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In March 2026, the South Congaree Town Council, with input from administrative staff, met to establish a Vision statement, a Mission statement, and to identify immediate and long-term goals for the Town of South Congaree. The Vision statement reflects the desired outcomes for the town, while the Mission statement expresses Council’s purpose in managing the town’s business. Our Vision and Mission, supported by our Values—those beliefs and principles that guide decisions—result in Goals that support current policies and build initiatives for the future of a better South Congaree. COUNCIL'S GOALS AND PRIORITIES 2026

Do your part to make your community a better place, be a volunteer! The Town of South Congaree is looking for people that are willing to serve on our Planning Commission & Finance Committees. These important committees have a great deal to do with the direction of our town. The Planning Commission is responsible for drafting ordinances that govern the town. These are then presented to the town council which either passes them as drafted, ask the Planning Commission to make some changes, or votes the ordinances down completely. They also help develop and update a Master Plan under the direction of the mayor and town council. Planning now determines what South Congaree may be like for years to come. The Finance Committee helps to keep track of the town's money. It develops an annual budget which is then presented to the town's council for changes or approval. This committee watches closely throughout the year to make sure departments are spending within the limits of their budgets. The Finance Committee also has to make suggestions about where the town's reserve funds are kept so that they best benefit the citizens of the town. You do NOT have to be a resident of South Congaree to serve on boards, committees, or commissions. All that you must do is apply at the town hall, be able to pass a background check, and have a willingness to serve. Experience in Planning is helpful if you would like to serve on that committee. Perhaps you've been a developer, and architect, or held some other position that had to do with this field. In order to serve on the Finance Committee, a background in accounting, bookkeeping, or banking would help. You should be able to understand a balance sheet, read profit and loss statements, and in general be good with numbers. For more information about either of these positions, contact the town hall and ask for Municipal Clerk Sharon Williams.

STORM WATER "WE ALL LIVE DOWNSTREAM" S tormwater pollution is the runoff that occurs from rain, irrigation and snow melt and everything that is picked up along the way as it travels downhill to the nearest stream, river lake and beach. This runoff does not get treated, but goes straight to the waterways that we use for fishing, bathing and even drinking. What is picked up by stormwater runoff is “people pollution” – fertilizers and pesticides, motor oil, sand and dirt, pet waste, trash and so on. All of this can amount to one dirty waterway. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) actually considers stormwater the greatest threat to our water quality. Here is what you, as a homeowner, pet owner, or car owner can do to reduce stormwater pollution: Test Your Soil before applying fertilizer to your lawn – your lawn may already have enough nutrients. Excess nutrients from excess fertilizer ends up in our lakes and rivers leading to algae blooms and fish kills. Pick Up Pet Waste to keep it from contaminating water supplies. You can flush the waste, bag it for trash or build a doggie-loo (pet waste septic system). Wash Your Car On The Lawn instead of the driveway to minimize runoff into the storm drain and use low-phosphorus, biodegradable soaps. Remember to check your car for leaks – these chemicals wash off road surfaces into the waterway. Bag Grass Clippings And Leaves Or Use Them As Compost. Don’t sweep them into the street or down storm drains as that leads to nutrient issues and potential clogging and flooding. Don’t Over-Water Your Lawn, doing so sends more pollutants into nearby drains. Plus, your lawn only requires little more than an inch of rain per week. A rain gauge will help you keep track of how much rain your lawn is receiving. To report illicit discharge, please complete the online Illicit Discharge Reporting Form . For more information, please see Lexington County Stormwater. Storm Water Details To learn more about storm water including car washing, rain barrels, rain gardens, South Congaree's storm water ordinances, and important links on storm water, click the above link. Car Washing Washing your car at home can use 80-140 gallons of water – In comparison, a commercial car wash facility uses 40-45 gallons of water per wash. Many commercial car washes recycle and reuse the wash water that is generated. Most professional car washes save water by using high pressure pumps to clean the car thoroughly while conserving water. The presence of soap in waterways at low concentrations can kill fish eggs and at higher concentrations lead to fish kills. There are 214,023 personal vehicles registered in Lexington County. If 40% of those vehicles are washed at home once a month, then well over 82 million gallons of polluted water could potentially enter local waterways. "What is a Rain barrel?" Save rain, save water, save money! Did you know that half of a typical household’s water use is outside of the home? That’s half of your water bill! Rain barrels, or similar rain catchment systems (cisterns), have been used throughout history in many different cultures. Rainwater collection systems offer many benefits to individuals who use them, ranging from lower water bills to a better quality water for plants (no chlorine, which some plants dislike). Rainwater collection systems also benefit the environment. The obvious advantages are less withdrawal of groundwater and conserved use of treated municipal water. The less obvious advantage of rainwater collection is that it helps reduce stormwater runoff, lessening the amount of runoff that may lead to flooding. Click on Rain Barrel Construction Instructions to build your own rain barrel. "What Is A Rain Garden?" A rain garden is a landscape depression that intercepts runoff, and allows the water to slowly infiltrate into the groundwater table. As well as intercepting runoff that could possibly add to flooding and stream erosion problems, the rain garden allows nature to play a role in removing pollutants from stormwater runoff that could otherwise affect the water quality of nearby lakes, rivers, and streams. Plants use excess nutrients for growth, sediment gets trapped in the rain garden, and the rain garden becomes a landscaped feature in your yard that is also habitat for bees, butterflies, and birds. Plus, a rain garden uses water from your rooftop and driveway for irrigation, saving you money on your water bill. For more information on upcoming Rain Barrel or Rain Garden Workshops, please click on Lexington County Workshops. “GO GREEN” Lexington County Car Wash Fundraiser Program The Lexington Countywide Stormwater Consortium (LCSC) has partnered with local commercial car wash operators to launch the Car Wash Fundraiser Program. Community groups can purchase discounted car wash coupons from participating facilities that they can then re-sell. It’s quick, easy and safe for the environment. Car wash fundraisers are an important means for an organization to raise money, but if the wash water isn’t handled properly, it can be harmful to the environment. Car wash fundraisers are usually held in parking lots of local businesses where the water enters the storm drain. The water that enters a storm drain doesn’t go to a wastewater treatment facility where it is cleaned. Instead the water empties directly into local creeks, rivers and streams. All of the pollutants that are in wash water go down the storm drain and are deposited in local waterways as well. If you think about all the pollutants that are in car wash water, soaps, oils & grease, heavy metals, you realize that a lot of pollutants can be transported to local waterways. Commercial car washing facilities direct their wash water to the sanitary sewer where the wash water is treated. Most commercial car wash facilities use special equipment to conserve water and recycle the wash water at their facility. Using a commercial facility is the best choice when washing a car. This partnership allows local organizations to meet their fundraising goals without holding the traditional (time consuming and labor intensive) car wash. Through this partnership groups can not only raise funds year-round they can also ensure that their fundraisers will not be harmful to the environment. We urge local groups to contact the participating car washes and get started selling tickets instead of holding car washes in a parking lot somewhere. More Resources LEX. CO. WIDE STORM WATER CONSORTIUM LEXINGTON COUNTY STORM WATER ENVIROMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY S. CONGAREE STORM WATER KEEP THE MIDLANDS BEAUTIFUL

