Information will be added here before, during, and after a storm.

Mayor Tecklenburg Isolating at Home with Mild Symptoms After Positive Covid-19 Test

Charleston, S.C. — Mayor John Tecklenburg is isolating at home and showing mild, head-cold-type symptoms after testing positive for Covid-19.

Mayor Tecklenburg plans to attend all City Council meetings this week virtually, in accordance with CDC ...

As Crowds Return, City Works with Merchants to Clear Obstacles from Sidewalks

Charleston, S.C. — Following a suspension of enforcement due to the Covid-19 pandemic, city of Charleston enforcement officers will begin citing businesses using sandwich boards and pedestal signs within sidewalks’ rights-of-way on Mon...

Monday’s Bulk Trash Pickup Disrupted Due to Fire at Spring Grove Landfill

Charleston, S.C. — Due to a fire at the Republic Services Spring Grove Landfill in North Charleston on Monday, May 9, 2022, bulk trash (home construction materials, appliances, furniture, and the like) could not be collected today.

As a result, C...

City testing new technology that could eventually give boots the boot

For years, cities and citizens alike have struggled with traditional parking-enforcement boots, which are used to immobilize vehicles due to excessive unpaid parking tickets.

Starting Monday, May 9, 2022, City of Charleston Parking officers will begin a pi...

Trash Pickup On One-Day Delay for Parts of Charleston; Garbage Pickup Remains On Schedule

Due to continued large volumes, trash pickup will be delayed one day for downtown, inner West Ashley and James Island residents for the remainder of the week. Outer West Ashley, Johns Island and Daniel Island will remain on a normal trash pickup schedule....

City of Charleston and Charleston County to Host First ‘Electric Lawn Equipment Expo’

Charleston, S.C. — The City of Charleston and Charleston County are hosting their first “Electric Lawn Equipment Expo” on April 30, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lowe’s Home Improvement store in West Ashley at ...

‘Sweetgrass Baskets of Peace’ Unveiled at Charleston International Airport Thursday

Charleston, S.C.— Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg, Explore Charleston CEO and Charleston County Aviation Authority Chair Helen Hill, Bloomberg Philanthropies Women’s Economic Development Initiative leader V...

Trash Pickup On One-Day Delay For Parts Of City Of Charleston; Garbage Pickup Remains On Schedule

Due to unusually large volumes of debris created from last week’s wind and rain storms, trash pickup will be delayed one day for downtown, inner West Ashley and James Island residents for the remainder of the week. Outer West Ashley, Johns Islan...

City of Charleston Closing Recreation Centers at 5 p.m. Tuesday, BZA Meeting Canceled

Due to the latest enhanced risk of severe weather from the National Weather Service for Tuesday evening – including a chance of damaging winds exceeding 60-plus mph, a low-end threat of isolated tornadoes and brief, heavy rainfall – the city will close it...

City of Charleston Offers Special Event Parking Garage Rate for Cooper River Bridge Run Participants

Charleston, S.C.—The City of Charleston will offer a special event flat parking rate of $5 for Cooper River Bridge Run participants at three downtown parking garages beginning at 5 p.m., Friday, April 1, until 2 p.m., Saturday, April 2. ...

March 19 Farmers Market Canceled Due to Inclement Weather Forecast, Special Market Added March 26

Due to the risk of severe weather including high winds and thunderstorms forecast for Saturday, March 19, 2022, the Charleston Farmers Market in Marion Square has been canceled. 

Since this is the second week in a row that the market has been canc...

Applications Open for Mayor’s Youth Commission

Applications are now open for rising 9^th through 12^th grade students in Charleston County interested in serving on the Mayor’s Youth Commission. 

About the Commission: The Mayor’s Youth Commission gives young people a meaningfu...

March 12 Farmers Market Canceled Due to Inclement Weather Forecast

Due to high winds and heavy rain forecast for Saturday, March 12, 2022, the Charleston Farmers Market in Marion Square has been canceled. 

