Lexington County, SC Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Before any land-disturbing activity begins
- Enforcing agency
- Public Works Stormwater Division
- Exemption
- Agricultural disturbance under 1 acre
- Standards source
- County Land Development Manual
- Governing section
- Stormwater Ordinance Sec. 3-4
Summary
Lexington County requires an approved Land Disturbance Permit before grading, clearing, or any land-disturbing construction, administered by the Public Works Stormwater Division under the county's Stormwater Management Ordinance and Land Development Manual.
All land disturbing activities, as outlined in the Land Development Manual, shall require the submittal and approval of a Land Disturbance Permit Application. The application process and requirements shall be detailed in the Land Development Manual. It shall be the responsibility of the applicant (property owner, lessee or person responsible for land disturbing activities) to provide a complete Land Disturbance Permit Application Package that meets all the requirements of this Ordinance, the Land Development Manual, and other Federal and State regulations.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 20).
Full Breakdown
Before starting grading, clearing, or other land-disturbing work, developers must submit and get approval of a Land Disturbance Permit Application through Lexington County's Public Works Stormwater Division, per Sec. 3-4 of the county's Stormwater Management Ordinance (Code § 66-311). The application must include a stormwater and pollutant-control plan meeting Land Development Manual design standards, and the county can require performance bonds to secure compliance. Agricultural disturbances under one acre and forestry activity following state best-management practices are exempt. Projects cannot get occupancy approval, bond release, or plat recording until Public Works completes a final project-closure inspection of the stormwater system.
Violations & Fines
Disturbing land without an approved Land Disturbance Permit violates the Stormwater Management Ordinance; Public Works can withhold occupancy sign-off, bond release, and plat recording until the site comes into compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Lexington County require a permit before grading my property?
Are small projects exempt from the land disturbance permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lexington County
Compare Lexington County to another location·View the South Carolina environmental rules overview
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