Dorchester County

Established in 1897, Dorchester County was formed from land previously located in Colleton County. The name “Dorchester” was indirectly derived from Dorchester, England by way of Dorchester, Massachusetts.

Dorchester County boasts award-winning school districts and one of the longest free-flowing blackwater rivers in North America. Dorchester County’s natural beauty and unwavering sense of community are what makes it the best county in South Carolina to build a business and raise a family.

Dorchester County is home to the:

  • City of North Charleston
  • Town of Summerville
  • Town of Ridgeville
  • Town of St. George (County Seat)
  • Town of Harleyville
  • Town of Reevesville
  • Town of Lincolnville
  • Communities of Dorchester, Grover, Knightsville, Ladson and Texas

Form of Government

Dorchester County operates under a Council-Administrator form of government and has over 800 full-time employees. A seven-member County Council is elected by district and provides policy direction to the County.

The County Administrator serves as County Council’s agent in administrative matters. This position has oversight over all County government operations with the exceptions of departments governed by elected officials and special districts.

The County Administrator is assisted by a Chief Financial Officer, Deputy Administrator of Public Safety and Assistant Administrator of Community Services.

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Administrator

Contact: Jason L. Ward
Address: 201 Johnston St St. George SC 29477 Phone: 843-563-0100 Website: Dorchester County Administrators Office Website: Deputy Administrator for Public Safety Website: Asst Administrator for Community Services
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Dorchester County Parks & Recreation

Contact: Austin Zuniga
Address: 500 North Main St Summerville SC 29483 Phone: 843-563-0193 Website: Dorchester County Parks & Recreation
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Building Services

Contact: Melissa Hopkins
Address: 500 N. Main St Summerville SC 29483 Phone: 843-932-0011 Phone: 843-832-0352 Website: Building Services Website: Submittal Process Website: Permit Application Download Website: Submit Online
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Court & Judicial Services

Contact: Cheryl Graham
Address: 5200 E. Jim Bilton Blvd St. George SC 29477 Phone: 843-560-0160 Website: Courts & Judicial Services Home Website: Circuit Court Website: Clerk of Court Website: Family Court Website: Magistrate Court Website: Master-In-Equity Website: Probate Court Website: Public Defender
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Planning & Zoning

Contact: Kiera Reinertsen
Address: 500 N. Main St Summerville SC 29483 Phone: 843-832-0020 Website: Planning & Zoning Home Website: Apply Online Website: Board of Zoning Appeals Website: Documents, Forms & Fees Website: Planning Commissions Website: Zoning & Land Development Standards
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Property & Tax Services

Address: 201 Johnston St St. George SC 29477 Address: 500 N. Main St Summerville SC 29483 Phone: 843-832-0162 Phone: 843-563-0162 Website: Property & Taxes Services Home Website: Assessor’s Office Website: Auditor’s Office Website: Delinquent Tax Website: Treasurer
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Public Works

Contact: Jason Carraher, PE
Address: 2120 E. Main St Dorchester SC 29437 Phone: 843-832-0070 Phone: 843-563-0070 Phone: 843-832-0064 Phone: 843-563-0064 Website: Public Works Home Website: Engineering Website: Solid Waste & Recycling Website: Operations Website: Illegal Dumping
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Sheriff’s Office

Contact: L.C. Knight
Address: 212 Deming Way Summerville SC 29483 Address: 101 Ridge St Suite 1 St. George SC 29477 Phone: 843-832-0300 Phone: 843-533-0259 Phone: 843-832-0215 Website: Sheriff’s Office Website: Detention Center Website: Records Request Website: Sex Offender Registry