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Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find information that might help you understand how to find things or learn about information you might need to know about your city or town.

General FAQs

6

  • Chapin Town Hall is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm, except when closed in observance of national or state holidays.
    General FAQs

  • Lexington-Richland School District 5 serves the Chapin community. There are two elementary schools, one intermediate, one middle school and three high schools in the Chapin cluster. For more information, visit the district's website at http://www.lexrich5.org/.
    General FAQs

  • Chapin Sewer customers should call 803-605-9711 after regular business hours to reach our on-call personnel to report a problem.
    General FAQs

  • Yes, the Chapin Zoning ordinance requires that residents or businesses making modifications to an existing structure to submit a zoning permit for site review and the appropriate referrals to Lexington County officials for building permits, Fire Marshall and storm water review. New signage will require a permit, and based on size of expansion and projected use, additional sewer capacity may be required. Contact our Zoning department for more information.

    General FAQs

  • Curbside garbage collection is optional within town limits. The Town of Chapin has a multi-year contract with Capital Waste Services to provide residential curbside trash and recycling collection. Otherwise, residents may take their trash and recycling to the Lexington County Convenience Center located at 103 Distant Lane in Chapin.

    General FAQs

  • FAQ Regarding the Beaufort Street requests for bids

     

    1.  Is there an estimated value or budget for these projects?  Answer – Each of these bid requests have an estimated value of between 0-25K.

     

    1. Is there a projected start date for this project?  Answer – We’re hopeful to complete the project this spring.  An April start date is anticipated.

     

    1. Are the sidewalks needing repair on Beaufort Street marked?  Answer – Yes, the areas needing repair are marked with yellow arrows near the curb on both sides of the street.

     

    1. Can I bid on more than 1 phase of the project?  Answer – Yes, but please submit the bids separately if you bid on more than one.

     

     

    1. How much will business license cost to perform this work for the town?  Answer – The business license for an out of town contractor will cost approximately 1 percent of the estimated contract value.

     

    1. Can the town purchase the planters that we have specified in the RFP and have the selected contractor install them?  Answer – The planters or an approved substitute must be provided for in the bid proposal by the contractor.

     

     

    General FAQs

Utilities Department

17

  • The Utilities Office is located at:
    Chapin Town Hall
    157 NW Columbia Avenue
    Chapin, SC 29036

    Our office is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    Utilities Department

  • Just a reminder to our Chapin sewer customers - your bill will increase February 1, 2018. Town Council approved a $2.50 rate increase for in-town customers and a $7.50 rate increase for out of town customers. If you have automatic bank draft you will need to adjust your draft to reflect the new rate increase. Thank you!

    Utilities Department

  • Call Customer Service at 803-345-0416 during normal business hours (Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.), or for after-hours service call 803-605-9711.
    Utilities Department

  • Call 803-605-9711, and our on-call utility staff member will contact you as soon as possible following receipt of a maintenance call.
    Utilities Department

  • Yes, it is located at Town Hall in the drive-through window area, located at the left side of the building.
    Utilities Department

  • All customers are required to come to our office, complete the appropriate paperwork, and pay the required fee. We do require copies of your lease or closing statement as well as your driver's license. The applications for service and sewer service agreement can be found on our
    Utilities Department

  • If you are in our office by 2:30 p.m., we can get your service on for you that day.
    Utilities Department

  • The bill will be mailed before the 15th of each month. Payment is due by the 30th of each month.
    Utilities Department

  • Water meters are read monthly and usage is billed at a flat rate. The base rates and cost per gallon is determined by several factors. Sewer service is billed as a flat fee and is not based on the amount of water you use. For more information, view our
    Utilities Department

  • Your sewer rate is a flat fee and is not based on the amount of water you use.
    Utilities Department

  • You may pay by mail, in person at Town Hall, by phone at 1-800-830-9058, or online. You may also sign up for an automatic bank draft service. For more information, view our
    Utilities Department

  • Payments are posted the day that we receive them in the mail. If payment is placed in the drop box after 9 a.m., it will be posted the next business day. Online payments are posted when received; however, there can be a delay of 12 - 36 hours before payment is received in our office.
    Utilities Department

  • Payments are due by the 30th of each month. Non-payment within three days from the due date will be subject to a $5 penalty. If any bills remain unpaid 60 days from the due date, all service will be disconnected, and will remain disconnected until all bills have been paid in full, along with a re-connection fee. When service has been disconnected, a personal check will not be accepted.
    Utilities Department

  • Yes, we do give leak adjustments after receiving the request in writing from the customer. The request may be a copy of a plumber's bill or a copy of the receipt for materials used. We do request that the customer keep the account current until any adjustment is made. We generally make adjustments after usage comes back to a normal range to help ensure that the leak has been corrected.



    Utilities Department

  • No, but if you can calculate an approximate cost for filling the pool by using our Schedule of Rates and Fees below. The sewer portion of your bill is not affected by filling a pool.


    Utilities Department

  • Chapin only owns and operates the water lines in the Amick’s Ferry Road area, starting at Bear Creek Road and on Columbia Avenue from Interstate 26 to the Chapin Chamber of Commerce. The City of Columbia owns and operates the remainder of the water lines serving Chapin customers. The entire sewer system is owned and operated by the Town.
    Utilities Department

  • - Gravity - All sewage flows from house into gravity sewer line.

