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Horry County, SC Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Q: Do I need a stormwater permit to build a single-family home in Horry County?

Not if it's a standalone home outside a subdivision plan. Section 17.7-33(1) exempts a separately built single-family residence or its accessory buildings from the stormwater permitting requirement, though it still can't divert runoff onto a neighbor's property or skip basic erosion controls.

Q: How much does a Horry County stormwater permit cost?

Section 17.7-53 sets the fee at $125 plus $10 for every tenth of an acre of land disturbed, up to a maximum of $2,125 for larger sites, charged when the initial application is submitted to the stormwater department.

Q: Can I discharge pool water into the county's storm drains?

Only if it's unchlorinated, or you dechlorinate it first, or route it to sheet-flow across at least 25 feet of grass or the width of the drainage easement before it reaches the system, per § 17.7-30(c). Straight chlorinated discharge into the stormwater system is unlawful.

Q: What happens if I skip the stormwater permit and start grading anyway?

The stormwater department can issue a written notice of violation and, if it isn't corrected, a stop-work order within seven days under § 17.7-51, and the underlying violation is punished under the Code's general penalty, § 1-8, up to a $500 fine or 30 days in jail.

Significant Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Permit required for: Any land-disturbing activity in unincorporated Horry County
Section: Horry County Code § 17.7-28
Exempt: Single-family homes, <½-acre disturbance, routine maintenance (§17.7-33)
Permit fee: $125 + $10/0.1 acre, capped at $2,125 (§17.7-53)
Enforcing agency: Horry County Stormwater Department
Penalty: Up to $500 fine/30 days jail; stop-work order

Summary

Any land-disturbing activity in unincorporated Horry County needs a county stormwater permit before work starts. Code § 17.7-28 bars disturbing land without stormwater management measures, and § 17.7-30 makes it unlawful to discharge anything but clean stormwater into the county's drainage system, streets or rights-of-way.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Horry County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

(a)No person shall conduct any land-disturbing activities without having provided for appropriate stormwater management measures that control or manage runoff, in compliance with this article, unless exempted in section 17.7-30.(b)The provisions of this article shall apply throughout the unincorporated areas in Horry County, South Carolina.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 88).

Full Breakdown

any organic or inorganic matter that shall cause or tend to cause pollution or blockages," and swimming pool water may only reach the system if it is unchlorinated and sheet-flows across at least 25 feet of grass first, or is otherwise dechlorinated. 7-33: a single-family home built outside a subdivision, anything disturbing less than half an acre, and routine maintenance are exempt from the permitting requirement, though they still must not divert water onto a neighbor's land. 7-53. 7-88.

Violations & Fines

The stormwater department can issue a written notice of violation and a stop-work order within seven days of noncompliance, or immediately if downstream property faces significant damage, under § 17.7-51. Violating the article is punished under § 1-8's general penalty, up to a $500 fine or 30 days in jail, and the county attorney can separately seek an injunction or mandamus to force compliance under § 17.7-88.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a stormwater permit to build a single-family home in Horry County?

Not if it's a standalone home outside a subdivision plan. Section 17.7-33(1) exempts a separately built single-family residence or its accessory buildings from the stormwater permitting requirement, though it still can't divert runoff onto a neighbor's property or skip basic erosion controls.

How much does a Horry County stormwater permit cost?

Section 17.7-53 sets the fee at $125 plus $10 for every tenth of an acre of land disturbed, up to a maximum of $2,125 for larger sites, charged when the initial application is submitted to the stormwater department.

Can I discharge pool water into the county's storm drains?

Only if it's unchlorinated, or you dechlorinate it first, or route it to sheet-flow across at least 25 feet of grass or the width of the drainage easement before it reaches the system, per § 17.7-30(c). Straight chlorinated discharge into the stormwater system is unlawful.

What happens if I skip the stormwater permit and start grading anyway?

The stormwater department can issue a written notice of violation and, if it isn't corrected, a stop-work order within seven days under § 17.7-51, and the underlying violation is punished under the Code's general penalty, § 1-8, up to a $500 fine or 30 days in jail.

Sources & Official References

[1]Horry County Code of Ordinances, Ch. 17.7 (Municode)

Other rules in Horry County

Erosion ControlSignificant Restrictions Flood ZonesSignificant Restrictions Flood Elevation RequirementsSome Restrictions Boat Dock PermitsSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Preferential Parking DistrictsSome Restrictions Fence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningSome Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Exotic PetsHeavy Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Wildlife FeedingHeavy Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Bird ProtectionHeavy Restrictions

All Horry County rules

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