FOIA

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Section 30-4-10 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, 1976 as amended, is commonly known as the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The Act provides guidelines and time limits for local governments to respond and produce documents requested pursuant to FOIA and must post the fee schedule for compliance with such requests.

Fee Schedule

Copies: 25 cents per page

Maps

Standard maps (Zoning, City Limit, Dvmt)                                                                                          

11 in X 17 in.....…………...$5.00                                                                       

24 in X 36 in …………….$25.00                                                                    

Custom maps

8.5 in X 11 in ……………...$5.00                

24 in X 36 in …………….$50.00 

11 in X 17 in ……………….$10.00

Reports

MZDO ……. $20.00

Comprehensive plan ….$15.00

Compact Disks of Recordings: $8.00 per CD

Research/Preparation: $25 per hour. The first hour is free.

Postage: Requests that require more than $5 in postage or other fees may be charged the actual cost incurred.

Deposit

Payment in part or in full of any fees charged may be required prior to the release of records. If the cost of responding to the request is estimated to be $200 or more, than a minimum deposit amount to at least half of the estimated cost will be required.

Please note that Section 30-2-50 of the South Carolina Code of Laws provides that “A person or private entity shall not knowingly obtain or use personal information obtained from a state agency, a local government, or other political subdivision of the State for commercial solicitation directed to any person in this State” and “A person knowingly violating the provisions of subsection (A) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined an amount not to exceed five hundred dollars or imprisoned for a term not to exceed one year, or both.”