Frequently Asked Questions

Police Report Retrieval 

Anyone can get a copy of a police report by coming into the police department Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (excluding holidays) the police department is located at 1748 Paris Ave. Port Royal, SC 29935.  The charge for a police report is $5.00 per copy; victims are not charged.  Fees must be paid at the town hall prior to the report being released.

Please allow time for your report to be processed for release.  Reports are submitted by patrol officers daily per standard operating procedures.  Once submitted, reports must be reviewed and approved by supervisors, it may take 3 to 5 days for your report to be ready for release.  Accident reports may take longer as these reports are submitted to the State of South Carolina Office of Highway Safety.  Accidents reports may also be obtained online at buycrash.com.

How do I get a copy of a report?

1. In person at 1748 Paris Ave. Port Royal, SC 29935
2. By mail.  Send a self addressed stamped envelope with your request to P.O. Box 576 Port Royal, SC 29935
3. Online at the Request a copy of your report page

Tips to assist you in obtaining your report:

• Have your case report number that was given to you by the reporting officer
• If you do not know your case number you will need to provide an incident location, date and time and/or your identification if you were named in the report.

SC Freedom of Information Act Requests:

If you are not a party involved and named in a report you will need to submit a SC Freedom of Information Act request form.  Please allow up to 30 days to process your request.  

You can pay online at Port Royal Police Department Pay Ticket or you can mail your fine amount to the following address:

Town of Port Royal
Attn: Clerk of Court
P.O. Drawer 9
Port Royal, SC 29935

You can also pay in person at the Port Royal Town Hall:
700 Paris Avenue
Port Royal, SC 29935

Hours
Monday through Friday
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

More Information

Call Clerk of Court Traci Haddock at 843-986-2229 for additional information.

Port Royal Municipal Court is held in the Yvonne Butler Council Chambers located inside the Town Hall:
700 Paris Avenue
Port Royal, SC 29935

Court Appointment

The time and date of your court appointment should be written on the charging document or ticket.

If it is an Emergency Dial 911 and officers will be immediately dispatched to your location. If you would like to submit an online police report you may visit our Citizen's Online Police Reporting System to find out if online reporting is right for you, Submit a report  You may also call Beaufort County Dispatch at 843-524-2777 and they will dispatch an officer to you or you can stop by the Port Royal Police Department weekdays between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

We provide fingerprinting services at the Port Royal Police Department on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9 AM to 5 PM. You must have photo identification and there is a $5 charge if you do not have your own finger print cards.

We provide local jurisdictional background checks only. You must have photo identification and there is a $5 charge. For a more complete back ground check visit the South Carolina Law Enforcement Divisions South Carolina Law Enforcement Divisions (S.L.E.D.) website.

To participate in our Citizen Ride Along program you must fill out a Ride Along Request form and bring it by the Police Department weekdays between 9 AM - 5 PM for completion. Following a clear back ground check you will be scheduled for a ride along with one of our Patrol Officers. If you are interested in volunteering your time to help our Police Department you can stop by on weekdays between 9 AM to 5 PM or call 843-986-2220 for more information.

Placing a Mobile Home on an Individual Lot  in Port Royal

-Obtain a Town of Port Royal Mobile Home Authorization form from the Town's Planning and Zoning office.

-Take this completed form and mobile home title work to Beaufort County Building Codes to obtain a Mobile Home Moving Permit (sticker).

-Complete a Town of Port Royal Application for Permit and submit to the Town with appropriate Permit Fees.

-Mobile Homes must be placed on a permanent foundation.  A foundation plan must be submitted with the application and will be reviewed by the Building Inspector.

-Mobile Homes must have a front porch with a roof.  A construction drawing must be submitted with the application and will be reviewed by the Building Inspector.

-Contractors and Subcontractors must have State Licenses and Port Royal Business Licenses.

Building Permit Requirements for Contractors

A permit is required for most work / improvements (excluding some interior remodeling including painting, doors, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work).

