Freedom of Information Act
South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (S.C. Code Ann. §30-4-30 et seq.) is the principal statutory enactment governing public records inspection. This Act guarantees the public a mechanism to observe and monitor the government’s activities by providing access to documents and records generated by local governmental bodies
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Exemptions: Certain records, such as active investigation documents, personnel records, or confidential legal communications, may be exempt from disclosure.
Submitting a FOIA Request
The following procedure is established to ensure that requests for information are expedited in an effective and efficient manner:
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• Written Format Required: All requests for information must be made in a completed written form or through our digital form.
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• Specificity: It is essential to be as direct and specific as possible when making a request, including details such as incident addresses, dates, or project titles.
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• Submission Methods: Written requests should be directed to the FOIA Officer or Fire Marshal. Hard copy requests may be mailed to the administrative office, and digital requests may be sent via email.
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Hard copy request should be sent to 146 Lady's Island Drive, Beaufort SC 29902 - Attn Fire Marshal.​​
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• Business Hours: Requests are typically received between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding district-observed holidays.
District Timelines
In accordance with statutory requirements for South Carolina, the following timelines apply:
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• Records < 24 Months Old: Receipt will be acknowledged within 10 business days, and records will be provided within 30 calendar days of the acknowledgment.
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• Records > 24 Months Old: Receipt will be acknowledged within 20 business days, and records will be provided within 35 calendar days.
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• Determinations: The District will notify the requester if a request is approved, denied in part, or if an extension is required
FEE SCHEDULE
Pursuant to statutory codes, the District may charge fees for the search, retrieval, and redaction of records. A 25% deposit of the estimated total cost may be required before processing begins.
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Service Type Rate
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Search/Retrieval (Staff) $15.00 / hour
Search/Retrieval (Director/IT) $25.00 / hour
Redactions (Legal Dept.) $75.00 / hour
Printed Records (up to 11x17) $1.00 first page; $0.25 each addl.
USB Drive / Digital Media $7.00 each
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Requesters who choose to have their information emailed (files under 15MB) typically will not incur photocopying fees.
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Legal Notice & Personal Information
PURSUANT TO S.C. CODE §30-2-50: A person or private entity shall not knowingly obtain or use personal information obtained from a local government for commercial solicitation. Violation of this provision is a misdemeanor subject to fines or imprisonment.
Additionally, certain sensitive information—such as description of crime scenes, witness statements, or protected medical information under HIPAA—may be redacted or removed from public reports to ensure accuracy and legal compliance.