The Market is expected to resume on Saturday, March 19, 2022, weather permitting. Please note, the market wi...

City of Charleston to Host Small Business Opportunity Expo at Gaillard Center

The city of Charleston’s Business Services Division will host the 2022 Small Business Opportunity Expo on Thursday, March 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Gaillard Center, located at 2 George Street. The annual event provides an opportunity for l...

City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs Announces Creek by Creek

The city of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs presents its newest exhibition, Creek by Creek, which will be on view March 18 through May 8, 2022 at the City Gallery, located at 34 Prioleau Street.

Creek by Creek is a collaborative effort by ar...

Mayor John Tecklenburg Releases Statement in Support of Ukrainian People

Today, Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg released the following statement in support of the Ukrainian people as the flag of Ukraine flies at City Hall (photo here):

"Charleston has a long history of ceremonially raising national flags over City Hall, ...

Registration Open for Mayor’s Youth Commission Virtual Summit Session

The city of Charleston Mayor’s Youth Commission will host a Virtual Summit Session regarding media information literacy on Saturday, February 26, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The free session, open to middle and high school students throughout t...

Backgrounder on "The Robert E. Lee Memorial Highway" Marker

Today, in response to media inquiries, the city released the following backgrounder on the Robert E. Lee Memorial Highway marker:

On July 21, 2020, the city of Charleston received an email from the Charleston School of Math + Science requesting the removal...

Charleston City Council to Hold Special Meeting Tuesday, February 8

On Tuesday, February 8, 2022, Charleston City Council will hold a special meeting on Johns Island for the purpose of hearing appeals from property owners who believe they should not be included in the Johns Island Municipal Improvement District. The meeti...

City of Charleston to Host Financial Empowerment Town Hall

The city of Charleston is partnering with local tax preparation and financial empowerment experts to host a virtual Financial Empowerment Town Hall on Monday, January 31, 2022 from 7 to 8 p.m. via Zoom.

Why it matters: Every year, residents who ar...

City of Charleston to Host Mentor Recruitment Fair

The city of Charleston Mayor’s Mentoring Consortium will host a Mentor Recruitment Fair to raise awareness of the importance of mentorship and supporting local youth on Saturday, February 5, 2022 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Arthur W. Christophe...

City Begins Final Phase of Denmark Vesey Statue Restoration

This morning, city Parks Department crews and expert representatives from the private sector began the final phase of repairs to the Denmark Vesey statue, during which the statue was detached from its base to allow the existing frame to be removed for rep...

Incorrect Online Claims Lead to Confusion Regarding Proposed City Ordinance

Based on questions received by the city over the past several days, an online petition is apparently causing confusion about an ordinance that Charleston City Council will consider during their meeting tomorrow night.

The ordinance, which would create a Hu...

City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs Announces Griots of Cotton, Indigo, and Clay

The City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs presents Griots of Cotton, Indigo, and Clay, on view January 17 through February 28, 2022 at City Gallery, located at 34 Prioleau Street.

Griots of Cotton, Indigo, and Clay debuts the permanent col...

City of Charleston to Host AmeriCorps VISTA Virtual Information Session for 2022 Site Selection

The city of Charleston will host a Virtual Information Session for the 2022 AmeriCorps VISTA Site Selection Process to provide an overview of the program, and review related regulations and site requirements for organizations interested in hosting a VISTA...

City Announces 99.7 Percent Compliance with COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

Following yesterday’s deadline for compliance with the city’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, 90 percent of city employees have been vaccinated and 9.7 percent have received medical or religious accommodations, for an overall compliance r...

City of Charleston Prepares for Saturday Morning Tidal Flooding

Due to current high tide and rainfall projections, city officials are preparing for the likelihood of major tidal flooding in low-lying areas of the city Saturday morning. 

What to expect: While the forecast is subject to change, National...

