Environmental Rules in Franklin County, NC (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Franklin County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
No one may get a land-development, land-disturbing or building permit in unincorporated Franklin County without first meeting the stormwater ordinance and obtaining a stormwater permit, unless the project is specifically excluded.
Franklin County Stormwater Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsFranklin County Unified Development Code § 9.3.5
A.Permit Required No person shall receive any permit for land development, land disturbing activity or building permit without first meeting the requirements of this part and receiving a stormwater permit prior to commencing the proposed activity unless specifically excluded from the requirements of this ordinance.
Erosion Control
In unincorporated Franklin County, no one may start land-disturbing work of one acre or more without an erosion and sedimentation control plan approved by NC DEQ. Smaller sites are not exempt from local duties: the Unified Development Code still requires silt fencing on the low side of every disturbed lot.
Franklin County NC Erosion Control Rules
Some RestrictionsFranklin County Unified Development Code § 9.3.4(E)(8)
d.No person may initiate any land-disturbing activity that will disturb one acre (43,560 sf) or greater without having an erosion and sedimentation control plan approved by NC DEQ. North Carolina General Permit NCG010000 applies to land disturbing activities and requires an approved erosion and sedimentation control plan for disturbances that equal or exceed one acre OR those that are part of a...
Flood Zones
In unincorporated Franklin County, no development activity can begin in a Special Flood Hazard Area without a Floodplain Development Permit from the Floodplain Administrator. Violating the flood ordinance is a Class 1 misdemeanor with fines up to $100 per day.
Franklin County Floodplain Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsFranklin County Unified Development Code § 9.2.3
C.Establishment of a Floodplain Development Permit A Floodplain Development Permit shall be required in conformance with the provisions of this Ordinance prior to the commencement of any development activities within Special Flood Hazard Areas determined in accordance with the provisions of this Article. ... H.Penalties for Violation Violation of the provisions of this ordinance or failure to c...
Flood Elevation Requirements
For lots in Franklin County's AO-zone shallow flooding areas, the Unified Development Code requires new construction and substantial improvements to raise the reference level to the FIRM's mapped flood depth number plus 4 feet of freeboard above the highest adjacent grade, or at least 2 feet above grade if the FIRM lists no depth number, under UDC § 9.2.5(F).
Franklin County Sets Shallow-Flood Elevation Rule
Some RestrictionsFranklin County Unified Development Code § 9.2.5(F)
F.Standards for Areas of Shallow Flooding (AO Zones) Located within the Special Flood Hazard Areas established in this Section are areas designated as shallow flooding areas. These areas have special flood hazards associated with base flood depths of one (1) to three (3) feet where a clearly defined channel does not exist and where the path of flooding is unpredictable and indeterminate. All ne...
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