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Administrator's Office
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The Administrator’s Office serves as a referral source for citizens, businesses, organizations and other governmental agencies. This Office directs individuals to the proper County department.
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The Administrator’s Office responds to complaints regarding services provided by County departments and will help resolve the problem by working with the appropriate department.
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Hampton County does not require a business license. Contact individual municipalities for information on whether a business license is required within city limits
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Community Animal Shelter of Hampton (CASH) located at 460 Cemetery Road Varnville or you may contact them at (843) 943-7567 mailing address PO Box 1442 Varnville
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County offices are open Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
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Assessor
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Property tax is collected by local governments to provide for the many services most of us take for granted. Schools, police and fire protection, County roads, and public libraries are possible because of revenue from the property tax. We are all asked to pay our fair share of the cost of these services by paying tax in proportion to the market value of our property.
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If you own a home, you want to be sure to obtain the 4% assessment rate if you live in the home as your legal residence. Otherwise, your tax rate will be 6%. To obtain the lower rate, you will need to complete an application with the County Assessor. This should be done as soon as you move into your house, but may be filed anytime before January 15, when taxes are due. Once you file this application, you will not need to complete another one unless ownership changes our use of the property changes.
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Each homeowner is allowed an exemption of up to $100,000 of the home’s fair market value from property taxes for school operating costs. The amount of the savings will vary depending upon the millage rate for school operating costs in the school district where you live. The exemption applies only to your legal residence, not second homes, vacation homes, or rental homes. No application is needed for this exemption. It will automatically be reflected in your tax bill.
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Counties must mail a property tax assessment notice to all property owners whose property’s fair market increases by $1,000 or more. Assessment notice must be sent to the person listed as property owner as of December 31 of the prior year. The assessment notice is NOT a tax bill. The notice is simply to notify taxpayers of a change in their property’s value. Tax bills are mailed usually in September/October and must be paid by January 15. The assessment notice includes your market value, the new assessment value, the assessment ratio, number of acres or lots, location of property, tax map number and the appeals procedure.
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According to South Carolina law, appeals must be delivered in writing to the County Assessor between January 1 and March 1 of the tax year in question. (For example, appeals for the tax year 2005 will be due between Jan.1 2005, and March 1, 2005). If after receiving your assessment notice, you disagree with the new value assigned your property, you have the right to appeal. An appeal must be filed in writing within 90 days of the date of the assessment notice. You must file your appeal with the County Assessor. Don’t wait until your tax bill arrives to appeal your new value; it is too late then.
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Auditor
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The last day of the month or the due date
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To register a vehicle, you would need the title to the vehicle that you are registering. For new out of state vehicles, you would need the title or the sale contract.
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A mill levy is set to provide services in a county and millage is based on the tax base.
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Taxes are due to the County in which you reside
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DOR provides a mileage chart to use for deduction and you must provide us with the number of miles before taxes are paid.
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Taxes are payable to the County Treasurer or Tax Collector only.
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8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (except for legal holidays).
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Building Department
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The Building Department bases the cost of a building permit upon the value of construction.
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You must submit two complete sets of foundation, floor, typical wall section and electrical plans; a letter from the town stating they will supply water and sewage or a DHEC septic tank system.
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Yes, if you or your immediate family members are performing the work and you will live in your home for two years after the work is completed.
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No. There are different qualification requirements for each trade.
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You must bring me a title or a bill of sale or both and a DHEC septic tank system or a letter from a town stating they will supply water and sewage. If it is a used mobile home bought from an individual we need a moving permit from assessor’s office and paid tax receipt.
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Generally no. Permits are not required for minor, non-structural repairs.
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Call The Building Department at 803) 914-2127. Inspections can be scheduled the same day provided you call before 10 a.m.
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A form will be left at your home or job site with the results.
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Buildings and Grounds
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You can contact Buildings & Grounds (803)914-2135 or (803)914-2134.
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Clerk of Court
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See South Carolina Code of Laws §8-21-310.
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Original documents are mailed back within 7-10 business days.
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A case can be added to the roster for court after 120 days pursuant to Rule 40 (b). See South Carolina Judicial Department link on our “Links” page for Rules of Civil Procedure.
