Glynn County, GA Stormwater Regulations

Glynn County operates under a Phase II Small MS4 NPDES permit from GA EPD. The county includes Brunswick, St. Simons Island, and Jekyll Island, each with distinct stormwater challenges. Barrier island development faces Shore Protection Act requirements. GA EPD penalties reach $50,000 per day, with local enforcement through the joint planning commission.

Primary source: Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) Watershed Protection Branch

Permit Requirements

Glynn County requires a Land Disturbance Permit for construction projects disturbing one acre or more. This aligns with GA EPD's NPDES General Permit (GAR100002) requirement. GSWCC-certified personnel must be present on site during active construction, and Level IB Certified Inspectors must perform the required inspections.

The Brunswick-Glynn County Joint Planning Commission reviews development plans, including stormwater management components. Post-construction BMP designs must follow the Georgia Stormwater Management Manual, with modifications for coastal conditions specific to Glynn County.

Barrier island development on St. Simons and Jekyll Island requires compliance with the GA DNR Shore Protection Act. The Shore Protection Area extends from the shoreline landward to a mapped line, and development within this zone needs a Shore Protection Act permit. Jekyll Island is managed by the Jekyll Island Authority, which has its own development approval process that includes stormwater review.

Inspection Obligations

Construction sites must be inspected every seven days and within 24 hours of any rainfall event producing 0.5 inches or more. GSWCC Level IB Certified Inspectors conduct these inspections and document findings on GA EPD-approved forms.

Glynn County's MS4 program includes post-construction BMP tracking and compliance verification. The joint planning commission maintains records of permitted stormwater facilities and can inspect them for compliance with maintenance agreements. St. Simons Island properties, particularly golf course communities and resort developments, maintain numerous stormwater ponds and detention systems that require ongoing inspection.

The county's IDDE program monitors storm sewer outfalls for non-stormwater discharges. Brunswick's industrial waterfront along the East River and St. Simons Sound receives particular attention for illicit discharge detection.

Penalty Structure

GA EPD enforces state-level violations with penalties up to $50,000 per day under the Georgia Water Quality Control Act. Violations affecting coastal waters, St. Simons Sound, or tidal marshes may receive heightened enforcement.

Glynn County enforces its local soil erosion and stormwater ordinance through the joint planning commission. Enforcement tools include notices of violation, stop-work orders, fines, and permit revocation. The county can withhold certificates of occupancy for projects with unresolved violations.

GA DNR's Coastal Resources Division handles violations of the Marshlands Protection Act and Shore Protection Act. Unauthorized work in tidal marshes or the Shore Protection Area can result in mandatory restoration orders, removal of unauthorized structures, and substantial fines.

Key BMPs

• Wet detention ponds - Common throughout Glynn County's residential developments and golf course communities. Must be designed for tidal influence at outfall structures.
• Bioretention systems - Used in commercial and higher-density developments in Brunswick and on St. Simons Island. Require underdrains due to high water table conditions.
• Constructed wetlands - Effective for larger developments and public facilities. Complement Glynn County's natural marsh environment.
• Dune and shoreline BMPs - Specific to barrier island properties. Include dune restoration, beach-compatible drainage, and storm surge-resistant designs.
• Permeable pavement - Applied in parking areas, particularly for resort and commercial properties on St. Simons Island where reducing impervious cover is a priority.

Local Ordinances

Glynn County's stormwater and soil erosion ordinance implements Georgia's Erosion and Sedimentation Act and supports the county's MS4 permit program. The Brunswick-Glynn County Joint Planning Commission administers development reviews, including stormwater management plan approval and construction inspections.

The City of Brunswick has its own development standards that apply within the city limits. Brunswick's historic downtown and waterfront areas face unique stormwater challenges from aging infrastructure, high groundwater, and tidal flooding.

Jekyll Island operates under the Jekyll Island-State Park Authority, which controls all development on the island. The Authority's development standards include stormwater management requirements, impervious surface limits, and environmental protection measures that affect construction permitting. The island's 65/35 rule (65% of land must remain undeveloped) limits development intensity and influences stormwater management approaches.