Freedom of Information Act
SOUTH CAROLINA FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST
In accordance with the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), SC Code Ann. § 30-4-10, et seq., Persons have the right to inspect, copy, or receive non-exempt Public Records. FOIA Requests for Public Records of Lancaster County should be made through the following link:
CLICK HERE TO MAKE ALL FOIA REQUESTS (including the Sheriff's Office)
Requests made directly to County Departments:
Requests may also be submitted by U.S. Mail sent to Lancaster County, Attn: FOIA, PO Box 1809, Lancaster, SC, 20721, and by facsimile at 877-241-5430 or by email to foia@lancastersc.net
Lancaster County charges a fee for the cost of the search, retrieval, and redaction of records based on the time necessary to complete such actions. The rate used to determine the charge due is the hourly rate of the lowest-paid employee qualified to perform the actions necessary to respond to the request. Lancaster County also charges a uniform fee to copy documents provided pursuant to a request.
Lancaster County will provide an initial response to a requestor within ten (10) business days of receipt of the request. However, if the records sought are more than twenty-four (24) months old, Lancaster County will provide an initial response to the requestor within twenty (20) business days.
PURSUANT TO S.C. CODE § 30-2-50 (A) 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. A PERSON KNOWINGLY VIOLATING THIS PROHIBITION 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
COUNTY DEPARTMENT RATES PER HOUR FOR RESEARCH AND GATHERING AND COPIES
| Departments | Hourly Rate | Departments | Hourly Rate |
| Administration | $22.05 | Airport | $28.94 |
| Animal Shelter | $31.73 | Assessor | $50.83 |
| Auditor | $28.62 | Building | $20.42 |
| Clerk of Court | $50.65 | Communications & Marketing | $43.69 |
| Coroner | $40.32 | County Council | $32.30 |
| Delinquent Tax | $35.93 | Economic Development | $23.59 |
| Emergency Management | $36.35 | EMS | $24.89 |
| Budget & Finance | $36.13 | Fire Rescue | $36.35 |
| Fleet Operations | $27.15 | GIS | $38.23 |
| Human Resources | $30.04 | Information Technology (IT) | $34.95 |
| Library | $15.24 | Magistrate's Court | $50.65 |
| Parks & Recreation | $18.94 | Passports | $35.93 |
| Planning | $18.24 | Probate Court | $22.37 |
| Procurement | $42.00 | Public Safety Communications | $35.11 |
| Public Works | $60.91 | Register of Deeds | $24.32 |
| Risk Management | $36.51 | Stormwater | $20.36 |
| Treasurer's Office | $16.50 | Veterans Affairs | $27.63 |
| Voter Registration | $44.42 | Zoning | $20.58 |
Actual costs will also be charged as follows
| Black & White Copy Cost | $.23 |
| Color Copy Cost | $.68 |
| Facsimile Cost | $.23 |
| Flash Drive Cost | $5.00 per flash drive |
| U.S. Postage | Current US Postal Rate Charges |
Requests made directly to the Sheriff's Office:
Pursuant to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, Section 30-4-10 et seq. of the Code of Laws of South Carolina, non-exempt public records of the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office are available for inspection, copying, or receipt by electronic transmission upon written request. Reports disclosing the nature, substance, and location of crimes (incident reports) for the preceding 14 days are available for public inspection and copying from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday at the sheriff’s office at 1520 Pageland Highway, without the requestor being required to make a written request to inspect or copy the records when the requestor appears in person. Pursuant to Section 23-1-240(G)(1), data recorded by a body-worn camera is not a public record subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. Pursuant to Section 16-3-1520, a victim of a crime may receive, free of charge, a copy of the initial incident report for his or her case. Pursuant to Section 30-2-50, 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 obtaining or using public records for commercial solicitation directed to any person in this state is prohibited and is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.00 or imprisonment not to exceed one year, or both.
Please be as specific as possible in making your request. Include the case number if you have it, the correct name, and date of birth. If you seek information about a person, the correct address. If you seek information about an incident at a particular location, the correct date of the incident, the date range if you seek multiple reports over a period of time, and any other information you believe will be helpful in locating the records you seek.
Fees apply for the search, retrieval, and redaction of requested records and for hard copies of the records if hard copies are requested or are necessary. A deposit not to exceed 25% of the total reasonably anticipated cost for the production of the records may be required prior to the agency searching for and making copies of the records. The full amount of the total cost must be paid prior to the release of the records.
The Fee Schedule is as follows:
| Search, retrieval, and redaction | $25.00 per hour |
| Hard Copies | $.22 per page |
| Storage Discs | $1.25 per disc |
| Flash Drives | $4.50 per drive |