South Carolina has no statewide grading permit. In unincorporated York County, earthwork disturbing one acre or more needs the state stormwater permit, while smaller grading is controlled by county drainage review and the rule against diverting runoff onto neighbors.
Grading and drainage in unincorporated York County are handled through two channels rather than a single grading permit. Any earthwork disturbing one acre or more, or part of a larger common plan, must obtain state stormwater permit coverage and control runoff under the Sediment Reduction Act. Smaller sites that are not part of a common plan need no state permit, but the county's stormwater and subdivision review still requires that new lots drain without pushing concentrated runoff onto adjoining tracts. South Carolina follows the reasonable-use rule for surface water, so a property owner who regrades and channels stormwater onto a neighbor's land is liable for the resulting damage.
Grading a one-acre site without state permit coverage draws SCDES penalties and stop-work orders. Diverting concentrated stormwater onto a neighbor creates civil liability for drainage damage regardless of acreage.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
York County, SC
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York County, SC
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York County, SC
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