Environmental Rules in Oconee County, SC (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Oconee County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Anyone subdividing land in unincorporated Oconee County must build perpetually maintained drainage systems that remove all stormwater runoff from the site under Sec. 32-216(a). The planning director won't approve a final plat that lacks adequate storm or floodwater channels or basins, and stormwater lines have to stay separate from sanitary sewers.
Oconee County Subdivision Stormwater Drainage Rules
Some RestrictionsOconee County Code § 32-216(a)
(a)General requirements. In most cases the land disturbance permit required by DHEC will have considered the information needed for compliance with this section. However, the county will review the information to ensure that all stormwater runoff will be removed from proposed developments in perpetually maintained drainage systems designed to avoid damage to personal property. The planning dire...
Erosion Control
Within 750 feet of Lake Keowee or Lake Jocassee's full pond contour, Oconee County's Lake Overlay District requires an entrenched silt fence before a zoning inspection can happen, with added measures like hay bales or seeding if silt still reaches the buffer, under Section 38-11.1(d)(1)a.5(v).
Erosion Control Near Oconee County Lakes
Some RestrictionsOconee County Code § 38-11.1(d)(1)a.5(v)
Silt fences: In order to ensure that the natural vegetative buffer is maintained during the development of property, properly installed, entrenched and maintained silt fences are required, before a zoning inspection will take place. The silt fences must begin at or above the vegetative buffer line. Wire backed silt fences are highly recommended and J-hooks, hay bales, grass mats and seeding sha...
Flood Zones
Before any construction, fill, or manufactured home placement begins in a mapped special flood hazard area of unincorporated Oconee County, the owner must get a development permit from the county floodplains manager under Sections 16-34 and 16-82 of the Flood Damage Prevention ordinance.
Oconee County Floodplain Development Permit
Significant RestrictionsOconee County Code §§ 16-34, 16-82
Prior to the commencement of any development activities in the special flood hazard areas, a development permit shall be required in accordance with the provisions of this article. ... Development permits shall be required for all development, including the placement of manufactured homes, so that the county may determine whether or not such construction or other development is proposed in the ...
Flood Elevation Requirements
In the special flood hazard areas of unincorporated Oconee County, new or substantially improved buildings must have their lowest floor elevated at least three feet above the base flood elevation, with no basements allowed, under Code Section 16-122(1) and (2).
Oconee County Base Flood Elevation Rule
Some RestrictionsOconee County Code § 16-122(1), (2)
(1)Residential construction. New construction or substantial improvement of any residential structure (including manufactured homes) shall have the lowest floor elevated no lower than three feet above the base flood elevation. No basements are permitted. ... (2)Nonresidential construction. New construction or substantial improvement of any commercial, industrial, or nonresidential structure (in...
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