Environmental Rules in York County, SC (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in York County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Before disturbing land anywhere in unincorporated York County, South Carolina, state law requires an approved stormwater management and sediment control plan and permit first. S.C. Code § 48-14-30 bars grading, clearing or construction without one, and York County, DHEC's delegated implementing agency, enforces it locally through the County Stormwater Administrator under its own Chapter 152 stormwater program.
York County Stormwater Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsS.C. Code Ann. § 48-14-30(A)-(C)
(A) Unless exempted, no person may engage in a land disturbing activity without first submitting a stormwater management and sediment control plan to the appropriate implementing agency and obtaining a permit to proceed. (B) Each person responsible for the land disturbing activity shall certify, on the stormwater management and sediment control plan submitted, that all land disturbing activitie...
Erosion Control
Unincorporated York County requires a land disturbance permit before any clearing, grading or excavating, and every construction stormwater pollution prevention plan (C-SWPPP) must include specific sediment control practices under County Code Chapter 152. Disturbing more than 20 acres at once triggers extra phasing and control requirements, and BMPs near Lake Wylie or the Catawba River must hit tougher sediment-removal standards.
York County Erosion & Sediment Control Rules
Some RestrictionsYork County, S.C. Code of Ordinances § 152.021
(D) Only the smallest practical area shall be exposed and then only for the shortest practical period of time. Effort should be made not to disturb more than 20 acres at any one time. ... (F) For land disturbances of one acre and greater, all sediment control BMPs shall be designed and installed to meet a minimum sediment removal efficiency of 80% for total suspended solids (TSS) or greater or ...
Flood Zones
York County administers its own Flood Damage Prevention ordinance, Chapter 151, to keep the county in the National Flood Insurance Program. A floodplain development permit is required before any development in a mapped area of special flood hazard.
York County Flood Zone Regulations
Heavy RestrictionsYork County, S.C. Code of Ordinances § 151.23
Application for a development permit shall be made to the local administrator on forms furnished by him or her prior to any development activities.
Flood Elevation Requirements
In York County's mapped special flood hazard areas, new and substantially improved residential and non-residential structures must have their lowest floor built at least two feet above the base flood elevation, with no basements allowed below BFE. Manufactured homes carry the same two-foot freeboard standard.
York County Base Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsYork County, S.C. Code of Ordinances § 151.36(A)-(B)
(A) Residential construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure (including manufactured homes) shall have the lowest floor, and the associated electrical, ventilation, and plumbing connections, heating and air conditioning equipment (including ductwork), and other service facilities, elevated no lower than two (2.0) feet above the base flood elevation. No...
Environmental Rules by City in York County
1 cities in York County have their own environmental rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All York County ordinances
See every category we cover for York County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
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