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

Sumter County Council enacted the current erosion and sediment control article by Ord. No. 15-830 on March 24, 2015, replacing several older versions dating to 1998. Section 14-19 states its purpose is to protect the county's lands and waters from excessive soil erosion and sedimentation, prevent siltation of streams and lakes, stop clogging of drainage channels, reduce flood damage and protect adjacent landowners. Section 14-21 applies the article to all lands within the unincorporated areas. Most construction triggers the permit and plan requirements of §§ 14-25 and 14-30, but § 14-26 carves out several exemptions: agricultural land used for crops, livestock or aquaculture (unless a building over one acre needs a building permit), forestland harvested for timber, activities already regulated under the state Mining Act, and, most relevant to homeowners, the construction or improvement of a separately built single-family residence or accessory building that disturbs less than one acre and is not part of a subdivision.

Existing disturbed sites causing off-site sediment damage must still add ground cover or other controls once the county issues a certified notice to comply under § 14-29. Sumter County's implementing agency reviews applications, and SCDHEC shares enforcement authority for state permit conditions. Violations bring the stop-work and penalty provisions of §§ 14-75 and 14-76: the county can order work stopped for a knowing and willful violation causing off-site sedimentation, and any person violating an approved plan or operating without one is subject to a civil penalty, collected by written demand and, if unpaid within 30 days, by circuit court action.