Environmental Rules in Guilford County, NC (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Guilford County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Unincorporated Guilford County caps built-upon area at 50% to 70% in water supply watersheds, with the Lower Randleman Lake Watershed held to the strictest 50% limit. Development is reviewed against the county's Stormwater Map under UDO Sec. 9.1, with stormwater control measures required above the low-density thresholds.
Watershed Stormwater Limits in Guilford County
Significant RestrictionsGuilford County UDO Sec. 9.1.F.2.f(1)
Development in all WS-IV watersheds, except the Lower Randleman Lake, shall not exceed seventy percent (70%) maximum built-upon area. Development in the Lower Randleman Lake Watershed shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) maximum built-upon area.
Erosion Control
Any land-disturbing activity over one acre in unincorporated Guilford County, including its extraterritorial reach into Jamestown, Stokesdale, Summerfield and Oak Ridge, needs an approved erosion and sedimentation control plan filed at least 30 days ahead. Slopes must get permanent ground cover within 15 working days of grading, and the Enforcement Officer can fine violators up to $5,000 per day.
Erosion and Sediment Control in Guilford County
Some RestrictionsGuilford County UDO Subsec. 9.2.A.1
1. Plan Required. No person shall undertake any land-disturbing activity subject to this Ordinance without first obtaining a Plan approval therefor from Guilford County, if the land-disturbing activity: a. Exceeds one (1) acre. b. Will take place on highly erodible soils with a "k" factor greater than .36 in a watershed critical area. c. Includes a permanent runoff control structure in a waters...
Flood Zones
No structure or land in a Special Flood Hazard Area of unincorporated Guilford County may be developed without a Floodplain Development Permit. New and substantially improved residential structures must be elevated to 2 feet above the Base Flood Elevation, and violations are a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Floodplain Development Permits in Guilford County
Significant RestrictionsGuilford County UDO Sec. 9.3.F, 9.3.K
A Floodplain Development Permit (See Subsec. 9.3.L) shall be required in conformance with the provisions of Subsec. 9.3 Flood Damage Prevention prior to the commencement of any development activities within Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) determined in accordance with Subsec. 9.3.D.2 Basis for Establishing the SFHA. ... Violation of the provisions of this Subsection or failure to comply with ...
Boat Dock Permits
Building a boat dock, ramp, or pier in unincorporated Guilford County requires a Floodplain Development Permit whenever the structure sits within a Special Flood Hazard Area. The Floodplain Administrator reviews the application before any work starts.
Boat Dock Permits in Guilford County
Some RestrictionsGuilford County UDO Subsec. 9.3.F.1; Subsec. 9.3.S.1.d(8)
A Floodplain Development Permit (See Subsec. 9.3.L) shall be required in conformance with the provisions of Subsec. 9.3 Flood Damage Prevention prior to the commencement of any development activities within Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) determined in accordance with Subsec. 9.3.D.2 Basis for Establishing the SFHA. ... Permitted Uses: The following uses shall be permitted within the floodway...
Flood Elevation Requirements
In Guilford County's mapped Special Flood Hazard Areas, new residential construction and substantial improvements, including manufactured homes, must have their reference level elevated no lower than the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation: the Base Flood Elevation plus two feet of freeboard set by the county's Flood Damage Prevention ordinance.
Flood Elevation and Freeboard Rules in Guilford County
Some RestrictionsGuilford County UDO Subsec. 9.3.P.2.a
a. Residential Construction: New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure (including manufactured homes) shall have the reference level, including basement, elevated no lower than the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation (RFPE), as defined in Subsec. 12 - Definitions of this Ordinance.
Environmental Rules by City in Guilford County
2 cities in Guilford County have their own environmental rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Guilford County ordinances
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