Beaufort County, SC Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- TSS reduction required
- At least 80%, Sec. 99-202(b)(18)
- Total nitrogen reduction
- At least 30%, Sec. 99-202(b)(18)
- Bacteria load reduction
- At least 60%, Sec. 99-202(b)(18)
- Applies to
- All development/redevelopment, unincorporated county
- Administering agencies
- Public Works & Stormwater Departments, Sec. 99-206
- Appeal deadline
- 30 days of decision, Sec. 99-213(a)
- Max penalty
- $1,000 fine or 30 days, Sec. 99-504(b)
Summary
Beaufort County requires new development and redevelopment in the unincorporated county to meet numeric stormwater quality targets: at least an 80 percent reduction in total suspended solids, 30 percent reduction in total nitrogen, and 60 percent reduction in bacteria load, on top of volume control, under its stormwater management ordinance.
The stormwater management practices of approved plans shall provide volume control and at least an 80 percent reduction in total suspended solids loads, 30 percent reduction of total nitrogen load, and 60 percent reduction in bacteria load.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 55 Update 1 | Community Development Code: Supplement 16).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 99-200 grounds the article in the county's authority under the South Carolina Constitution, the state legislature, and the federal Clean Water Act. Sec. 99-201 finds that uncontrolled stormwater runoff threatens the county's Outstanding Resource Waters, shellfish harvesting areas, and public health, safety, and welfare, and that development alters watershed hydrology and increases runoff, flooding, and pollutant transport. Sec. " Sec. 99-202(b)(13) ties design criteria to the most current Southern Lowcountry Stormwater Design Manual, and Sec. 99-204 makes the article applicable to all development and redevelopment and any illicit discharges throughout the unincorporated county.
The public works department and a separate stormwater department administer the program under Sec. 99-206, maintaining the design manual's construction-application, closeout, and inspection requirements, while Sec. 99-207 gives administrators power to review, approve, condition, or disapprove stormwater management plans and set application fees. Appeals of an administrator's decision go to the stormwater management utility board under Sec. 99-213, which must be filed within 30 days of the decision or notice of violation.
Violations & Fines
Sec. 99-504 places enforcement jurisdiction with both the Beaufort County Public Works Department and Beaufort County Codes Enforcement, with officers holding full discretion to issue a notice of violation, a stop-work order, or a fine. A conviction for violating the article or an approved stormwater permit is a misdemeanor carrying a penalty not to exceed $1,000.00 or 30 days imprisonment for each violation, with each continuing day treated as a separate violation, and the county attorney may separately pursue civil abatement costs against the responsible party under Sec. 99-503(c)-(d).
Frequently Asked Questions
What water-quality standard must new development in Beaufort County meet?
Which projects does the stormwater ordinance cover?
Who reviews and approves a stormwater management plan?
What happens if a site violates its stormwater permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Beaufort County
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