How we move through the matrix is guided by a framework that outlines a flexible, data-driven four phase approach to opening City of Charleston offices and facilities.

We are in Phase IV

effective November 22, 2021

Matrix of use-specific or service line conditions for each phase

  Phase I Phase II Phase III Phase IV
"NEW NORMAL"
Indicators New Cases: Green for 14 to 21 days
Employee Safety: Green
Hospital Capacity: Green
Testing: Green
Public Health: Green
Social Mobility: Green or yellow
New Cases: Green for 14 to 21 days since Phase I
Employee Safety: Green
Hospital Capacity: Green
Testing: Green
Public Health: Green
Social Mobility: Green or yellow
New Cases: Green for 14 to 21 days since Phase II
Employee Safety: Green
Hospital Capacity: Green
Testing: Green
Public Health: Green
Social Mobility: Green or yellow
New Cases: Green for 14 to 21 days since Phase III
Employee Safety: Green
Hospital Capacity: Green
Testing: Green
Public Health: Green
Social Mobility: Green or yellow
OFFICE FACILITIES
Attending meetings Indoor meetings should not be held unless necessary and only when current social distancing guidelines can be adhered to. Employees will wear masks when moving into or leaving the meeting space and in common areas. Outdoor meetings should be limited in size to current gathering size limitations. Employees should not attend any indoor meetings where occupancy limits are not posted and/or cannot be adhered to. Masks should be worn when current social distancing guidance cannot be adhered to, when moving into or leaving the meeting space, and in any common areas. Outdoor meetings should be limited in size to current gathering size limitations. Virtual meetings are strongly encouraged. Masks must be worn for any indoor meetings and occupancy limits set by the Safety Office should be adhered to. Outdoor meetings should be limited in size to current gathering size limitations, if any. Follow current social gathering limit guidance from DHEC/CDC and competent public health authorities. Expect mask wearing might become optional.
City Offices No public access. Staff must wear masks in any common areas. Access doors remain locked and opened by security card only. Occupancy limits at current CDC guidelines. All offices have posted ingress/egress and occupancy for any areas where staff may or tend to congregate. Increased disinfecting and cleaning of common surfaces. Public access is by appointment only. Visitors and staff must wear masks in any common areas and while interacting with City staff. Access doors remain locked and opened by security card and security guard only. Occupancy limits at current CDC guidelines. All offices have posted ingress/egress and occupancy for any areas where staff may or tend to congregate. Offices open to the public. Visitors and staff must wear masks in any common areas and while interacting. Access door schedule is normal. Expect offices are open to the public while adhering to guidelines from DHEC/CDC and competent public health authorities.
Common Areas and Entrances Employees will wear masks when they leave desk to enter common areas. Visitors (such as vendors, retired employees, new employees, etc.) will also be required to wear masks and will be provided one, if needed. Occupany limits will be posted for common areas. Employees and visitors will wear masks when they leave desk to enter any common areas. Visitors will be provided masks if needed. Limited entrance doors open only as needed. Occupany limits will be posted for common areas. Employees and visitors will wear masks when they leave desk to enter any common areas. Visitors will be provided masks if needed. Expect offices are open to the public while adhering to guidelines from DHEC/CDC and competent public health authorities.
Municipal Courts The court will remain closed, until State orders to reopen and/or as deemed necessary with clear safety guidelines in place. Pending opening by the State's Chief Justice, the Court will schedule several smaller court sessions and utilize both courts rooms. (More detail to come.) Jury trials will not be held. Everyone in court room wears face masks unless they can be more than 6 feet apart. The City will conduct business as directed by the State's Chief Justice, while adhering to current CDC guidance and state or local COVID-19 mandates. New normal operations as directed by the State's Chief Justice.
Parking Adjudication The adjudication process will be initiated through the call center. No hearings will take place in person. The adjudication process will be initiated through the call center. No hearings will take place in person. The adjudication process will be initiated through the call center. No hearings will take place in person. To appeal your City of Charleston parking ticket, you must make an appointment with an adjudications officer within 30 days of the date the ticket is issued. Please sign up for an appointment at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/adjhearings.
Parking Ticket Collections and Residential Parking Permits The office is closed. Payments are made online or by mail. The office is closed. Payments are made online or by mail. If deemed necessary and can be done safely, limited in person appointments may begin. Residential parking permit applications and payments are accepted by mail on June 1 or in person appointments. Residential parking permit applications and payments are accepted by mail on June 1 or in person appointments.
Permit Center Will remain closed. All business will be done online. Permit Center will be open from 10 am to 3 pm and will be limited to specific number of customers at a time based on CDC/DHEC/City occupany limits. Lines taped on floor to direct movement/waiting areas. Spaced waiting lines will also need to be taped on floor into the lobby. Permit Center staff act as 'traffic-control', directing customers. Limited services available. No ‘on-the-spot’ permits will be available. All offices have posted ingress/egress and occupancy for any areas where staff may or tend to congregate. Visitors and staff must wear masks in any common areas. Online transactions are the preferred method and encouraged. View more details. Permit Center will be open for in-person business from 9AM-2PM. Permit Center staff act as 'traffic-control', directing customers. All staff stations will be equipped with sneeze-guards. Visitors and staff must wear masks in any common areas. All offices have posted ingress/egress and occupancy for any areas where staff may or tend to congregate. Online transactions are the preferred method and encouraged. View more details. Permit Center will be open for in-person business from 9AM-2PM beginning Monday, May 24th, but we continue to encourage online transactions but expand services. Maintain Phase III precautions as guided by DHEC/CDC and competent public health authorities.View more details.
T&T Permits Will remain closed. All business will be done online. Encourage transactions to be completed online, but some can be done via appointment only as needed. Encourage transactions to be completed online, but some can be done via appointment only as needed. Continue to encourage online transactions but continue appointment only permitting as needed.
TOURISM FACILITIES & PROGRAMS
City Leased Facilities (Aquarium, The Joe) Will remain closed. After lifting of the Governor's order, facility operators will need to have a city approved safety plan in place before opening to the public. Can continue to operate under city approved safety plans. Can continue to operate under city approved safety plans.
City-run Tourism Facilities (Angel Oak, Old Exchange Building, Old Slave Mart Museum) Will remain closed. After lifting of the Governor's order, the facility will be open once protocols are in place adhering to all current CDC guidelines and City ordinances. Remove all printed collateral material including maps, guides, brochures, etc. Control capacity to current guidelines by counting guests in and out through defined flow of traffic. Ensure proper distancing between staff and guests at all times. Staff and visitors are required to wear masks. The facility will be open adhering to all current CDC guidelines and City ordinances. Remove all printed collateral material including maps, guides, brochures, etc. Control capacity to current guidelines by counting guests in and out through defined flow of traffic. Ensure proper distancing between staff and guests at all times. Staff and visitors are required to wear masks. The facility will be open adhering to all current CDC guidelines and City ordinances.
Maritime Center Docks for transient boat reservations and the Center, itself, will remain closed. Consider allowing commercial boats to operate out of the Maritime Center with city approved plans, however public restrooms will not be available. Allow fuel and ice sales. Docks for transient boat reservations and the Center, itself, will remain closed including public restrooms.

