About This Department

Emergency call-taking, dispatch coordination, and public safety communications.

Services & Responsibilities

Berkeley County 911 Communications receives and processes emergency calls and dispatches or coordinates responses involving law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical personnel.

Call 911 when immediate emergency assistance is needed. The listed department number is an administrative and non-emergency contact. The county also provides guidance about calling or texting 911.

Phone

843-719-4505

About This Department

Pet adoption, lost and found animals, shelter services, and animal care.

Services & Responsibilities

The Berkeley County Animal Center provides shelter and care for animals in need and helps reunite lost pets with their owners.

Residents can find information about adopting dogs and cats, lost and found pets, animal surrender procedures, volunteering, and supporting the shelter. Contact the center before visiting for intake or surrender services.

Phone

843-719-5050

About This Department

Property tax billing, personal property assessment, and tax exemptions.

Services & Responsibilities

The Auditor’s Office prepares property tax bills for real and personal property. Residents can find information about vehicle taxes, business personal property, available exemptions, millage, and tax calculations. The Auditor prepares tax bills; the Treasurer collects payments.

Phone

843-719-4309

About This Department

Building inspections, construction plan reviews, and county code enforcement.

Services & Responsibilities

Building & Codes Enforcement reviews residential and commercial construction plans, conducts building inspections, interprets building codes, and enforces applicable county codes.

Services include electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas, fire sprinkler and fire alarm, manufactured home, swimming pool, sign, and other construction inspections. Inspection requests and requirements are available through the official county website.

Phone

843-719-4758

About This Department

Circuit Court, Family Court, court records, filings, and jury services.

Services & Responsibilities

The Clerk of Court maintains records and processes filings for the Court of Common Pleas, General Sessions, and Family Court.

Services include civil and criminal case records, court filing information, jury information, Family Court records, and copies of divorce decrees. Marriage licenses are handled by Probate Court rather than the Clerk of Court.

Phone

843-719-4400

About This Department

Death investigations, cause and manner of death, and family assistance.

Services & Responsibilities

The Coroner’s Office investigates deaths falling within its legal jurisdiction, including sudden, unexpected, suspicious, violent, and certain medically related deaths.

The office works with law enforcement, medical providers, funeral homes, and families. It can provide information about death investigations, release of personal property, cremation permits, and appropriate next steps for relatives.

For urgent assistance or to report a death after hours, follow the official county instructions for contacting dispatch.

Phone

843-719-4566

About This Department

Past-due property taxes, delinquent payments, tax sales, and redemption information.

Services & Responsibilities

The Delinquent Tax Collector handles unpaid property taxes after bills enter the delinquent collection process. Services include delinquent tax payments, collection notices, levies, property tax sales, and related redemption information. Residents should contact this office about delinquent balances and tax sale procedures rather than ordinary current tax payments.

Phone

843-719-4030

About This Department

New property addresses, road naming, address corrections, and emergency addressing.

Services & Responsibilities

E911 Address Information maintains the county address database used for emergency response. The office assigns new physical street addresses, reviews street names, updates road and address information, and resolves discrepancies involving property addresses.

Property owners and developers can request new addresses or corrections and obtain guidance about address assignment requirements. This service is separate from 911 emergency call-taking and dispatch.

Phone

843-719-4113

About This Department

Business expansion, industrial development, workforce partnerships, and investment.

Services & Responsibilities

Economic Development works on industry recruitment, business retention and expansion, workforce development partnerships, and the identification of sites and buildings suitable for business investment. The department coordinates with public and private partners to support economic growth and employment opportunities.

Phone

843-719-4175

About This Department

Disaster preparedness, emergency planning, storm response, and recovery coordination.

Services & Responsibilities

Emergency Management coordinates disaster preparedness, emergency planning, countywide response support, and recovery activities.

Its responsibilities include emergency operations planning, preparedness exercises, coordination with response agencies, hazard mitigation, volunteer coordination, and public preparedness information. For immediate emergencies, call 911.

Phone

843-719-4166

About This Department

Emergency ambulance response, prehospital medical care, and EMS services.

Services & Responsibilities

Berkeley County Emergency Medical Services provides emergency medical response and prehospital patient care throughout the county.

The department supports emergency ambulance operations, medical response, and coordination with other public safety agencies. Call 911 for a medical emergency; the listed phone number is an administrative contact.

Phone

843-719-4180

About This Department

Road projects, construction inspections, transportation improvements, and infrastructure engineering.

Services & Responsibilities

The Engineering Department manages engineering and construction work for county road improvements, including transportation sales tax projects. It reviews and inspects certain roads and drainage facilities associated with development. Its responsibilities also include technical coordination for stormwater management. Water and sewer engineering is handled separately by Berkeley County Water & Sanitation.

