Richland County offices will be closed to the public until further notice as the community deals with the global outbreak of COVID-19, or coronavirus, but many County services remain accessible.
County officials remind residents there are convenient ways to conduct business with the County during this public health crisis. Many services by the Auditor, Treasurer, Assessor and other County offices are accessible online, by phone, fax or through the mail.
Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center
201 John Mark Dial Drive, Columbia, SC 29209
https://jail.richlandonline.com/default.aspx
- Visitation is limited; for inmates, visitation is no-contact. Video visitation is still in effect, and video equipment is cleaned after each use.
- Inmates will be screened for COVID-19 before being accepted into custody. The center has two empty housing units available in case inmates test positive for the virus and need to be transferred.
- Volunteers cannot access the center until further notice.
Animal Services
http://www.richlandcountysc.gov/Government/Departments/Animal-Care
- All routine inquiries and requests for Animal Services, which includes Vector Control, will be addressed online, via email or by phone.
- The County will continue to respond to emergency and high-priority calls. These can include injured or sick stray animals, cruelty and neglect complaints, bite complaints and dangerous or aggressive dog complaints.
- Responses to low-priority calls are suspended until further notice. These include non-aggressive stray animal pickup, barking and nuisance complaints.
- A dropbox will be placed near the front entrance of the Animal Services office for pet licensing information. However, residents are encouraged to handle pet licensing online via https://etrakit.rcgov.us/etrakit3/.
- Vector Control staff will continue routine duties until further notice. Staff will interact with the public by phone.
- County staff and the public can access the Animal Services page on the County’s website, http://www.richlandcountysc.gov/Government/Departments/Animal-Care.
Assessor
richlandcountysc.gov/assessor
Email: assessoroffice@richlandcountysc.gov
803-576-2640
Fax: 803-576-2681
P.O. Box 192, Columbia, SC 29202
Online services are available for the following:
Auditor
richlandcountysc.gov/auditor
803-576-2600
P.O. Box 192, Columbia, SC 29202
Vehicle Taxes (by email)
rcauditor@richlandcountysc.gov
803-576-2600
Fax: 803-576-2605
This email is for vehicle appeals, high mileage, new purchases and new residents. To inquire about high mileage or appraisal value, send a copy of supporting documentation to the above email.
Homestead Exemption (by email)
HSE@richlandcountysc.gov
803-576-2610 or 803-576-2611
Apply for homestead exemptions by emailing a copy of the homestead application and supporting documentation listed on the County Auditor’s website. The information also can be faxed to 803-576-2606 or mailed to the Auditor’s Office at the above address.
Business Personal Property (by email)
BPP@richlandcountysc.gov
803-576-2621 or 803-576-2624
Go to the Auditor’s website and find the “Business Personal Property” tab to submit return and asset information. Information can also be faxed to 803-576-2606 or mailed to the Auditor’s Office at the above address.
Boat, Motor, Airplane (by email)
BMP@richlandcountysc.gov
803-576-2615
To register a boat or motor, email a copy of the signed registration card or bill of sale. Those appealing the value of a boat or motor can email a copy of the appraisal form from a licensed boat dealer.
Development Services
richlandcountysc.gov/DevServ
Email: devservices@richlandcountysc.gov
803-576-2140
Various building and permitting matters can be conducted online. Contractors with a contractor’s eTrakit account can apply for permits, schedule inspections and pay for services online. Customers applying for permits by email can mail a check or money order to Richland County Building Inspections, 2020 Hampton St., Suite 1020, Columbia, SC 29204. Permits will be issued upon receipt of payment.
Emergency Services Department (ESD)
Email: esd@richlandcountysc.gov
- The ESD headquarters and Emergency Operations Center (EOC) are closed to the public. Visitors are not allowed at Emergency Services stations.
- Richland County EMS will only respond to emergency calls. Response times could be longer during peak periods.
- Patients might have to be taken to the nearest hospital instead of their preferred facility.
- EMS has increased its sanitation of vehicles and equipment, according to CDC guidelines.
- EMS crews must don the appropriate level of personal protective equipment. This could mean potential delays in entering homes or businesses.
- During a call, a patient or family member might be asked to talk with an EMS supervisor by phone to get additional instructions while the EMS unit is en route.
- In some cases, only one EMS worker might approach a patient. More workers could be used as needed, depending on the patient’s condition.
- EMS is not accepting requests to cover special events.
- Fire marshal inspections are being conducted as scheduled; this is subject to change.
- For more information, email esd@richlandcountysc.gov.
Finance
www.richlandcountysc.gov/Government/Departments/Business-Operations/Finance
Procurement: www.richlandcountysc.gov/Businesses/Procurement-Contracting
Finance Department, P.O. Box 192, Columbia, SC 29202
803-576-2100 (accounts receivable), 803-576-2093 (accounts payable)
Water and sewage fees and landfill tipping charges can be paid online. Residents can apply for water/sewer service by calling in and paying by credit card or by printing an application and mailing it to the above address. For roll carts, residents should mail in their payment with service address information.
Public Works
http://richlandcountysc.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works
- Solid Waste and Recycling will continue on normal schedules.
- The following essential functions will continue: road maintenance and projects, landscaping, tree trimming/pruning, signal and streetlight maintenance, flood response, and inspecting and repairing hazardous drainage issues and illicit discharges.
- Staff in-person contact with residents will be limited, according to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on social distancing. Public access to the Public Works facility is restricted.
- Education and outreach events are postponed to reduce residents’ exposure.
- The Special Services Division is suspending its involvement for at least two weeks to limit exposure for inmates and community service clients.
Treasurer
richlandcountysc.gov/treasurer
Email: treasurer@richlandcountysc.gov
803-576-2250, option 2
P.O. Box 11947, Columbia, SC 29211
- Residents can look up tax bills and make tax payments online.
- Receipts, decals and registrations are mailed within three to five business days to the owner of record upon payment.
- Payment drop-off only service is available at area Synovus Bank branches:
- Columbia Main, 1241 Main St., Columbia
- Gamecock, 1311 Pendleton St., Columbia
- Sandhills, 217 Forum Dr., Columbia
- Trenholm, 27 Trenholm Plaza, Columbia
- Devine, 2401 Devine St., Columbia
- Irmo, 1363 Lake Murray Blvd., Irmo
- Lower Richland, 7851 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia
Utilities
http://www.richlandcountysc.gov/Government/Departments/Utilities
803-576-2094 or 803-576-2099
803-401-0050 (service applications)
Dropbox: 7525 Broad River Road, Irmo, SC 29063
- Payments will continue to be accepted online, over the phone, by mail and dropbox. Residents could face delays in processing times.
- Water/sewer service terminations for non-payment are suspended until further notice.
- Payment arrangements and delinquency procedures will be modified, as will the County’s policy for requests for water to be restored. Call 803-576-2094 with questions.
- County staff will continue most operations with enhanced safety precautions.
Water/Wastewater
803-401-0050 (tap sales)
- Water provided by the County is clean and safe to drink. The County’s disinfection and treatment practices are very effective against viruses, including COVID-19.
- All water and wastewater operations will continue. Emergency plans have been implemented to ensure the water supply and environmental protection through effective wastewater management.
- The County will respond to calls about leak repair, restoration and sewer on a prioritized basis. Minor issues could see a delayed response.
- In-person water and sewer tap sales are suspended. For tap sales, call the above number.
Residents are urged to follow the County’s social media platforms and regularly check the County website, richlandcountysc.gov, for updates.