Anyone proposing to excavate, dig, bore, tunnel, blast, or disturb the earth in any manner in which buried facilities may be damaged is required to call SC811 at 811 or (888) 721-7877) between the hours of 7:30 am (EST) and 5:30 pm (EST), Monday through Friday, allowing 3 full working days (not including the day of the call) before starting the proposed work.
811 for Excavators
South Carolina State Law requires the excavator, when planning any activity that results in the movement or removal of earth, rock or other materials in or on the ground, to contact South Carolina 811 and any non member company with adequate information regarding the excavation.
At least 3 full working day notice at 11:59pm (not including the day of the call) prior to digging, call SC811 by dialing 811 or (888) 721-7877. A SC811 representative will record the location of the digging site and notify member companies of your intent to dig. Each member company will then send either one of their employees or a contract locator to your dig site to mark the location of their underground facility lines.
Once the lines have been marked, you may begin carefully to dig, keeping in mind the 2 feet allowance on either side of the markings. ((a) if the diameter of the facility is known, the distance of one-half of the known diameter plus twenty-four inches on either side of the designated center line; (b) if the diameter of the facility is not marked, twenty-four inches on either side of the outside-edge of the mark indicating a facility; or (c) for subaqueous facilities, a clearance of fifteen feet on either side of the indicated facility). Not all utilities are members with SC811. If a utility is not named, please contact them directly.
Remember: call 811, wait the required time, respect the marks and dig with care!
811 for Homeowners
No matter how large or small the digging project is, it is important to “Call Before You Dig” or “Click Before You Dig!” By making a simple FREE phone call or by simply filling out the online form you can protect your self and your community from costly fines, repairs, personal injury or inconvenient outages.
At least 3 full working day notice at 11:59pm (not including the day of the call) prior to digging, call SC811 by dialing 811 or (888) 721-7877. A SC811 representative will record the location of the digging site and notify member companies of your intent to dig. Each member company will then send either one of their employees or a contract locator to your dig site to mark the location of their underground facility lines.
Once the lines have been marked, you may begin carefully to dig, keeping in mind the 2 feet allowance on either side of the markings ((a) if the diameter of the facility is known, the distance of one-half of the known diameter plus twenty-four inches on either side of the designated center line; (b) if the diameter of the facility is not marked, twenty-four inches on either side of the outside-edge of the mark indicating a facility; or (c) for subaqueous facilities, a clearance of fifteen feet on either side of the indicated facility). Not all utilities are members with SC811. If a utility is not named, please contact them directly.
You may submit a locate request notice by entering it on the SC811 website or by calling 811 or (888) 721-7877. The member company(s) will come to the property requested and mark their underground facility lines. Thank you for contacting SC811 before you dig.
811 for Utilities
South Carolina State Law requires any activity that results in the movement or removal of earth, rock or other materials in or on the ground requires the excavator to contact the Utility Company or One Call Center with adequate information regarding the dig. Each excavator is required to wait 3 full working days at 11:59pm (not including the day of call) before starting the digging work.
A SC811 representative will record the location of the digging site and notify member utility companies of the intent to dig. Utility companies will then send out a professional locator to your digging site to mark the approximate location of utility lines. Once your lines have been marked, you may begin to carefully excavate around the marked lines.
Remember: call 811, wait the required time, respect the marks and dig with care!
Encroachment Permitting
Encroachment permits are required for work on the city right of way. Encroachment permits regulate the types of construction methods and materials allowed on County roads in order to maintain the structural integrity of the roads and protect the motoring public from potential dangers posed from unregulated construction on the right-of-way.
Encroachment Permit Application
Stormwater Permitting
The City’s NPDES Stormwater Discharge Permit requires the City to develop, implement, and enforce a program to reduce pollutants from stormwater runoff from construction activities that result in land disturbance. Most land disturbing activities in the City require a Stormwater Permit. The City has developed guidance in the form of a Stormwater Permitting and Design Manual. The manual is available through the link provided below.
Water and Sewer Services
Charleston Commissioners of Public Works
103 St. Phillips St., Charleston, 29401
6296 Rivers Ave., North Charleston, 29406
(843) 727-6800
North Charleston Sewer District
7225 Stall Road
P.O. Box 63009
North Charleston, SC 29419-3009
(843) 764-3072
Dorchester County Water and Sewer
P.O. Box 9
Dorchester, SC 29437-0009
(843) 563-0075 or (843) 832-0075
Electric and Gas
Dominion Energy
1-800-251-7234
Berkeley Electric Cooperative
(843) 572-5454
Santee Cooper
(843) 761-4060