Phone

843-719-4127

About This Department

Maintenance, repairs, landscaping, and upkeep of county-owned buildings and grounds.

Services & Responsibilities

Facilities & Grounds maintains county government buildings, grounds, and facility equipment. Its work includes building repairs, preventive maintenance, landscaping, and responding to facility service requests.

The department does not issue construction permits or perform building code inspections. Those services belong to Permitting and Building & Codes Enforcement.

Phone

843-719-4135

About This Department

County budgeting, financial reporting, accounting, and payroll.

Services & Responsibilities

The Finance Department maintains county financial records, prepares the annual county budget and financial reports, processes payments to vendors, administers employee payroll, and supports financial planning for county government.

Phone

843-719-4162

About This Department

Geographic information, property maps, zoning layers, and county mapping tools.

Services & Responsibilities

The GIS Department maintains geographic information and mapping resources for Berkeley County. Its services include property and parcel maps, zoning and political boundary data, street information, geographic datasets, map requests, and online GIS mapping applications.

Phone

843-719-4049

About This Department

County employment, job applications, employee benefits, and personnel services.

Services & Responsibilities

Human Resources supports Berkeley County government employment and personnel administration. Residents interested in county jobs can find employment opportunities, application information, hiring resources, and personnel contacts through the official department website.

Phone

843-719-4163

About This Department

County technology systems, digital services, and government IT support.

Services & Responsibilities

Information Technology supports Berkeley County government systems, digital infrastructure, technology services, and information security.

The department assists county offices with technology needs and supports the county website and digital services. Residents experiencing problems with county online resources can consult the official department website.

Phone

843-719-4004

About This Department

County legal affairs, ordinances, contracts, and public records guidance.

Services & Responsibilities

The Legal Department advises Berkeley County government, reviews county contracts and ordinances, supports legal compliance, and represents county interests.

The department also assists with Freedom of Information Act matters and provides resources about accessing public records.

County attorneys do not provide private legal advice to residents. Individuals seeking legal representation should consult appropriate attorney referral services.

Phone

843-719-4011

About This Department

Summary court services, traffic cases, small claims, and landlord-tenant matters.

Services & Responsibilities

Berkeley County Magistrate Courts handle qualifying criminal, traffic, and civil matters, including small claims, landlord-tenant cases, bond proceedings, and preliminary hearings.

The county operates multiple magistrate court locations. Confirm the appropriate court and location through the official court finder or locations directory before visiting.

Phone

843-719-4050

About This Department

Non-jury civil cases, foreclosure proceedings, and judicial sales.

Services & Responsibilities

The Master in Equity hears certain civil cases referred by the Circuit Court, including foreclosure proceedings and other non-jury matters.

The office conducts judicial sales, schedules hearings, and provides information about Master in Equity court proceedings. Court staff cannot provide legal advice.

Phone

843-719-4437

About This Department

Mosquito control, standing-water inspections, spraying, and treatment requests.

Services & Responsibilities

Mosquito Abatement works to reduce mosquito populations and related public health concerns through surveillance, larval control, adult mosquito control, inspections, and public education. Residents can request assistance for mosquito problems and review spray schedules, spray zones, and steps for eliminating standing water around homes.

Phone

843-719-4646

About This Department

Building permits, permit applications, inspections, and manufactured-home permits.

Services & Responsibilities

The Permitting Department processes applications for construction permits, manufactured homes, temporary uses, and other activities requiring county approval. Residents, contractors, and businesses can review permit requirements, submit applications, check permit status, and access online payment and inspection scheduling resources. Building & Codes Enforcement separately performs inspections and code reviews.

Phone

843-719-4292

About This Department

Zoning, development reviews, subdivision applications, and land-use planning.

Services & Responsibilities

Planning & Zoning administers county zoning and subdivision regulations, reviews development plans and plats, and supports long-range comprehensive planning.

Services include rezoning requests, zoning verification letters, variances, special exceptions, floodplain management, zoning maps, subdivision reviews, and zoning approvals for 911 addressing.

Phone

843-719-4095

About This Department

Marriage licenses, estates, wills, guardianships, and conservatorships.

Services & Responsibilities

Berkeley County Probate Court handles estate administration, wills and probate proceedings, adult guardianships, conservatorships, and certain mental health and treatment proceedings.

The Marriage License Division issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage license records. Residents can apply for a marriage license or request certified copies through the official online services website.

Probate Court staff can explain procedures but cannot provide legal advice.

Phone

843-719-4519

About This Department

County bids, requests for proposals, purchasing, vendor contracts, and surplus auctions.