PERMIT INFORMATION BUILDING PERMITS All contractors performing work in the Town of South Congaree must obtain a business license. If you are building, remodeling, repairing, moving, or tearing down a building in South Congaree, or working on electrical, gas, plumbing, or mechanical systems, the required steps include: Obtain Zoning approval from the Town of South Congaree. Apply for building or mechanical permits from Lexington County. Property owners performing the work on their property must: Obtain Zoning Approval from the Town of South Congaree. Contact Lexington County Building Inspections and Permits Division Fill out a Lexington County Disclosure Statement. Complete a Public Record Notice, agreeing to follow all zoning and building rules. Contact: Lexington County Building Inspections & Permits Division Community Development Department (803) 785-8130 Email: buildinginspections@lexingtoncounty.sc.gov Website: https://lex-co.sc.gov/departments/community-development/building-permits SIGN PERMITS All sign contractors must have a Town of South Congaree Business License before obtaining a sign permit. Zoning Applications are required and must be completed and submitted to South Congaree. Zoning Applications must be approved before the sign permit will be approved. Any electrical work must be performed by a SC-licensed electrician. All electrical contractors are required to have a South Carolina Electrical Contractors License through the SC Dept. of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, and a Town of South Congaree Business License. The electrician must be listed on the sign permit before the permit can be issued. Signs may not be constructed within 12 feet of electric lines or facilities. Call PUPS at 888-721-7877 to locate underground utilities 72 hours before digging. GARAGE SALE PERMITS The following regulations are hereby declared essential in order to regulate garage sales in all zones: Before the Sale Obtain a permit from Town Hall for each sale. Post the permit at the sale site. Pay the permit fee: $5 per day. Ensure the permit does not exceed 4 consecutive days. Confirm you have not exceeded 4 permits per calendar year per family/location. During the Sale Use only family-owned merchandise (no purchased or brought-in items). Remove all tables, merchandise, and items at the end of the permitted time. Display no more than two (2) on-site signs, each ≤ 6 sq. ft. If using off-site signs: Limit to two (2) signs, each ≤ 6 sq. ft. Do not encroach on public rights-of-way. Obtain written permission for signs on private property. Do not attach signs to utility poles, street signs, trees, rocks, or natural objects. Remove all signs at the end of the sale. Do not use a public address system. Do not serve or give alcoholic beverages. Operate only during daylight hours Special Cases Non-profit organizations: Obtain a permit (fee waived). Enforcement & Penalties Violations are subject to S.C. Code § 14-25-65. Documents & Forms BUSINESS LICENSE APPLICATION HOW TO CALCULATE BIS. LIC. FEE SOUTH CONGAREE ZONING PERMIT LEX. CTY. BUILDING PERMIT LEX. CTY DISCLOSURE STATEMENT LEX. CTY PUBLIC RECORD NOTICE SOUTH CONGAREE SIGN PERMIT Contact Us Business License: Kelli Ricard, Town Clerk kricard@southcongaree.org (803) 755-2760 ext. 109 Zoning and Sign Permits: Crystal Bouknight, Town Administrator cbouknight@southcongaree.org (803) 755-2760 ext. 101

