How to Join the City?

Do you really get a tax credit & reduced water rates if you join the City? Yes, all home or business owners in West Ashley that qualify to join (aka "annex into") the City receive Charleston's property tax credit and a huge reduction on their CWS bills. Homes in the St. Andrews PSD (County jurisdiction) do not qualify. You must join the City to receive the discounts. It is free to apply.

I live in Charleston, but not really?
You work here, shop here and play on a City rec league. You hike or bike on the City's greenways and bikeways, and entertain your four-legged friends at the City's parks. Charleston feels like your home town, but, are you really a part of the City?

If you live in one of the small areas in the middle of town that still haven't been annexed into the city limits of Charleston, then you aren't really a resident of Charleston. That means you pay more in property taxes than City residents, you can't vote in City elections, and you don't have immediate access to the services of the Charleston fire and police departments, to name just a few advantages you're missing. Now is your opportunity to change all of that by annexing into the City and finally making Charleston your official home town.

In South Carolina, residents are afforded the opportunity to specifically request as an individual (or group of neighbors) to incorporate into the surrounding City. The City of Charleston proactively notifies individuals and businesses in county 'enclaves' or 'pockets' of their eligibility to transfer, which means the City is now reaching out to the residents and business owners of those areas to offer them the advantages of annexation. County 'enclaves' are small areas within the City that are surrounded by or touching the City of Charleston but are still under the jurisdiction of Charleston County. New residents to county enclaves are often surprised to learn their homes or businesses are not a part of the City of Charleston. We have decided that it's time to finally unify the community by offering annexation to these areas of the City.

Want to know more?

Join Charleston City has gone diGiTaL! Speak with me (Ana Emelianoff, our annexation coordinator) directly through Plaxo(R), LinkedIN(R), and FACEBOOK(R). Our name is "Join Charleston City." Ask questions, get answers and read other's great experiences with joining the city.




What is annexation?
Annexation means incorporating your property into City limits. It is the process of transferring parcels of land from unincorporated areas of a county into the service area and jurisdiction of a city. Properties brought into the City receive City garbage pickup, emergency services, public services and much more.

How does it work?
1. Submission Process:
Eligible property owners sign an annexation petition and submit it to Ana Emelianoff, Annexation Coordinator via mail, email, fax or delivery.

2. Annexation Process:
Property owners sign an annexation petition and submit it to Ana Emelianoff, Annexation Coordinator via mail, email, fax or delivery. The petition for annexation is presented for approval at two separate city council meetings. Upon final reading, the property is officially within the city limits of Charleston and your City services will begin. The Clerk of Council’s Office will notify all public service providers of the annexation.

3. Zoning Process:
After annexation, the property is assigned a zoning. This zoning corresponds to the zoning that the property had in Charleston or Berkeley County (unless a different zoning is discussed). The zoning process includes a recommendation from Planning Commission and approval from City Council at two separate city council meetings. Once annexed, you will receive a welcome letter from the City of Charleston.

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RELATED DOCUMENTS

2009 Annexation Schedule

Annexation Application (West Ashley)

Annexation Application (Johns Island)

Annexation Application (Cainhoy Area)

Redefining West Ashley as ONE City

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RELATED LINKS

West Ashley Info on Saving in the City

General Info on Joining the City