Services & Responsibilities

Procurement coordinates the acquisition of goods, equipment, and services for Berkeley County government. Its responsibilities include competitive bids, requests for proposals and quotations, vendor purchasing procedures, contract administration, purchasing-card oversight, and disposal of surplus county property.

Businesses can consult the county procurement website for current bidding opportunities, solicitation documents, and contract information.

Phone

843-719-4137

About This Department

County news, media inquiries, press releases, and public announcements.

Services & Responsibilities

The Public Information Office communicates Berkeley County government news and announcements to residents and the media.

The office coordinates press releases, press conferences, public ceremonies, county social media, and public communications during emergencies or crises. Journalists can contact the office for media inquiries.

Phone

843-719-4205

About This Department

Real estate assessments, property values, exemptions, and assessment appeals.

Services & Responsibilities

Real Property Services maintains real estate assessment information and supports the county property valuation process.

Services include property assessments, reassessments, appeals, legal residence applications, ownership updates, and access to property search information.

For property tax billing or payment questions, consult the Auditor or Treasurer as appropriate.

Phone

843-719-4061

About This Department

Recorded deeds, mortgages, plats, land records, and property document searches.

Services & Responsibilities

The Register of Deeds records and maintains deeds, mortgages, plats, liens, and other documents related to real estate transactions in Berkeley County.

Residents, property owners, attorneys, and businesses can search available recorded documents, request copies, and review recording requirements. The office does not perform title searches or provide legal advice.

Phone

843-719-4084

About This Department

County road maintenance, potholes, drainage ditches, culverts, and service requests.

Services & Responsibilities

Roads & Bridges maintains county-maintained roads, roadside drainage systems, ditches, culverts, and certain public boat landings. Residents may request inspections or maintenance for potholes, damaged county roads, drainage concerns, and related infrastructure. Roads maintained by municipalities, SCDOT, or private owners may fall outside county responsibility.

Phone

843-719-4129

About This Department

Law enforcement, incident reports, crime prevention, and public safety.

Services & Responsibilities

The Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement services throughout Berkeley County. Residents can find information about reporting crimes, requesting records, crime prevention, inmate information, and contacting law enforcement.

For an emergency, call 911. The listed office number is for administrative and non-emergency inquiries.

Phone

843-719-4465

About This Department

Criminal prosecutions, victim assistance, and diversion programs.

Services & Responsibilities

The Ninth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office prosecutes criminal cases in Berkeley and Charleston counties.

Services include criminal prosecution, victim-witness assistance, Pre-Trial Intervention, and certain juvenile diversion programs. The office does not handle private civil lawsuits, divorces, or child support payments.

Phone

843-719-4529

About This Department

Stormwater drainage, runoff management, water quality, and flooding concerns.

Services & Responsibilities

Stormwater Management implements the county stormwater program, including water quality protection, runoff management, drainage regulation, inspections, and stormwater system inventories. Residents and businesses can find information about stormwater fees, permits, pollution prevention, and drainage concerns. Road and ditch maintenance requests may also involve Roads & Bridges.

Phone

843-719-4195

About This Department

Property tax payments, tax collections, refunds, and county revenue management.

Services & Responsibilities

The Treasurer’s Office collects real estate, personal property, motor vehicle, and other county taxes. It processes tax payments and refunds, maintains revenue collection records, and distributes collected funds to the appropriate government and taxing authorities. Residents can access official online tax payment information through the department website.

Phone

843-719-4040

About This Department

Veterans benefits, disability claims, pensions, survivor benefits, and assistance.

Services & Responsibilities

Berkeley County Veterans Affairs helps veterans and their eligible family members understand and apply for benefits.

Services include assistance with disability compensation, pension claims, survivor and burial benefits, military records, education benefits, and referrals for veteran services. The office helps residents navigate federal and state veterans benefit programs.

Phone

843-719-4023

About This Department

Voter registration, election information, absentee voting, and polling places.

Services & Responsibilities

The Berkeley County Voter Registration and Elections Office maintains voter registration records and administers county elections.

Residents can find information about registering to vote, updating voter information, absentee voting, voter identification, election schedules, precincts, and polling locations.

Election Day voters must use their assigned polling location. Early voting locations and hours may differ by election. Always verify current information through official election sources.

Phone

843-719-4056

About This Department

Water and sewer service, utility billing, solid waste, and customer assistance.

Services & Responsibilities

Berkeley County Water & Sanitation provides water, wastewater, and solid waste services within its service areas.

Customers can find information about paying utility bills, starting or stopping service, reporting water leaks or sewer problems, requesting assistance, recycling, convenience centers, and solid waste disposal.

Service availability depends on the property location and utility provider. For water or sewer emergencies involving a BCWS service, contact the utility directly.

Phone

843-572-4400