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SC GOVERNOR INFORMATION RESOURCES TOWN OF SOUTH CONGAREE INFORMATION SC SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Certification Letter Lexington Medical Center Town Hall Updates MUSC Health Supporting our Local Restaurants Executive Order No. 2020-10 - Directing Additional Emergency Measures Due to COVID-19 Prisma Health’s free virtual visit SC DHEC CDC - Center for Disease Control White House Announcement & Resource List

Zoning Map

SOUTH CONGAREE MUNICIPAL COURT Welcome to the South Congaree Municipal Court. The court is part of the integrated judicial system for South Carolina and serves as the judicial branch of the government of the Town of South Congaree. We are committed to administering justice in a fair, efficient, and professional manner and to ensuring that the rights of all persons are observed. With a focus on protecting those rights, privileges and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States of America and of the State of South Carolina, South Congaree Municipal Court will consistently and impartially interpret, apply and abide by applicable laws. We seek to continually enhance our court operations to promote confidence in our court. Municipal Court Information: The South Congaree Municipal Court is located at 119 West Berry Road, West Columbia, SC 29172. The Honorable Kenneth W. Ebener serves as the Chief Judge and in a supervisory capacity over court staff. The Clerk of Court is responsible for administering the daily operations of the South Congaree Municipal Court. South Congaree Municipal Court schedules and adjudicates criminal, traffic and town ordinance violations that occur within the South Congaree Town limits. As a court of limited jurisdiction, the Court hears traffic and misdemeanor criminal cases. The Municipal Court Division provides: Administrative support to the judicial arm of the court Case management Alternative sentence monitoring Court fines collection Court fine and case load reporting Payment Arrangement Management Collection and Organization Records To pay fines online Click image below To pay over the phone call 844-279-9642 Contact the Clerk of Court Email:clerkofcourt@southcongaree.org Phone: 803-755-2760 ext. 103 The Clerk of Court for the Town of South Congaree is a part-time position. If you need to contact the Clerk, please leave a voicemail that includes: Your full name A reliable phone number Your email address Any relevant information regarding your request The Clerk of Court will return your call as soon as possible. South Congaree Municipal Court conducts court on Wednesdays, at 2:00 PM. MUNICIPAL COURT RULES AND EXPECTATIONS To ensure safety, order, and respect within the Municipal Court, all visitors are required to follow the rules outlined below. Prohibited Items & Security: Food and beverages are not allowed in the courtroom. All weapons are strictly prohibited, including pocket knives and personal protection devices. Do not attempt to bring prohibited items into Town Hall or the courtroom. The court does not store prohibited items. Purses, bags, and briefcases are not permitted in the courtroom. All individuals entering the Municipal Courtroom must pass through a metal detector and may be subject to search. Court Appearance & Attire Municipal Court is a place of business. Visitors are required to dress appropriately. Requirements: Clean, fitted clothing Shirts and shoes are required Hats must be removed before entering any courtroom Unacceptable attire includes: Shorts, cut-offs, baggy pants, flip-flop–style shoes, or hats Muscle shirts and T-shirts Pajamas Low-cut tops, short skirts, or short dresses Shirts that are torn, dirty, ragged, too tight, or too short Provocative clothing designed to distract, disrupt, or provoke Clothing indicating gang affiliation Clothing with offensive, vulgar, racist, sexist, obscene, or suggestive words, slogans, images, or depictions Courtroom Conduct & Guidelines: Arrive early and be prepared. When your case is called, please stand and move to the podium or front of the courtroom. Address the judge as “Your Honor.” Speak only when instructed or given permission. Do not interrupt or argue, especially with the judge. Use formal English; slang is not permitted. Answer only the question asked, then stop. Be brief and to the point. Do not approach the judge’s bench without permission. Do not enter or leave the courtroom excessively and do not slam doors. Remain patient and respectful at all times. Electronic Devices & Media: All electronic devices must be powered off or placed on silent mode and kept out of sight. Cell phone use is strictly prohibited in the courtroom. Photography, audio or video recording, and broadcasting from within the courthouse or courtroom are prohibited. Additional Rules: Gum chewing, tobacco products, newspapers, food, and beverages are not allowed in the courtroom. Children are permitted only if they are not disruptive. If a child becomes disruptive, an accompanying adult must remove the child from the courtroom.

