SCDES Switches to Mandatory ePermitting for Construction Stormwater

If you file construction stormwater permits in South Carolina, the rules just changed. Effective April 7, 2025, the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) requires all construction stormwater applications to be submitted through its ePermitting portal. Paper applications are done.

This is a significant shift for developers, contractors, and property managers across the Lowcountry. Whether you’re filing a Notice of Intent for a new subdivision in Bluffton or transferring ownership of a permitted site in Beaufort County, the process is now digital-only. Here’s what you need to know to stay compliant and avoid delays.

SCDHEC Is Now SCDES

First, a quick note on the name change. The agency formerly known as the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) has been reorganized. Environmental permitting functions, including construction stormwater, now fall under the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES).

If you’ve been in the industry for a while, you’ll still hear people say “DHEC.” That’s fine in conversation, but your paperwork needs to reference the correct agency. All new filings go through SCDES, and the ePermitting portal reflects this change. Our post on what the SCDHEC to SCDES transition changed covers the reorganization and the administrative cleanup it created.

The restructuring doesn’t alter the underlying regulations. Your NPDES permit obligations remain the same. What changed is how you submit your applications.

What the ePermitting Mandate Covers

The mandatory electronic filing requirement applies to every major construction stormwater transaction:

• Notices of Intent (NOIs) for new construction general permits
• Individual Lot NOIs for single-lot residential construction
• Transfers of Ownership when a permitted site changes hands
• Major Modifications to existing permits
• Notices of Termination (NOTs) when construction is complete and the site is stabilized

If it involves a construction stormwater permit, it goes through the portal. No exceptions.

The Transitional Period

SCDES built in a short transition window. From April 7 through May 5, 2025, the agency accepted both electronic and paper submissions. After May 5, paper applications are no longer processed. If you mail in a paper NOI after that date, it won’t be reviewed. It won’t be returned with a note asking you to resubmit online. It simply won’t be processed.

For anyone still holding paper forms, the transition period is over. Get set up on the portal now.

The Certifier Agreement Requirement

Here’s the part that catches people off guard. Before you can submit anything through ePermitting, each permittee must complete a mandatory Certifier Agreement. This is a one-time registration step that verifies your identity and grants you authority to file on behalf of your organization.

The Certifier Agreement is not optional. Without it, you can’t access the submission functions in the portal. If you’re a property manager who handles stormwater compliance for multiple properties, or a developer with several active projects, you’ll need to make sure your authorized signers have completed this step.

Plan ahead. The Certifier Agreement process takes time, and if you’re facing a filing deadline, you don’t want to discover at the last minute that you can’t submit.

For the full picture of how the system has settled since launch, including the local MS4 coordination problems and the payment workflow changes, see our SCDES digital permitting guide for property managers.

Filing Fees and Processing

The NPDES construction stormwater permit fee remains $125. That hasn’t changed with the move to electronic filing. Payment is handled through the portal.

Processing times may actually improve with the switch to ePermitting. Digital submissions eliminate the mail lag and manual data entry that slowed down paper applications. SCDES staff can review submissions faster when they arrive in a standardized electronic format.

That said, don’t expect instant turnaround. Review times still depend on the completeness of your application, the complexity of your project, and current agency workload. Submit complete applications with accurate information to minimize back-and-forth.

What This Means for Lowcountry Property Owners

For property owners and managers in Bluffton, Beaufort, Hilton Head, and the surrounding areas, this change has practical implications.

If you’re developing new property, your civil engineer or environmental consultant will handle most of the filing. But you need to confirm they’re set up on the ePermitting portal and have a current Certifier Agreement. Don’t assume. Ask.

If you’re buying a property with an active construction stormwater permit, the Transfer of Ownership must now go through ePermitting. This should be part of your closing checklist. A permit that isn’t properly transferred leaves the previous owner on the hook for compliance, and leaves you operating without coverage.

If you’re closing out a project, the Notice of Termination filing is how you end your permit obligations. Until you file the NOT and SCDES confirms the site meets stabilization requirements, you’re still responsible for erosion control, inspections, and reporting. File the NOT promptly through the portal once your site is stabilized.

HOAs and Property Management Companies

This matters for HOAs too. If your community was built under a construction general permit and the original developer never filed a proper Notice of Termination, that permit may still be active. Some HOAs inherit these open permits without realizing it. The ePermitting portal gives you a way to check the status and, if needed, file for termination or transfer.

How to Get Started with ePermitting

If you haven’t registered yet, here’s the process:

1. Visit the SCDES ePermitting portal. Create an account with your organization’s information.
2. Complete the Certifier Agreement. This links your account to your authority to file. Follow the instructions carefully; incomplete agreements will delay your access.
3. Gather your project information. Before starting a submission, have your site plans, stormwater management plan, SWPPP, and property details ready. Our SC Construction General Permit SWPPP requirements guide covers what has to be in that plan and who is licensed to prepare it.
4. Submit and track. The portal lets you track the status of your submissions, which is an improvement over the old paper system where you’d mail something and hope for the best.

If you run into trouble, SCDES has a dedicated helpline at 1-800-274-9965 and email support at permithelp@des.sc.gov. Use these resources. The agency expects a surge of questions during the first few months.

Staying Ahead of Regulatory Changes

This ePermitting switch is part of a broader trend toward digital regulatory compliance across South Carolina. Municipalities like Bluffton, Beaufort, and Charleston are increasingly moving their own permitting and inspection processes online. Property owners who get comfortable with electronic filing now will be better positioned as more local requirements go digital.

Keeping up with regulatory changes is part of responsible stormwater management. Whether it’s a new filing requirement, updated BMP inspection standards, or changes to your local MS4 permit, staying informed protects your property and your budget.

AUE Land Can Help

If you’re unsure about your construction stormwater permit status or need help with compliance after the ePermitting transition, we can walk you through it. AUE Land works with property owners across the Lowcountry on everything from storm drainage and grading to ongoing BMP maintenance. Request a site assessment and we’ll help you figure out where you stand.