are found guilty you will be expected to pay you're your fines at that time. In certain instances, you may be given 30 days to pay your fine. We do not accept partial payments. Each fine must be paid in full at one time.

Q:

What form of payment do you accept?

A:

We accept cash in our office, as well as cashier's checks or money orders, payable to the City of Walterboro.

Q:

Can I appeal the Judge's ruling?

A:

Notice of Appeal must be delivered to the Municipal Court Clerk within 10 days after your court date. An appeal bond must be posted until final disposition of your Appeal Hearing. Your notice of Appeal should contain the following information: citation or warrant number, your full name, address and phone number and a full explanation of your reason to appeal the Judge's decision.

After filing your appeal with the Municipal court, the court will then file your Appeal along with the Judge's return to the Court of Common Pleas. You will be notified by the County Clerk's office as to your hearing for your Appeal.

Q:

My license was suspended for failure to appear or for failure to pay fine. How do I get my license back?

A:

If the ticket you have received was issued by the City of Walterboro Police Department, you must pay the fine at Municipal Court. The court will provide you a copy of Form DL-53.

South Carolina Drivers:
You must present in person at a local DMV Office or mail the blue copy of Form DL-53 to:
Driver Records
Drawer 100178
Columbia, South Carolina 29202-3178
Telephone: 803-737-4000

If the compliance is not received in the Driver Records Office before the beginning date of the suspension, a $100.00 reinstatement fee will be required by the State in order for the suspension to be withdrawn.

Out of State Drivers:
You must present or mail the blue copy of Form DL-53 along with any applicable reinstatement fees to the state in which you are a licensed driver. Any questions you may have concerning reinstatement fees or driver's license suspension must be directed to your home state.

Q:

Where do I pay a parking ticket?

A:

In the Police Department at 242 Hampton Street.

Q:

Do Victims pay for incident reports?

A:

No but they do pay for accident reports.

Q:

Is there a charge for accident reports?

A:

Yes accident reports are $5.00 per report.

Q:

Where do I pick up incident reports?

A:

Reports are picked up in the records department at City Hall.

Q:

Where do I as a victim request to sign a warrant?

A:

Victims sign warrants at the clerk of court office 248 Hampton Street in the white building next to the police department where you pay your water bill.

Q:

Where do I as a victim sign a restraining order?

A:

Restraining orders are signed through magistrate Campbell's Office at 40-B Klein St.

Q:

Is there any paper work I will need in order to sign a restraining order?

A:

Yes, you will need a copy of your incident report.

Q:

Where are speeding and other tickets paid?

A:

Traffic tickets and other city issued citations are paid at the Clerk of Court office at 248 Hampton St in the white building next to the City Hall.

Q:

How can I have an arrest expunged from my arrest record?

A:

Contact the Solicitors office at 1-803-943-3580.

Q:

Why is an arrest still on my arrest record after the charge was dismissed or my when I was found not guilty?

A:

Even though the charge was dismissed or you were found not guilty the actual arrest will still appear on your arrest record until you have it expunged.

Q:

Who do I call to report a pothole?

A:

The streets in the City are owned and maintained by the SCDOT. For repair of potholes and the like call the SCDOT Maintenance Office at (843) 538-8031.

Q:

When is residential garbage pickep up?

A:

Residential garbage is scheduled to be picked up twice a week.

Q:

When is my water bill due?

A:

Your water bill is due upon receipt. You have twenty-five days to pay bill before 10% penalty is applied. After 10% penalty is applied you have until the 15th of the following month to pay. On the 16^th we apply a ten dollar late charge and then on the 17^th we apply a thirty dollar processing fee.

Q:

How could I use so much water?

A:

Most people would be surprise by the amount of water they use in a day. The average person uses 150 gallons a day. While much of that is put to good use for such necessities as bathing, cooking, and cleaning, almost all of us could cut down on our water use by following a few easy tips:

An other wise undetectable leak in your toilet can waste hundreds of gallons of water per day. Test for leakage by adding a few drops of food coloring to the tank. If color appears in the bowl within 30 minutes, call a plumber.

Turn off the water when brushing your teeth or shaving. This will save you 3 to 6 gallons of water each minute the faucet is turned off.

Non-conserving shower heads put out between 6 and 10 gallons a minute. So try to keep your shower time to a minimum. If you use a shower for rejuvenation, consider a long soak in the bathtub instead.

If you're remodeling, insulate pipes connecting the hot water heater to fixtures and appliances. Water will heat up and reach a constant temperature more quickly.

Q:

Do you accept partial payments?

A:

It is our policy not to accept partial payment since we give you 45 days from the time the bill is mailed until we turn water services off.

Q:

Do you accept credit card payments?

A:

We do not accept credit card payment; however we do automatic draft from your checking accounts.

Q:

How long will it take my water services to be restored once it has been disconnect?

A:

We try to get your water services turned back on as soon as possible. Your water will be turned back on the same day, however we will not be able to go out there immediately and turn it back on.

Q:

How much of a notice will you need to turn water services on or off?

A:

We will be able to do this the same day as long as you come in before 4:00 pm.