BUSINESS LICENSING INFORMATION All businesses engaging in, or intending to engage in, any calling, business, occupation, or profession, either in whole or in part, within the limits of the Town of South Congaree are required to obtain a Town Business License. An annual license tax must be paid for the privilege of conducting business within the Town. The license fee is calculated based on the gross income generated during the preceding calendar year from business activity conducted within the Town of South Congaree. No deductions from gross income are permitted except for: Income generated wholly outside the municipality on which a license tax has been paid to another municipality or county Taxes collected on behalf of a government entity Income excluded from taxation under State or Federal law Business License Renewals All Town Business Licenses expire on April 30 each year. The deadline to renew without penalties is April 30. Annual license fees are based on the business’s gross receipts or gross revenue, or projected gross revenue for new businesses. To renew or apply: Print and complete a Business License application. Submit the completed application to Town Hall. Ensure all required documentation is included to avoid processing delays. Payment Information Do not mail cash payments. Payments may be made by company check or cashier’s check. The Town makes every effort to send renewal reminders; however, it is the business owner’s responsibility to renew the license annually, whether or not a reminder is received. Please mark your calendar to avoid penalties. Questions or Assistance If you have questions or need assistance, please visit Town Hall or email: kricard@southcongaree.org Contact Us Kelli Ricard, Town Clerk kricard@southcongaree.org (803) 755-2760 ext. 109 Documents & Forms BL ONLINE RENEWAL LINK BUSINESS LICENSE APPLICATION HOW TO CALCULATE BIS. LIC. FEE BUS. NAME CHANGE/CLOSURE SAMPLE IRS FORM RENTAL PROPERTY LIST HOME-BASED BUSINESS PERMIT HOSPITALITY TAX REPORTING FORM

ZONING INFORMATION The Town of South Congaree’s zoning regulations are designed to promote orderly growth, protect property values, and ensure compatible land uses throughout the community. Zoning establishes how land may be used, the type and size of development allowed, and standards such as building setbacks, height, and density. Property owners, developers, and residents are encouraged to review zoning requirements early in the planning process to ensure proposed uses comply with local regulations.For specific zoning classifications, permitted uses, or development questions, please contact Town Hall or refer to the official Zoning Ordinance. Final determinations on zoning compliance are made by the Town of South Congaree. ZONING PERMIT APPLICATION Download Download and submit the Zoning Permit Application and Variance Application in person or via email to cbouknight@southcongaree.org . ZONING VARIANCE APPLICATION Download ZONING RELATED FEES The following fees apply to zoning-related applications and services: Zoning Permit - $50 Map Amendment - $175 Sign Permit - $50 Subdivision Plat-Minor and Major Simple (1 to 3 lots)- $5 per plat copy Complex (4-9 lots) - $50 base fee plus $10 per lot Plat (10 lots and up) - $50 base fee plus $10 per lot (Maximum of $2,000) Zoning Board of Appeals Variance - $175 Zoning Map DOWNLOAD

The South Congaree-Pine Ridge Branch Library Library Website Friends of the Library The South Congaree Pine Ridge Branch Library is a part of the County of Lexington's library system. It is located at 200 Sunset Drive West Columbia, SC. It is a full service library with thousand of books currently on their shelves. If there's a book you'd like and it's in the library system at another branch, they can get it moved for you. They have an extensive video collection and computers for public use. Throughout the year, there are many activities planned that are enjoyed by children and adults alike. They are especially active in the summer months when children are out of school. This instills a love of reading in children and helps to combat the summer slide. They also hold workshops on everything from scarp-booking to sushi making. Children enjoy parties and fun days and there's a beautiful serenity garden in the rear. The library is not just for children. There are many books, videos, and activities geared toward the adult. There is always something to do at the library and they'd love to have you get involved in their Friends of the Library program. South Congaree-Pine Ridge Branch Library MON - 9:00 AM 5:00 PM TUE - 11:00 AM 7:00 PM WED - CLOSED THU - 12:00 AM 6:00 PM FRI - 9:00 AM 5:00 PM SAT - 10:00 AM 1:00 PM SUN - CLOSED