Environmental Rules in Florence County, SC (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Florence County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Unincorporated Florence County requires a stormwater management and sediment control permit for land disturbing activity under Chapter 9.5, administered by the county Engineering Division under its NPDES permit. Florence County Code § 9.5-28 requires a plan before any permit issues, § 9.5-29 sets a 20-working-day review clock, and § 9.5-35 backs the program with civil penalties up to $1,000.00 per violation.
Stormwater Permits in Unincorporated Florence County
Some RestrictionsFlorence County Code §§ 9.5-28, 9.5-29, 9.5-30, 9.5-35
Unless otherwise exempt under this article, all land disturbing activities are required to obtain permit coverage for their stormwater discharges by submitting a stormwater management and sediment control plan. The plan shall be prepared in accordance with the requirements of section 9.5-51 of this chapter and the Florence County Stormwater Design Manual. ... The person responsible for the land...
Erosion Control
Florence County's stormwater and sediment control ordinance exists in large part to stop excessive soil erosion and sedimentation on unincorporated land, per § 9.5-1's purpose clause. Construction sites disturbing more than one acre must be inspected by 'qualified personnel' trained in erosion and sediment control practices under § 9.5-34, and violators of the article face a civil penalty of up to $1,000.00 under § 9.5-35.
Erosion Control in Unincorporated Florence County
Some RestrictionsFlorence County Code §§ 9.5-1, 9.5-34, 9.5-35
this stormwater management and sediment control article is enacted to protect the lands and waters from the effects of excessive soil erosion and sedimentation, to prevent siltation of streams and lakes, to prevent clogging of draining channels, to prevent excessive flood damage and to prevent damage to the property of adjacent landowners. ... For projects that disturb more than one acre, the t...
Flood Zones
Anyone developing land in unincorporated Florence County's FH Flood Hazard District must get a development permit from the local administrator before any construction begins. Applications require scaled plans showing floodplain contours, structure elevations, and drainage facilities. Violating a stop-work order once construction begins is a misdemeanor under County Code § 30-61.
Florence County Floodplain Development Permit
Some RestrictionsFlorence County Code § 30-61(a), (d)(2)
(a)Development permit. Application for a development permit shall be made to the local administrator on forms furnished by him or her prior to any development activities. The development permit may include, but not be limited to, plans in duplicate drawn to scale showing: the nature, location, dimensions, and elevations of the area in question; existing or proposed structures; and the location ...
Flood Elevation Requirements
In unincorporated Florence County's Special Flood Hazard Areas, County Code § 30-62(b) sets the local freeboard standard: every new or substantially improved residential structure must have its lowest floor built at least one foot above the base flood elevation, with no basements permitted. Commercial and industrial buildings face the identical one-foot rule.
Florence County Base Flood Elevation Rule
Some RestrictionsFlorence County Code § 30-62(b)(1)-(2)
(1)Residential construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure (including manufactured homes) shall have the lowest floor elevated no lower than one foot above the base flood elevation. No basements are permitted. ... (2)Nonresidential construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any commercial, industrial, or nonresidential structure (in...
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