    - Letts Tank - Sewage flows from house into 2-compartment tank. Solids stay in tank and liquids flow into gravity sewer line. Solids should be pumped out every 3 to 5 years.

    - Step or Letts with Pump - In this 2-tank system, sewage flows from house into 2-compartment tank. Solids stay in first tank, and liquids gravity into second tank which contains an effluent pump. Liquids are pumped into a sewer force main. Solids should be pumped out every 3 to 5 years.

    - Grinder - In this 1-tank system, sewage flows from the house into a tank which has a grinder pump. All sewage is ground up and pumped into a sewer force main.
    Utilities Department

Municipal Court

11

  • You must appear on your designated court date and time for all criminal cases and applicable traffic cases. On your designated court date, you will need to either:
    - Appear and plea, or
    - Appear and ask for a continuance/jury trial, or
    - Pay the fine prior to court (ONLY fines of non-mandatory court appearance traffic violations may be made prior to court).

    Traffic violations - Most traffic violations do not require a mandatory court appearance. Please contact the court if you are unsure whether you are required to appear. If you do not appear for court on your designated court date and your fine is unpaid, you may be subject to having your driver's license suspended.

    Criminal offenses - ALL CRIMINAL OFFENSES REQUIRE A MANDATORY COURT APPEARANCE. If you do not appear for court on your designated court date, you may be subject to having a bench warrant issued for your arrest.
    Municipal Court

  • Traffic violations - If you fail to appear for court or pay the traffic fine by the court date, you will be tried in your absence, found guilty of the offense, and sentenced according to the law. You will be mailed a Non-Resident Violator's Compact Notice. If you choose not to pay the fine amount, we will notify the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) to suspend your driver's license until the fine is paid. You may be required to pay reinstatement fees with the SCDMV.

    Criminal offenses - If you fail to appear for court, you will be tried in your absence, found guilty of the offense, and sentenced according to the law. You may be subject to having a bench warrant issued for your arrest.
    Municipal Court

  • The judge imposes sentences. Court staff cannot suggest possible sentences, as different facts and laws may apply to each case. However, certain offenses have mandatory sentences, meaning a judge cannot order a lesser sentence than is required. Other offenses allow a judge to use discretion. If a charge has a mandatory sentence, the judge will inform you at time of sentencing.
    Municipal Court

  • This statement refers to speaking with the officer prior to the judge entering the courtroom on your court date. If you wish to discuss your case with the officer, you will need to check in at 5:00 PM with the clerk in the courtroom on your designated court date. The officer will be notified that you are present in the courtroom. You will be asked to stay seated in the courtroom and must wait for the officer to call your name.
    Municipal Court

  • The judge does not discuss or address any pending cases outside of open court and without all case parties present.
    Municipal Court

  • You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, you may request a court-appointed attorney if you are financially unable to employ counsel (you must meet federal poverty guidelines). Requests can be made with the Chapin Municipal Clerk of Court on your assigned court date.
    Municipal Court

  • Court staff are not permitted nor will they recommend specific attorneys or law firms. You should contact the South Carolina Bar Association's free attorney referral service at 800-868-2284. You may also check phone listings or ask friends and family for recommendations.
    Municipal Court

  • You will need to call the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) at (803) 896-5000 with any questions regarding your license.
    Municipal Court

  • If your driver's license is suspended for failing to pay a traffic ticket fine, you will need to pay the outstanding fine with the particular court you were scheduled to appear before. Once the fine is paid, you will be given a Suspension Withdrawal notice, which you MUST take to the SCDMV as proof the fine has been paid. The court does not fax or e-mail this notice to the defendant or to the SCDMV.
    Municipal Court

  • Points are written into the state statute by the Legislature and cannot be reduced/removed in exchange for a higher paid fine.
    Municipal Court

  • Fines may be paid in person, by mail, or online.

    Payments made in person - Chapin Municipal Court is located inside of the Chapin Town Hall. Acceptable forms of payment include cash, money orders, cashier's checks, debit cards, or credit cards. If you pay using a debit or credit card, you will be charged an additional small fee to use this service. No personal or business checks will be accepted.

    Payments made by mail - Include a copy of your ticket along with a money order or cashier's check for the total fine amount and made payable to "Chapin Municipal Court". DO NOT SEND CASH IN THE MAIL, as it will not be accepted. No personal or business checks will be accepted.

    Payments made online - Click the link below. You will be redirected to the Lexington County homepage. Select "Online Services", select "Traffic Ticket Payment" from the drop-down box, and follow the instructions. Your case number is your ticket number, which can be located in the lower right-hand corner of your ticket.
    Municipal Court

Zoning

3

  • A sign permit is required for any sign ....
    Zoning

  • Go to the Lexington County Parcel Viewer and enter the address using the "Find" tab (magnifying glass icon) in the top right. Once the property is selected located the tax district. Any property within Chapin town limits will be listed as "5C".
    Zoning

  • Yes, the Chapin Zoning ordinance requires that residents or businesses making modifications to an existing structure to submit a zoning permit for site review and the appropriate referrals to Lexington County officials for building permits, Fire Marshall and storm water review. New signage will require a permit, and based on size of expansion and projected use, additional sewer capacity may be required. Contact our Zoning department for more information.

    Zoning
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