After lifting of the Governor's order, commercial boats will be allowed to operate out of the Maritime Center with city approved plans. The facility, including bathrooms will open when protocols are in place to do so safely.
Allow fuel, ice sales, and overnight berthing. Docks for transient boat reservations and the Center are open. Commercial boats can operate out of the Maritime Center with city approved plans. Center will be open adhering to all current CDC guidelines and City ordinances.
Bus Tours, Horse Carriage Tours, and Walking Tours Will remain closed. After lifting of the Governor's order, these tours can resume with city approved safety plans in place. Tours can operate with city approved plans in place. Tours can operate with city approved plans in place.
PARKS & RECREATION
Recreation Programming and Recreation Facilities Protocols will be adjusted if/when we return to this phase. Protocols will be adjusted if/when we return to this phase. Programming is normal. Masks are required indoors unless participating in an exercise or fitness activity which will be limited to maintain safe social distancing. Follow CDC guidelines but open to 100% capacity.
City Parks Open for exercise only. Effective 05/15/2020 bathrooms open and extra cleaning efforts in place. Open and encourage proper social distancing and other guidance from the CDC with signage. Open and encourage any current guidance from the CDC with signage. Open.
Playgrounds Will remain closed. Open with social distancing and personal responsibility for cleaning equipment and risk by signage. Open with social distancing and personal responsibility for cleaning equipment and risk by signage. Open with social distancing and personal responsibility for cleaning equipment and risk by signage.
Senior Centers (Lowcountry Senior Center, West Ashley Senior Center) Will remain closed. Begin phased re-opening with fitness room use by reservation. Temperature checks and social distancing and CDC guidelines. No restrooms or locker rooms. Continue phased re-opening with fitness room use by reservation. We will monitor and adopt current CDC guidelines. Continue re-opening following all CDC guidelines.
CULTURAL FACILITIES & PROGRAMS
134 Cannon St/Waterfront Gallery Will remain closed. Will remain closed. Consider opening for private events that can adhere to all current CDC guidelines, State laws, and City ordinances. The facility may open for private events that can adhere to all current CDC guidelines, State laws, and City ordinances.
Dock Street Theater Will remain closed. As allowed by the City's Emergency Ordinance and lifting of the Governor's order, the facility will be open for tour groups that have been approved to operate in the City of Charleston. No performances. The facility will be open for tour groups that have been approved to operate in the City of Charleston. Performances that can adhere to current CDC guidance may be considered. The facility will be open for tour groups that have been approved to operate in the City of Charleston. Performances that can adhere to current CDC guidance may be considered.
Farmers Market Will remain closed. Monitor CDC guidance to open a very limited basis. Farmers only, vendor spaces delineated with barricades to adhere to current people per square footage guidance. Queue lines managed to follow current social distancing guidelines. No activities or entertaiment provided. No tables or chairs. All visitors must adhere to current social distancing guidelines. Hand sanitizing stations will be available. Ideally have hand washing stations, if they are available. Open, but limited vendors for proper spacing between vendors. Farmers and essentials vendors only. No activities or entertainment provided. Encourage all visitors adhere to current CDC guidance. Hand sanitizing stations throughout market, hand washing stations/restroom trailer at entrance/holding area. Number of vendors, traffic patterns, activities, and entertainment will depend on current CDC guidelines.
ENFORCEMENT & SERVICES