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Yes, a motion slip is required for all motions filed in the Court of Common Pleas.
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Our office does not provide record checks. We do provide a certificate as to anything filed of record at a cost of $1.00 per certificate. Individuals requesting the certificate must come into the office with proper I.D.
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When a case has been disposed of & ended either by plea, dismissal, etc. the money can be refunded to the original payee with proper I.D.
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This office does not handle any traffic violation tickets. Information concerning traffic tickets can be obtained by the Magistrate’s Office.
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This office does not have the capabilities to process credit card payments. We also do not accept personal checks. You may mail your child support payments to Hampton County Family Court, P.O. Box 7, Hampton, SC 29924. You must provide your case number(s) on all payments.
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For security purposes, payment information cannot be given over the telephone. You must appear in person to receive this information.
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You must serve on jury duty unless: 1. you are over 65 years old and choose not to serve; 2. you have provided this office with a doctors excuse or statement stating that you have an illness that will not allow you to serve; 3. you have a child under the age of 7 and do not work outside the home. Any other reason would have to be addressed by the judge presiding at the term. Under certain circumstances, you may be excused or transferred to another term of court.
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Council on Aging
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Our program starts at age 60 and goes up.
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No. To be eligible you have to be 60 years old or older and have a social or physical need.
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County Council
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County Council meets on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month at 6:00 PM. Meetings are held in County Council Chambers which is located in the B. T. DeLoach Building, 201 Jackson Avenue, West. Changes regarding the regular meeting schedule are published and announced on the local radio. All meetings are open to the public.
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Council asks that citizens requesting to be placed on the agenda send a written request to the Hampton County Council’s Office, Attn: Aline Newton, 201 Jackson Ave., W., Hampton, SC 29924. The request should list (1) Contact information for the citizen or group making the request, (2) the issue to be discussed, (3) what the citizen is requesting of Council regarding this matter, (4) the meeting date in which they are requesting to appear.
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You need to contact the Administrator’s office at (803)914-2100.
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Hampton County Council welcomes anyone interested in applying for a position on a Board or Commission. Mail a completed application to: Hampton County Council, Attn: Aline Newton, Clerk to Council, 201 Jackson Ave., W., Hampton, SC 29924. If you are unable to download the application form, please call (803) 914-2103 to request an application or e-mail Aline Newton at anewton@hamptoncountysc.org.
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Detention Center
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The arresting officer will explain your charges to you.
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Yes, as soon as the booking process is completed.
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The number of days you are sentenced to serve.
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If booked at night you will see the judge the following day or if booked during the day, the hours are from of 9:00am and 4:00pm Monday through Sunday.
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Emergency 9-1-1
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No. Although we work closely with EMS, we are not the same. EMS personnel are the ones that respond to the location or scene of the emergency. We are the ones who receive the 911 calls and dispatches EMS to these calls. We are not a sub-unit or division of EMS. We are a separate entity with different functions. We are the point of contact for EMS as to getting help where it is needed. It is common for dispatchers to be trained as medical technician or paramedics. But, remember we are also trained in police and fire assistance. Therefore; we are called public safety.
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No. We are located at 703 2nd Street West, Hampton and the jail is located at 411 Cemetery Road, Varnville. It is a common misconception that since we dispatch for Law Enforcement, we must be at the jail or police department. Although this may be the case in some areas, it is not in Hampton County. We are the point of contact for Law Enforcement in relation to getting help where it is needed. But once again, we are a separate entity.
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Emergency Preparedness
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1. First, a Damage Assessment Team assesses the damage of the affected and evacuated area. This team consists mainly of Public Safety Personnel.
2. If only minor damage exists specifically to utilities such as power, water and sewer, and roadways, County Officials make the decision for the time for re-entry.
3. If major damage occurred to buildings, utilities or roadways, the county provides property owners a time to visit and survey the damage of their property. To gain access to their property, owners must have a copy of the property title, or a tax receipt, or utility bill bearing the address of the property, and picture identification. A driver’s license showing a physical address is acceptable. Once utility companies restore damages and it is safe for entry, County Officials notify property owners that they may return to their property.
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When the Governor orders a "Mandatory Evacuation", it is required that everyone in the designated area leave. The "Mandatory Evacuation" Order carries the force of state law. In addition, once you leave the area, the order prohibits you from returning until the Governor suspends the order.
