Environmental Rules in Charleston County, SC (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Charleston County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Charleston County's Stormwater Management Ordinance requires a permit application before any land-disturbing construction or redevelopment, bans illicit discharges into the county storm sewer system, and lets the Public Works Director fine violators up to $1,000 per day. The article implements the county's federal NPDES permit obligations under the Clean Water Act.
Stormwater Management Rules in Charleston County SC
Some RestrictionsCharleston County Code Sec. 7.5-102
(a) Civil. Any person violating any provision of this article shall be subject to a civil penalty of up to $1,000.00 for each violation. Each separate day of a violation constitutes a new and separate violation. (b) Criminal. In addition to any applicable civil penalties, any owner, operator, or person who willfully, with wanton disregard, or intentionally violates any provision of this Ordinan...
Erosion Control
Any land-disturbing construction project in unincorporated Charleston County must control erosion and sediment under the county's Stormwater Management ordinance. The Public Works Director requires a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan for new and redevelopment projects, and violators face a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per day under Sec. 7.5-86 and 7.5-102.
Erosion & Sediment Control Rules, Charleston County
Some RestrictionsCharleston County Code §§ 7.5-74, 7.5-86, 7.5-102
(a)Uncontrolled stormwater runoff may have significant, adverse impact on the health, safety and general welfare of Charleston County and the quality of life of its citizens. The potential impacts of uncontrolled stormwater can lead to the degradation of water quality and general riverine ecosystem through excessive or illegal pollutant discharges, erosion, and flooding thereby limiting or remo...
Flood Zones
Charleston County Code Chapter 9 ties every building permit in a mapped flood zone to the county's FEMA-adopted Flood Insurance Study and Flood Insurance Rate Maps dated January 29, 2021. Building inspection services reviews site plans, elevations and foundation details before issuing a permit, and new encroachments into a regulatory floodway are barred unless an engineer certifies no rise in flood levels.
Floodplain Development Rules in Charleston County
Some RestrictionsCharleston County Code §§ 9-20, 9-21
Sec. 9-20. - Lands to which this chapter applies. This chapter shall apply to all areas of special flood hazard within the jurisdiction of Charleston County. ... Sec. 9-21. - Basis for establishing the areas of special flood hazard. Charleston County declares that the Charleston County Flood Insurance Study, including the FIRMS, dated January 29, 2021, copies of which are on file in the office ...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Charleston County requires new construction and substantial improvements in a special flood hazard area to reach the design flood elevation, defined as the base flood elevation plus two feet of freeboard. Residential structures in A and AE zones must have their lowest floor at or above that line, and VE-zone buildings must sit on pilings above it.
Freeboard and Elevation Rules in Charleston County
Some RestrictionsCharleston County Code §§ 9-40, 9-41
Sec. 9-40. - General standards. (a) All new construction and substantial improvements within the areas of special flood hazard ... shall comply with the following: ... (2) Be constructed to meet or exceed the required design flood elevation (DFE), which is the base flood elevation plus two feet of freeboard. ... (8) Electrical, ventilation, plumbing, heating and air conditioning equipment (incl...
Environmental Rules by City in Charleston County
2 cities in Charleston County have their own environmental rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Charleston County ordinances
See every category we cover for Charleston County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Charleston County Ordinance Hub →