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

5-21 sets the core rule: unless otherwise provided in the chapter, the surface of land in the county cannot be disturbed or changed for any purpose except in accordance with an erosion and sedimentation control plan approved by the soil and water conservation district and the county planning commission, and a grading permit issued by the county building official to the applicant or contractor. 5-22 carves out exemptions for agricultural land management and farm buildings, single-family residences and their accessory buildings outside an approved subdivision plan, subdivisions recorded before October 22, 1974, federal and state land, incorporated municipalities, permanent commercial mining, and land-disturbing activity of five acres or more already regulated by the South Carolina Land Resources Conservation Commission under the state Stormwater Management and Sediment Reduction Act.

5-23, and both the applicant and the soil and water conservation district must sign certification statements confirming the work will follow the approved plan. 5-67 lets the official order conformance or suspend other work on a noncompliant site.