General Contractor requirements:

• A Town of Port Royal Business License is required
• A South Carolina State License is required for any of the following:
  • General Contractor (Residential or Commercial work over $5,000)
  • Residential Home Builder (Residential work only)
  • Specialty Contractor (Residential work only; not to exceed $4,999.99 or be bonded through SC Labor, Licensing, and Regulations [LLR])

 Electrical, Plumbing, Gas, and Mechanical Contractors:

• A Town of Port Royal Business License is required
• A South Carolina State License is required for any of the following:
  • Specialty Contractor (Residential work only; not to exceed $4,999.99 or be bonded through SC Labor, Licensing, and Regulations [LLR])
  • South Carolina Mechanical Contractor's License (Residential or required for all Commercial work)
  • For gas work; Mechanical Plumber or Specialty heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) contractor license is required for any gas work (including putting pressure on a gas line)

Work on Your Own Property

A homeowner who owns his own home and lives there and is performing work himself may be issued a permit.  See "Homeowner as Builder / Contractor" Form under Forms and Documents.

Work on Someone Else's Property

Any individual performing work on someone else's property is considered a contractor and is required to have the items listed under Building Permit Requirements for Contractors above.

Any owner or contractor constructing a new building or making alternations to existing buildings

The Building Permit Application Form can be found in the Forms and Documents section of this website or by visiting Port Royal Town Hall during business hours and requesting an  Building Permit Application Form.

It depends on the cost of construction.  See the Fee Schedule in the Building Codes Packet under Forms and Documents.  If you need help calculating your fees please contact the Permit Administrator.

Building permits are valid for 6 months

It depends on a number of factors, scope of project, 

Generally for interior work, for example painting,  no permit is needed.  However, is good practice to check with the Town's Building Official before attempting to do the work yourself for your safety and others.  Electrical or gas related updates to your home may require a permit.

Call the Building Official to register your complaint

Town Hall 700 Paris Avenue, Port Royal, SC

Sessions are held every other week on Tuesday and Thursday at 4:00 PM.

Any individual or entity operating a business physically located within the Town of Port Royal, or conducting revenue-generating activities within the Town’s jurisdiction, including, but not limited to, home-based businesses, property managers, and owners of commercial properties, long-term rentals, or short-term rentals (STRs) is required to obtain a valid business license.

Port Royal Business Licenses must be renewed each year by April 30th. 

It depends on the rate and NAICS classification.  To determine your rate and NAICS classification, contact Town of Port Royal Business License Administrator.  

Yes.  Any commercial property, apartment, single-family residence, condominium, or townhouse utilized as a long-term or short-term rental is required to obtain a valid business license from the Town of Port Royal. In addition, short-term rentals must remit monthly accommodations taxes directly to Town Hall. If the property is managed by a property management company or agent, both the property owner and the property manager must obtain separate business licenses in compliance with Town regulations.

Yes.  Any non-resident business (not physically located in Port Royal) must have a current, valid business license if they are performing a service on property or for another business in Port Royal.  

 For example a contractor or subcontractor renovating a home in the Town of Port Royal must have a current valid business license with the Town of Port Royal.  

Yes. A General Contractor or Mechanical Contractor license is required for commercial projects. If your business involves work as a residential specialty contractor, you must hold a valid license from the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (SCLLR) to obtain a Port Royal business license.  

Some examples of residential specialty contracting include (but not limited to):

• Plumbing
• Electrical work
• Heating and air conditioning installation and repair
• Vinyl and aluminum siding installation
• Insulation installation
• Roofing
• Floor covering installation
• Masonry
• Drywall installation
• Carpentry
• Stucco installation
• Painting and wallpapering
• Solar panel installation

Important: Residential specialty contractors cannot construct additions to residential buildings without supervision from a licensed residential builder or appropriately licensed professional. 

NOTE: A residential specialty contractor who is applying for a Per Project Business License as a Sub with a licensed residential builder or general contractor is not required to hold a SCLLR. 

Yes! Use this tool:

Bulk items includes Appliances (white goods), Furniture, Mattresses, etc.  Bulk Items are NOT Hazardous materials, wet paint in paint cans or buckets. Please call 843-986-2215 to schedule your pick up.

Beaufort County Convenience Centers will take Hazardous Materials and Paint Cans with wet paint and other items as well.  

Call Beaufort County 843-255-2736 to check days of the week each site is open and hours of operation. 

Convenience Centers are located:

• Big Estate, 63 Big Estate Road
• Coffin Point, 10 Cee Cee Road
• Cuffy, 152 Cuffy Road
• Sheldon, 208 Johnson Road 
• Bluffton, 104 Simmonsville Road
• Hilton Head, 26 Summit Drive
• Lobeco, 6 Keans Neck Road
• Shanklin, 80 Shanklin Road
• St. Helena, 639 Sea Island Parkway