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

Section 14-88(b) gives the Stormwater Manager authority to require a land disturbance permit application, complete with a plan controlling stormwater and pollutants detailed in the county's Unified Code of Zoning and Land Development Regulations (ZLDR), for all applicable land disturbing activities. The manager can also require a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) for new and redevelopment projects and enforce it, approve or deny land disturbance plans, require performance bonds to secure compliance, and issue encroachment permits. The program exists to satisfy Kershaw County's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II Permit No.

SCR030000, issued under the federal Clean Water Act and the South Carolina Pollution Control Act (§§ 14-20, 14-21). Privately owned stormwater facilities must be inspected annually by qualified personnel at the owner's expense, with the report filed with the county, and the county can step in and bill the owner if maintenance isn't done (§ 14-101). Inspectors carrying county credentials have a right of entry to check compliance, sample discharges, and photograph or copy records under § 14-162, and delaying or refusing that access is itself a violation.

When land disturbance starts without a required permit, the Stormwater Manager can issue an automatic stop-work order and double the applicable bond and fee amount under § 14-188(d); equipment on site can be impounded until fees, bonds and penalties are paid.