City of Charleston Urges Motorists to Prepare for Major Flooding Thursday into the Weekend

Major tidal flooding is anticipated in low lying areas of the city during morning high tides Thursday through Saturday this week. With that in mind, City of Charleston Emergency Management officials urge motorists to use caution when driving on the roadwa...

City of Charleston Department of Housing and Community Development Announces Funding Opportunities

Applications are now open for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Community Planning and Development, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) and Housing Opportunities for Persons w...

City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs Announces City Gallery Exhibition

The City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs today announced its next City Gallery exhibition, Prototype for a Landscape, which will open on Friday, October 22, 2021 and remain on view through Sunday, December 19, 2021 at 34 Prioleau Street. ...

City of Charleston Low Battery Seawall Project to Receive Statewide Honor at Tonight’s City Council

At tonight’s meeting of Charleston City Council, which will take place virtually at 5 p.m., the South Carolina Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers will present the city with the 2021 South Carolina Technical Merit Award for its wo...

Mayor Tecklenburg Statement on Employee COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

Today, Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg sent the attached email to all city staff regarding the new COVID-19 vaccination policy for city employees and released the following statement:

“With new COVID-19 cases surging and the highly contagious d...

Reminder: Annual First Day Festival Set for Sunday, August 8

The city of Charleston’s annual First Day Festival will take place on Sunday, August 8, 2021 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Gaillard Center (2 George Street) and the South Carolina Aquarium (100 Aquarium Wharf). Each year, the festival serves as a cele...

Special Commission on Equity, Inclusion and Racial Conciliation to Discuss Draft Report

Tonight, the Special Commission on Equity, Inclusion and Racial Conciliation will meet at 5:30 p.m. to discuss their draft report, which includes 125 recommendations on ways to promote racial justice and racial equity in the city of Charleston.

The commiss...

Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg Statement Regarding the Tragic Passing of Clarissa Saunders

Today, Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg released the following statement regarding the tragic passing of Clarissa Saunders:

“Sandy and I are heartbroken to hear of the tragic loss of Clarissa Saunders, beloved mother to Raven Saunders and a cher...

City of Charleston to Host Olympic Finals Watch Party in Support of Charleston Native Raven Saunders

The city of Charleston will host an Olympic Finals Watch Party in support of Charleston native and Olympic shot putter Raven Saunders at 8 p.m., Saturday, July 31, 2021 at the Arthur W. Christopher Community Center, located at 265 Fishburne Street.&nb...

Tecklenburg statement: Thanks to extraordinary vaccines, this is now an ‘optional pandemic.’

After today’s press conference with MUSC Health CEO Dr. Patrick Cawley urging citizens to get the COVID-19 vaccine, Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg summarized his remarks in the following statement:

“In recent days, I’ve hea...

City of Charleston Awarded 2021 AARP Community Challenge Grant for Philip Simmons Park Improvements

The city of Charleston Parks Department was selected as a 2021 recipient of AARP’s Community Challenge Grant, which will facilitate a number of improvements to Philip Simmons Park in Charleston’s Eastside neighborhood, including an ove...

Annual ‘Operation Move-out’ Initiative to Begin July 29

The city of Charleston’s annual “Operation Move-out” initiative will begin at 8 a.m. on Thursday, July 29 and be conducted through 5 p.m. on Tuesday, August 3, excluding Sunday, August 1. During this time, tenants are asked t...

Tropical Storm Elsa Recovery Efforts Underway in City of Charleston

City of Charleston recovery efforts have been underway since daybreak following last night’s severe weather related to Tropical Storm Elsa. 

Crews from across city departments are assisting with recovery efforts and report the following ...

City of Charleston Prepares for Possible Impacts from Tropical Storm Elsa

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for parts of South Carolina, including Charleston and Berkeley Counties, in anticipation of Tropical Storm Elsa. While the forecast continues to change, city of Charleston Emergency Ma...

July 7 West Ashley Farmers Market Canceled

Due to the potential for severe weather in tomorrow’s forecast, the West Ashley Farmers Market scheduled to take place in Ackerman Park has been canceled. The market is expected to resume regular operations next week.

