Does Aiken County require a business license?

Aiken County does not require a business license in the unincorporated area of the county. However, if you are going to be conducting business in any of the cities, you need to check with them for business licenses. Also check  with the Planning & Development Department (803-642-1520) to see if the area where your business will be located is zoned to allow a commercial establishment.

Where do I go to get a marriage license?

Marriage licenses are issued by the Probate Judge (Honorable Sue Roe) (803-642-2002) at the Judicial Center, 109 Park Avenue in Aiken.

What is the Senior Tax Workoff Program?

This program allows citizens 60 years or older to work for Aiken County Departments to earn an amount equal to the Aiken County portion of their property taxes on their personal residence (school taxes are not included). This program applies only to the taxes on residential properties and does not apply to commercial properties. Call the County Administrator's Office at 642-2012 to obtain more information or an application to participate in the program.

Where is the landfill and when is it open?

Aiken County no longer operates a public landfill. Take your household garbage to one of the ten drop-off sites listed below.

Construction debris and yard waste can be taken to the Barden Landfill, 411 Connector Road in Graniteville. The Barden Landfill is open 7:30 am until 5:00 pm Monday through Saturday. The Wagener Landfill also accepts this type of waste. The Wagener Landfill is open on Wednesdays from 7:30 am until 5:00 pm.

Drop-off centers are open from 7 am until 7 pm on the days noted. Citizens are requested to recycle paper, glass, plastic, batteries, motor oil, steel cans, and aluminum cans. Old household appliances, furniture, tires, paint, and yard trimmings can be brought to drop-off centers.

All drop-off centers and landfills are closed on January 1st, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

If you have any questions, contact the Solid Waste Division of the Public Works Department (803-642-1533).

How do I get a building permit?

For building permits located anywhere in the county except in the cities of Aiken and North Augusta, apply at the Planning & Development Department, Kalmia Plaza in Aiken (803-642-1520). You will need to bring two sets of construction plans, and know your tax parcel number. If you will not be using public sewer, a septic tank permit from DHEC is required. A building permit is required for any construction valued at $1,000 or more. A General Contractor's License is required for anyone constructing a non-residential building valued more than $5,000.

I need a lawyer and can't afford one. Who can I call?

Call Palmetto Legal Services in Lexington at 803-359-4154 or 800-280-1851 to see if you qualify for their services.

My road needs scraping. Who do I call?

Roads are scraped approximately every six weeks. If your road needs attention, call the Public Works Department, Road and Bridges Division at 803-642-1532.

Where are the County offices located?

The County Office Complex is located at 828 Richland Ave. W in Aiken, just up the street from Wendy's. The Judicial Center is located at 109 Park Ave., Aiken. The Sheriff's Office is located at 420 Hampton Ave. NE, Aiken. The Detention Center is located at 435 Wire Road. The Planning & Development Department is located in Kalmia Plaza, 1680 Richland Ave W in Aiken.

Where are the magistrates' offices?

There are eight Magistrate's Offices located in Aiken County. See the list below to see which office is closest to you. Call the office to determine the hours they are open, as some of them are only part time. All phone numbers are area code 803.

Where is the courthouse?

The courthouse, or Judicial Center, is located at 109 Park Avenue in Aiken.

How do I find out if somebody is in jail?

Call the Detention Center at 803-642-2040.

My property taxes are too high. What causes this?

Taxes are assessed by the County, the Cities, and the School Board. The two larger cities send out their own tax bills for property. The County property tax bills include the taxes for the County and the School Board. Vehicle tax bills are sent out by the County, and include County, School and city taxes.

Millage rates are established by the cities, the School Board, and the County Council based on the annual budget approved each year.

Taxes are determined by multiplying the value of the property times the millage rate. Vehicle values are determined by the State Department of Revenue. Property values are determined by the County Tax Assessor's Office. If you think your property is valued too high, you must appeal your valuation in writing. Call the Tax Assessor's Office for more information at 803-642-1583.

Property is also taxed based upon its use. If your land is being used for agricultural purposes, you are entitled to be taxed at the lowest rate, as established by the State of South Carolina. Owner-occupied housing is taxed based on 4% of its assessed value and receives the benefit of the educational tax credits approved by the State. Non owner-occupied housing (generally rental housing) is taxed based on 6% of its assessed value, and does not receive educational tax credits.

