Environmental Rules in Greenwood County, SC (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Greenwood County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Unincorporated Greenwood County requires a county grading permit before disturbing land under Sec. 6-5-24, with a nonrefundable fee scaled from $20.00 for up to three acres to $60.00 for more than 100 acres, and a right to appeal a denial to the circuit court.
Greenwood County Grading Permit and Stormwater Rules
Significant RestrictionsGreenwood County Code §§ 6-5-24, 6-5-27
Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, the surface of land in the county shall not be disturbed or altered for any purpose whatsoever, except in accordance with a stormwater management and sediment control plan approved by the approving authority. After the plan is approved, a county grading permit will be issued by the county to the applicant. ... The applica ... tion for a grading permit ...
Erosion Control
Unincorporated Greenwood County regulates erosion and sedimentation from construction under its Stormwater Management and Sediment Control Ordinance, Title 6, Chapter 5, which exempts most single-family lot work but requires an approved control plan and grading permit for larger land-disturbing activity, enforced by the Greenwood Soil and Water Conservation District.
Greenwood County Erosion and Sediment Control Rules
Significant RestrictionsGreenwood County Code §§ 6-5-5(2), 6-5-23
(2)Construction or land improvement for single-family residences, accessory buildings or structures. A single-family residence property owner may subdivide or make land improvements, provided no new street is involved, on his single lot without an approved stormwater management and sediment control plan and without obtaining a grading permit. The initial development of residential subdivisions ...
Flood Zones
In unincorporated Greenwood County, the county engineer requires a development permit before any construction, fill, or grading begins in a FEMA-mapped special flood hazard area. New or substantially improved homes must sit at least one foot above the base flood elevation, and floodways bar encroachments that would raise flood levels. Violating the floodplain chapter is a misdemeanor punishable by a $200 fine, 30 days in jail, or both.
Greenwood County Flood Hazard Building Rules
Some RestrictionsGreenwood County Code §§ 6-6-6, 6-6-8, 6-6-32, 6-6-13
This chapter shall apply to all areas of special flood hazard within the jurisdiction of the county, excluding therefrom any areas within any incorporated municipality in the county. ... A development permit shall be required in conformance with the provisions of this chapter prior to the commencement of any development activities. ... New construction or substantial improvement of any resident...
Boat Dock Permits
In unincorporated Greenwood County, a boat house, boat dock or boat lift is an accessory use that must sit at least ten feet from the side property line. Structures built along Lake Greenwood also need the county engineer to approve the construction drawings before work begins, protecting the shoreline and neighboring waterfront lots.
Greenwood County Lake Boat Dock Rules
Some RestrictionsGreenwood County Code § 6-3-49(f)(3)
Boat house, boat dock, or boat lift, provided that the structure is no closer than ten feet from the side property lines. The county engineer must approve construction drawings for these structures if located along Lake Greenwood.
Flood Elevation Requirements
In unincorporated Greenwood County's special flood hazard areas, Sec. 6-6-32 requires new or substantially improved residential and nonresidential structures to elevate the lowest floor at least one foot above the base flood elevation, with floodproofing allowed for nonresidential buildings in lieu of elevation.
Greenwood County One-Foot Flood Elevation Freeboard
Some RestrictionsGreenwood County Code § 6-6-32(1), (2)
(1)Residential construction. New construction or substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated no lower than one foot above the base flood elevation. Should solid foundation perimeter walls be used to elevate a structure, openings sufficient to facilitate the unimpeded movements of floodwaters shall be provided.(2)Nonresidential c...
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