Georgetown County, SC Stormwater Regulations

Georgetown County holds a Phase II Small MS4 NPDES permit and faces unique stormwater challenges from its position at the convergence of four major river systems. Hurricane and riverine flooding regularly tests stormwater infrastructure. SCDES enforces state penalties up to $10,000 per day, with county floodplain regulations adding another layer of compliance.

Primary source: South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES)

Permit Requirements

Georgetown County follows the state NPDES Construction General Permit requirement: projects disturbing one acre or more must obtain permit coverage from SCDES. A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) is required that details erosion and sediment controls for construction and permanent post-construction BMPs.

The county's extensive coastal zone, including Winyah Bay, the Waccamaw Neck area (Pawleys Island and Litchfield Beach), and tidal marshes, requires OCRM Critical Area Permits for development activity. Properties along the Waccamaw River, Pee Dee River, and their tributaries may also fall within regulated areas.

Georgetown County's floodplain regulations add another permitting layer. A large percentage of the county falls within FEMA-designated flood zones due to the four-river system. Development within these zones requires floodplain development permits and may trigger compensatory storage requirements.

Inspection Obligations

Active construction sites must be inspected weekly and within 24 hours of any rainfall of 0.5 inches or more. The NPDES permit requires documented inspections that record the condition of all erosion and sediment control measures.

Post-construction BMP inspections are required annually by the property owner or responsible party. Georgetown County may conduct its own inspections of permitted facilities, particularly after major storm events that could damage or compromise stormwater systems.

After hurricanes and major flooding events, the county conducts rapid assessments of stormwater infrastructure to identify damaged systems, blocked outfalls, and failed BMPs. Property owners are expected to inspect and repair their systems promptly after storm events.

Penalty Structure

State enforcement under the SC Pollution Control Act allows civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day per violation. SCDES investigates complaints, conducts inspections, and issues enforcement actions for unpermitted activity, erosion control failures, and illegal discharges.

Georgetown County enforces local stormwater and floodplain ordinances. Violations can result in notices of violation, stop-work orders, fines, and denial of future permits. The county may also require restoration of damaged natural resources, particularly in sensitive areas along rivers and coastal marshes.

OCRM violations within the coastal zone carry additional enforcement authority. Unauthorized fill, grading, or construction in critical areas can result in mandatory removal and restoration orders, plus separate fines under the Coastal Zone Management Act.

Key BMPs

Georgetown County's flood-prone terrain and high water table shape BMP design requirements:

• Wet detention ponds - Must be designed to withstand riverine flooding without structural failure. Outfall structures need backflow prevention to handle tidal and river backwater effects.
• Constructed wetlands - Natural treatment systems that complement the county's existing wetland environment. Provide good pollutant removal and work with the local hydrology.
• Bioretention with underdrains - Required in areas with high groundwater. Standard infiltration designs don't work in Georgetown's saturated soils.
• Riparian buffers - Critical along the four river systems and their tributaries. Natural vegetated buffers are the most effective protection for Georgetown's waterways.
• Elevated BMPs - In flood-prone areas, stormwater control structures must be designed to remain functional during flood events, with elevated control structures and flood-resistant embankments.

Local Ordinances

Georgetown County's stormwater management ordinance addresses both construction-phase and post-construction requirements. The ordinance works alongside the county's MS4 permit program and requires maintenance agreements for all permanent BMPs.

The county's floodplain management ordinance is particularly significant given the extent of flood-prone areas. Development in flood zones must comply with FEMA standards, including elevation requirements, flood-proofing for non-residential structures, and restrictions on fill in floodways. These requirements directly affect stormwater system design and placement.

Following the devastating floods of 2015, 2016 (Hurricane Matthew), 2018 (Hurricane Florence), and subsequent storms, Georgetown County has strengthened its approach to stormwater management and flood resilience. Development reviews now incorporate flood risk more prominently in stormwater system design.