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Each individual and family in the evacuation zone should decide the best place to move to in the event of an evacuation. This may include staying with family or friends, or traveling to a motel outside the evacuation zone. Several local Red Cross Shelters also provide emergency shelter.
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Although we do not provide specific distances, EPD generally suggests a westward inland evacuation over 150 miles or whatever distance with which a person feels comfortable.
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Yes, most tie-downs will only keep the floor partially secured to the ground. The walls and roof may still blow away.
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EMS
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The EMS Director can be contacted by calling (803)914-2152 or (803)914-2151 or by visiting 703 2nd Street West, Hampton.
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Hampton County EMS has a total of six ambulances. We provide advanced life support services 24/7 out of 3 stations; Hampton, Estill and Yemassee. Three of our ambulances serve as front line units and three serve as our back up units. Not all ambulances in our area are owned by Hampton County. Hampton County ambulances are clearly marked on the front, back and sides of the unit. Many of the ambulances operating in Hampton County are operated by a for profit private ambulance service.
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Ambulances crews in Hampton County are on duty 24 hours a day. If you see an ambulance at a restaurant the crew is having a meal, however they are available to respond in case of a medical emergency.
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A paramedic is a person that usually works outside the hospital to provide initial medical treatment in the event of illness or injury. Paramedics work with many other professionals, such as firefighters, rescue, police, nurses, doctors and others, in order to provide treatment and stabilization to those in crisis. The paramedic is usually an extension of the doctor’s knowledge and skill. This means that the paramedic carries out examinations and treatments when a doctor is not available. There must be a high level of trust between the paramedic and the doctor.
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Finance & Human Resources
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Council meetings are normally scheduled for the first and third Mondays of each month at 6:00 PM.
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Contact the Clerk to Council for assistance.
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The Public Works department is the point-of-contact for road maintenance.
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The Fiscal Clerk handles accounts payable for the County and can provide information regarding scheduled payment dates.
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Contact Accounts Payable for a purchase order number prior to making a purchase. Depending on the monetary amount of the purchase, quotes may be required.
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Contact the Human Resources Department for benefits information.
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Fire Department
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Notify South Carolina Forestry Commission. For Residential yard debris call 1-800-986-5403 For all other burning call 1-800-777-3473
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Landfill
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Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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All County observed Holidays.
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$25.00 per ton for all items.
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No, there is no charge to citizens of Hampton County. All contractors are required to bring their debris to the Landfill and pay a disposal fee.
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Tipping fee is $25.00 per ton.
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No, only from within Hampton County.
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No, creosote is banned from C&D Lanfills.
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Bring it to the Landfill. We have a special container for this type of materials.
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Bring them to the Landfill for disposal. If you generate tires from a commercial source, you will be required to pay a disposal fee.
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Magistrates
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Magistrates hear several types of civil cases, the most common being Summons and Complaint (disputes over money, services, etc. valued at $7,500 or less), Claim & Delivery (procedures to recover personal property $7,500 or less), Evictions, Landlord/tenant disputes, Public Sales on Abandoned Property, and issuing Restraining Orders. You have to file a civil case in the County the defendant lives.
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After you have notified the defendant of your intent to file, you will come to one of the Magistrates’ Court and fill out an information sheet that will briefly outline your complaint and any damages you believe you are entitled. Be sure to have the defendant’s physical address or a description of how to locate their premises, supporting documentation such as notices of evictions, contracts, bill of sales, titles, certified receipts and letters if mailed, and any other pertinent information concerning your suit. The Civil Court Clerk will enter your information into the computer system and produce documents to sign for your particular case. Filing fees are due at the time of filing. Our fees are for Summons & Complaint $ 70.00, Claim & Delivery $ 55.00, Evictions $ 30.00, Summary Ejectment of Trespassers $ 55.00, Judicial Sales $ 35.00. There will be a $ 20.00 Process Service Fee for all complaints served in addition to the filing fee. If you have any questions please call and the Civil Clerk will be glad to help.
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One files civil cases in the county where the defendant lives or operates a business (if the claim is against the business itself). You may file civil suits against Corporations in the county where they do business.
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