Laurens County, SC Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

The Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Ordinance (Sec. 8-48 through 8-69, adopted by Ord. No. 895 on June 22, 2021) governs land disturbance in unincorporated Laurens County. No grading, construction or other land disturbance may begin until the Laurens County Building Codes Department issues a land disturbance permit under Sec. 8-55, and that permit cannot be issued unless an erosion and sedimentation control plan has been approved. Under Sec. 8-55(1), the approving authority requires a permit for any grading between one-quarter acre and one acre.

For sites disturbing an acre or more, or smaller sites that are part of a larger common plan of development, SCDHEC must first issue coverage under an NPDES stormwater construction permit before the county will act. Plans covering more than two acres must be certified by a registered professional engineer, professional soil erosion and sediment control specialist, or registered landscape architect and must receive SCDHEC approval before the county land disturbance permit is submitted. Smaller plans under two acres may be self-certified by the developer if runoff will not flow more than 100 feet without a velocity reduction, cuts and fills stay under five feet, and there is no concentrated off-site water to manage.

The Building Codes Department has 30 days to approve or disapprove an application, and a disapproved plan can be corrected and resubmitted within 30 days. Farms, forestry activity, single-family homes disturbing under a quarter acre, and utility work are exempt under Sec. 8-56. The Planning Commission hears variance requests and appeals under Secs. 8-59 and 8-60.