NEWBERRY — The South Carolina Non-Ferrous metals law changed significantly on Sunday and it is important for citizens and businesses who engage in the collection and selling of scrap metal, especially non-ferrous metals, and the demolition of cars to understand how the new law might affect them.

Beginning Sunday, citizens will no longer be able to call into the Sheriff’s Office to obtain a 48 hour non-ferrous metals permit. Permits will only be issued at the Sheriff’s Office during normal business hours and all permits expire on the permit holders second birthday from the date the permit is issued. While there is still no fee for the permit to transport and sell non-ferrous metals, there is a fee if a replacement permit is needed during the valid dates of the permit.

All permits issued under the old law remain valid until there date of expiration.

Other changes in the “Copper Law” include certain exceptions and exemptions from the law for the business community selling or purchasing scrap metal from another business, governmental entity, a manufacturing or industrial vendor that generates or sells regulated metals in the ordinary course of business, or is a holder of a retail license, an authorized wholesaler, an automobile demolisher as defined in Section 56-5-5810 (d), a contractor licensed pursuant to Chapter 11 Title 40, a residential home builder licensed pursuant to Chapter 59, Title 40, a demolition contractor, a provider of gas service, electric service, communications services water service, plumbing service, electrical service, climate conditioning service, core recycling service appliance repair service, automotive repair service, or electronics repair service, or organizations, corporations, or associations registered with the state as charitable organizations or any non-profit organization. Additionally, no manhole cover or drainage grate may be sold for scrap.

There is also major change in the law as it relates to the disposal of vehicles for scrap or demolition. As of Sunday, the only way an auto demolisher may purchase a vehicle for the purpose of demolishing the vehicle, the seller must provide one of the following four items: 1. Title to the Vehicle; 2. A magistrate bill of sale; 3. An affidavit provided by DMV swearing ownership (auto must be held for 72 hours before being demolished; 4. A Sheriff’s Certificate of Disposal (only for vehicles 12 years old or older and completely inoperable). A vehicle should not be considered ‘inoperable’ merely because it does not have a battery or key for the ignition if by appearance the vehicle appears operable.

If you have any questions about the new law or how it affects you, please do not hesitate to contact the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office at 321-2211.