Environmental Rules in Sumter County, SC (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Sumter County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Unincorporated Sumter County requires a stormwater permit before any land disturbing activity and funds county-wide drainage upkeep through a stormwater utility fee. Sumter County Code § 14-25 bars altering the land surface except under an approved plan, while § 14-97 sets the base rate at $30 per Equivalent Dwelling Unit, billing residential parcels $15 a year. Commercial, industrial and most agricultural properties pay more.
Sumter County Stormwater Management Rules
Some RestrictionsSumter County Code §§ 14-25, 14-97
Unless otherwise provided within this article, the surface of land in the unincorporated areas of the county shall not be disturbed or altered for any purpose whatsoever, except in accordance with this article. ... The basis of the service charge rate is one EDU as defined in this article. The stormwater service charge for one EDU is $30.00 per year. ... (1)Residential properties, ... as define...
Erosion Control
Any land disturbing activity in unincorporated Sumter County must follow the erosion and sediment control standards of Sumter County Code § 14-19 et seq., adopted to stop excessive soil erosion, sedimentation and drainage clogging. Section 14-26 exempts small single-family construction under one acre and farming or forestry work, but everyone else needs an approved plan before breaking ground, backed by civil penalties for noncompliance.
Sumter County Erosion & Sediment Control
Some RestrictionsSumter County Code §§ 14-19, 14-26(b)(4), 14-76(a)
In order to protect the general health, safety and welfare of the people of Sumter County, South Carolina and to protect the natural assets and resources of the county for posterity, this article is enacted to protect the county's lands and waters from the effects of excessive soil erosion and sedimentation, to prevent siltation of streams and lakes, to prevent clogging of drainage channels, to...
Flood Zones
Unincorporated Sumter County requires a development permit before any work begins in an area of special flood hazard, under Code Chapter 18. The chapter covers every FEMA-mapped flood hazard area in the county's Flood Insurance Study dated October 27, 2022, and violations are a misdemeanor.
Sumter County Floodplain Development Permit
Significant RestrictionsSumter County Code §§ 18-4, 18-5
This chapter shall apply to all areas of special flood hazard within the jurisdiction of Sumter County, South Carolina as identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in its Flood Insurance Study, dated October 27, 2022, with accompanying maps and other supporting data, which are hereby adopted and declared to be part of this chapter. ... A development permit shall be required in confo...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Commercial, industrial and other nonresidential buildings in Sumter County's mapped flood hazard areas must have their lowest floor two feet above base flood elevation, same as homes, under Section 18-72(2). The county offers a floodproofing alternative certified by an engineer or architect instead of elevating the structure.
Sumter County Nonresidential Flood Elevation
Significant RestrictionsSumter County Code § 18-72(2)
(2)Nonresidential construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any commercial, industrial, or nonresidential structure (including manufactured homes) shall have the lowest floor elevated no lower than two feet above the level of the base flood elevation. Should solid foundation perimeter walls be used to elevate a structure, openings sufficient to facilitate the unimpeded movem...
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