Call the Tax Assessor's Office (803-642-1583) for an application if you are not receiving the 4% tax rate and you are living in your house.

Where do I register my car?

Bring your title or old car registration form to the Auditor's Office, County Office Complex at 828 Richland Ave. W. (803-642-1510). The Auditor's Office will issue you a tax bill, which must be paid in the Treasurer's Office (803-642-2094) in the same building. Take your paid tax receipt and title or car registration to the SC Highway Department, 1755 Richland Ave. East in Aiken or 1913 Ascauga Lake Road in North Augusta to complete the registration and obtain your tag. For questions concerning vehicle registration, contact the Highway Department at 1-800-442-1368.

Where do I register to vote?

Voter registration/election (803-642-2030) is located at 916 Vaucluse Road in Aiken, behind the County Office Complex. 

Are there any county parks?

The county operates twenty four parks located throughout the county. There are three manned parks which provide organized recreation. In addition, some parks are managed by volunteers, and they may offer organized softball. Call the PRT Department at 803-642-7558 to find out the locations of parks and activities offered at each. Or visit PRT's web site at www.AikenCounty/Depts/prt for information.

Where are deeds recorded?

All records relating to property (deeds, mortgages, plats) are recorded in the RMC Office (803-642-2074) at 828 Richland Ave. W. in Aiken (the County Office Complex). Copies of deeds can be obtained at a minimal cost.

My neighbor has a house which is falling down and his pool is full of green slime. Who do I call?

Call the Planning & Development Department at 803-642-1520 to obtain a Nuisance Complaint form which must be filled out and signed by five residents living within 1000 feet of the nuisance. Return the form to Planning & Development for action.

For health concerns, call the Environmental Sanitation Division of DHEC at 803-642-1637.

Who fixes potholes on streets?

It depends if you live on a state road, a city road, or a county road. State roads can be identified by black signs at the intersection (S-2-xxx). Call the Highway Department Maintenance Department at 641-7665 to request repairs on a state road. If you live in the city and the road is not a state road, call the City Public Works Department. If you live in the county and the road is not a state road, call the County Roads and Bridges Division at 803-642-1532.

Where can I find out my 911 street address?

Visit the Planning & Development Department in Kalmia Plaza (803-642-1520). You will have to show them on a map where your house is located, and where your driveway comes off the road.

How do I know which fire district I am in?

Fire district boundaries were established by County Council in 1988. Most areas of the County are served by volunteer fire departments. Call the Planning Department Mapping Division at 803-642-7592 to see which fire department protects your house.

Who provides water in my area?

The county has no control over water providers in the county. Check with your next door neighbor to see who is the water provider.

Who do I call to arrange for garbage pickup?

If you live in one of the cities, call the city for information about garbage pickup. The county does not provide garbage pickup in the unincorporated area of the county. You will have to call a private company to get garbage picked up at your house. However, all county residents can use the 10 county drop-off sites to dispose of their household garbage.

Where can I get county maps?

The Planning & Development Department, located at Kalmia Plaza, (803-642-1520) has copies of county road maps for sale. The Official County Road Map Atlas, which includes all Federal, State, and County roads (paved and dirt), is also available for sale for $20 in Planning.

What is this thing on my tax bill about a fire fee?

Fire fees are assessed by the fire departments on all properties located within their fire district. Fire departments do not get any tax money from Aiken County to operate the fire departments and must use fire fee money for operational expenses (equipment purchases, utilities, fuel, fire fighting supplies, etc.). Under terms of contracts with the county, a fire fee is assessed in the county budget ordinance for each fire district, and is billed on the county's property tax bill. If the fire fee is not paid by the time property taxes become delinquent, many of the fire departments have instructed the county to turn the unpaid fees over to a collection agency.

I did not get a tax bill. Who do I call?

Call the Auditor's Office at 803-642-1510.

What are county office hours?

County Offices are open from 8:30 am until 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

What days are county offices closed?

County Offices are closed on official holidays - New Year's Day, Martin Luther King's birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.