City of Charleston Prepares for Severe Thunderstorms

According to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service, a line of severe thunderstorms is expected to impact the Charleston area this afternoon, producing as much as three inches of rain, with locally higher amounts possible, between 3 and 8 p...

City of Charleston Recognizes National HIV Testing Day

Today, in honor of National HIV Testing Day on Sunday, June 27^th, Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg and regional healthcare professionals held a press conference encouraging Charleston residents to get tested. 

The city of Charleston is now in its...

City of Charleston to Offer Summer of Service Events for Local Youth

Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC) of Charleston will hold a Summer of Service series of service projects, leadership development opportunities and team building events for local youth between the ages of 11 and 18, beginning Monday, June 28, 2021 and ending Sun...

Mayor Tecklenburg Expresses Support for US Infrastructure Investments

Today, Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg released the following statement:

In just the past two weeks, our region experienced major rain storms that resulted in flood waters in our neighborhoods and streets.  In one storm we had over 5 inches of r...

City of Charleston to Host Free Fourth of July Celebration

The city of Charleston will host a free Fourth of July concert featuring the Charleston Symphony with special guests Charlton Singleton and Quiana Parler at 8 p.m., July 4, 2021 at “The Joe.” 

The family friendly, upbeat musica...

City of Charleston Monitors Potential Tropical Cyclone Three

City of Charleston Emergency Management officials are in close contact with the National Weather Service as they monitor Potential Tropical Cyclone Three, which is currently in the Gulf of Mexico. While it is too soon to know what impacts the storm may ha...

Dale Morris Named City of Charleston’s New Chief Resilience Officer

At a press conference this afternoon in the Church Creek area of West Ashley, Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg announced the appointment of Dutch Dialogues Co-Founder Dale Morris as the city of Charleston’s new Chief Resilience Officer...

City of Charleston to Host Webinar Regarding Johns Island Restoration Plan to Improve Flood Resilien

The city of Charleston Stormwater Department will host a virtual webinar to discuss flood resiliency on Johns Island at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 17, 2021 via Zoom.

The webinar is being held as part of the department’s ongoing Johns Island Rest...

City Crews Respond to Overnight Flooding

Following last night’s storms that dumped several inches of rain across Charleston, city crews are responding and report the following:

Environmental Services Division: Street sweeping and grounds custodian teams are working to clean up the waste...

Mayor John Tecklenburg Statement on Recent Acts of Vandalism

Today, Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg released the following statement in response to the recent acts of vandalism at the Denmark Vesey statue in Hampton Park and U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace’s home on Daniel Island:

“These cowardly acts of ...

City of Charleston Investigates Vandalism of Denmark Vesey Monument

Earlier today, in response to citizen reports, city of Charleston police officers inspected the Denmark Vesey monument in Hampton Park and discovered significant damage to the statue's granite pedestal.

The damage is believed to have been caused b...

CITY OF CHARLESTON POLICE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT 2021

View the report here

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"Talk Around CPD" May 2022 Newsletter

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Community Outreach April Newsletter

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2022 Promotions, Retirements, and Commendations CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS

Congratulations to everyone!

2021 Business Licenses to Expire April 30, 2022

Cities and towns located in SC are now required to standardize their business license practices due to the passage of Act 176. As such, 2021 City of Charleston Business Licenses will expire on April 30, 2022.

The 2022 license year will run from May 1, 2022...

Connect with the City via Text

As part of its customer service offerings, the city of Charleston is now using Citibot, an interactive text messaging and customer service tool for civic engagement with government.

With Citibot, residents and visitors of Charleston can use text message-ba...

Opportunities Available to Learn More about Charleston's New Climate Action Plan

A bold strategy to address our changing climate.  Charleston's new Climate Action Plan was created with assistance from hundreds of community members and formally adopted in May 2021 by City Council.  It is a 5-year strategic fr...