FOIA Request, General

The City of Loris is committed to transparency of government action and operation, along with open access to public documents, as provided for in the South Carolina Freedom of Information (FOIA) Act below.

Written requests may be delivered via letter, facsimile, email, or other transmission means.  Written requests should be precise and as specific as possible regarding details (names, dates, topics, etc.) to ensure an accurate response.  A Freedom of Information (FOIA) Request Form is provided for the public’s convenience, but the use of the form is not required to make a written request under the Act. 

Submit written general requests to: 

• Loris City Hall – 4101 Walnut Street, Loris, South Carolina  29569;
• Email: CityClerk@CityofLoris.org; or
• Facsimile: (843) 756-3066. 

You may also download the applicable FOIA Request form at the bottom of this page.

In general, the Act allows public bodies ten (10) working days, excluding weekends and legal holidays, to reply to written requests and make a determination regarding the release of documents and records.  The Act grants access to the information most conveniently and practically for the requester if that is also most convenient for the public body.  It does not require public bodies to make copies of documents or to create new records summarizing public records.  The City may impose reasonable rules concerning the time and place of access.

Freedom of Information requests that are particularly voluminous or time-consuming may result in charges to the requester to recover the cost of public resources spent in fulfilling the request.  Such charges shall not exceed the actual cost of searching for and/or providing access to or copies of the requested documents.  An estimate of the cost will be provided on request, and a deposit may be required.

Under the South Carolina Code of Law, FOIA cannot be used for commercial purposes – § 30-2-50(A):  “A person or private entity shall not knowingly obtain or use personal information obtained from a state agency, a local government, or other political subdivision of the State for commercial solicitation directed to any person in this State”; and § 30-2-50(D):  “A person knowingly violating the provisions of subsection (A) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined an amount not to exceed five hundred dollars or imprisoned for a term not to exceed one year, or both”.