Board & Committee Meetings All public board meetings (BAR, BZA-Z, BZA-SD, BAR-L, BAR-S, DRB, PC) cancelled through May 25, 2020. TRC meetings held virtually. All plans submitted digitally. Committees continue to meet virtually. All public board meetings held virtually. All plans submitted digitally. Committees continue to meet virtually. All public board meetings held virtually. All plans submitted digitally. May consider accepting some paper plans through the Permit Center if deemed necessary and can be done safely. Public board meetings held in person, in large venues capable of proper social distancing. Mask wearing may be required. Meetings will follow guidelines from CDC, SCDHEC, and health authorities. Provide virtual option for staff, board members, and citizens who have underlying health conditions or who are unwilling to attend a socially distanced meeting. Digital plan submittal strongly encouraged but paper applications/plans will be accepted.
Building, Fire Marshal, and Planning Inspections Field inspections will continue, when practical, based on guidance from CDC, DHEC and competent public health authorities.
City deemed non-critical inspections and inspections of existing occupied structures may be deferred or delayed or can be done safely.
Field Inspections are required to wear facemasks in enclosed areas where currrent social distancing guidelines cannot be followed.
The City will not inspect buildings and structures that have more people congregated in enclosed areas the mandated by the Governor or City Council.
The City inspector may ask for occupants to vacate in order to conduct the inspection.
The City inspector may ask for the inspection to be rescheduled when the areas/buildings are cleared of occupants.
The City will not inspect building and structures with occupants who are suspected of, or notify the inspector of, being sick or ill.
Field inspections continue as in Phase I based on current guidance from CDC, DHEC and competent public health authorities. City deemed non-critical inspections can be scheduled, but all inspection site conditions must meet current safety guidelines. Field inspections continue as in Phase II based on current guidance from CDC, DHEC and competent public health authorities. Field inspections continue as in Phase III based on current guidance from CDC, DHEC and competent public health authorities.
Field Crews (Parks, Public Service, Stormwater and T&T) Establish one way paths through to timeclocks and collection of needed daily resources. Teams meet at pre-designated outdoor locations to minimize potential for congregating. Encouraged to limit one person per vehicle. Masks must be worn in vehicles with more than one person, windows down, fan on high outside air until you reach the worksite and can distance. Wipe down equipment and time clocks after shift. Temperature checks in place or available. Establish one way paths through to timeclocks and collection of needed daily resources. Teams meet at pre-designated outdoor locations to minimize potential for congregating. Encouraged to limit one person per vehicle. Masks must be worn in vehicles with more than one person, windows down, fan on high outside air until you reach the worksite and can distance. Wipe down equipment and time clocks after shift. Temperature checks in place or available. Establish one way paths through to timeclocks and collection of needed daily resources. Teams meet at pre-designated outdoor locations to minimize potential for congregating. Masks must be worn in vehicles with more than one person, windows down, fan on high outside air until you reach the worksite and can distance. Wipe down equipment and time clocks after shift. Temperature checks in place or available. Establish one way paths through to timeclocks and collection of needed daily resources. Teams meet at pre-designated outdoor locations to minimize potential for congregating. Masks must be worn in vehicles with more than one person, windows down, fan on high outside air until you reach the worksite and can distance. Wipe down equipment and time clocks after shift. Temperature checks in place or available.
Parking Enforcement No enforcement of parking meters. Will enforce prohibited zones and residential areas. Effective 05/14/2020, full enforcement with the exception of parking meters. Full enforcement, with the exception of parking meters after 6:00 pm Full enforcement, with the exception of parking meters after 6:00 pm Expect full enforcement to resume.
Special Events No special events. No special events. Special event applications are required to submit COVID safety plans that will be reviewed and approved by an internal COVID task force. Based on the current CDC guidance, indoor events will be required to have more robust COVID safety plans. Encourage that all special events have COVID safety plans in place that adhere to current CDC guidance as well as state and local ordinances.