Environmental Rules in Berkeley County, SC (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Berkeley County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Berkeley County's Stormwater Management Ordinance, sections 65-981 through 65-1052, controls drainage, erosion and pollutant discharge from construction and developed land across the unincorporated "regulated area." It exists because the county must hold an NPDES small-MS4 permit, and it puts the county engineer in charge of site review, inspections, illicit-discharge enforcement, and fines up to $1,000 a day.
Berkeley County Stormwater Management Ordinance
Some RestrictionsBerkeley County Code of Ordinances § 65-984 (Findings); § 65-985 (Purpose)
Berkeley County is required by federal law [33 U.S.C 1342(p) and 40 CFR 122.26] and by State law [S. C. Code Reg. 61-9 122.32 & 122.33] to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control ("SCDHEC") for stormwater discharges from Berkeley County's stormwater systems. The NPDES General Permit for Storm ...
Erosion Control
Berkeley County Code Sec. 11-62 ties every project to the county's Stormwater Drainage Ordinance and sets a sodding floor for new residential construction: front and side yards must be sodded, rear yards at least hydro-seeded, and any swale or graded slope over 15 percent sodded, with a narrow flowerbed exception.
Berkeley County New-Construction Erosion Control
Some RestrictionsBerkeley County Code of Ordinances § 11-62
All properties shall comply with the Berkeley County Stormwater Drainage Ordinance. New residential construction shall, at a minimum, sod front and side yards, hydro-seed rear yards, sod all swales and graded slopes exceeding 15 percent. Areas that are not affected by construction and have natural vegetation established are exempt from these requirements. Flowerbeds around the perimeter of the ...
Flood Zones
Berkeley County requires a floodplain development permit before any construction begins in a FEMA-mapped special flood hazard area, under Chapter 26 of the county code. New residential structures must be elevated at least two feet above the base flood elevation, and violations carry fines up to $500.00 under Sec. 26-40.
Berkeley County Floodplain Development Permit
Significant RestrictionsBerkeley County Code of Ordinances §§ 26-35, 26-71(1)
Sec. 26-35. - Establishment of development permit. A development permit shall be required in conformance with the provisions of this chapter prior to the commencement of any development activities. ... (1)Residential construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure (including manufactured homes) shall have the lowest floor elevated no lower than two feet a...
Flood Elevation Requirements
In special flood hazard areas with base flood elevation data, Berkeley County requires new construction and substantial improvements to elevate the lowest floor at least two feet above base flood elevation, with no basements allowed. The rule covers residential, commercial and manufactured housing under County Code § 26-71, enforced by the local floodplain administrator.
Berkeley County Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsBerkeley County Code of Ordinances § 26-71(1)
New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure (including manufactured homes) shall have the lowest floor elevated no lower than two feet above the base flood elevation. No basements are permitted. Should solid foundation perimeter walls be used to elevate a structure, flood openings sufficient to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces, shall be provided in a...
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