Information Session about Proposed Changes to Coastal Dock Regulations SCDES is hosting an information session from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday Oct. 13, 2026, at City of North Charleston City Hall, 2500 City Hall Lane, North Charleston, S.C., about proposed amendments to Coastal Dock Regulations R.30-1.D(50) and R.30-12.A(2) and R.30-2.H. This session will begin with a presentation about the proposed changes, include an overview of the public comments previously received, and reserve time for a question-and-answer session. While staff will be available for discussion during the information session, public comments for the official record can only be received during the upcoming Oct. 27 public hearing. |
In the agency's efforts to update and modernize regulations, SCDES reviewed current dock regulations and identified potential opportunities for regulatory changes. As South Carolina's population grows, the state’s coastal communities have seen a significant increase in private docks. This high volume of docks has contributed to challenges with navigation, shoreline access and impacts to the Tidelands and Coastal Water critical areas.
In early 2025, SCDES convened the South Carolina Dock Stakeholder Workgroup to provide input on existing regulatory standards related to private recreational use docks in the Tidelands and Coastal Water critical areas. The Workgroup provided its recommendations and key findings in its final report released in February 2026.
Based in part on stakeholder input, SCDES has proposed amendments to R.30-1.D(50), R.30-12.A(2) and R.30-2.H. The proposed changes are available online: Notice of Proposed Regulations
Key takeaways include that the proposed changes:
- are only effective within the Tidelands and Coastal Waters critical areas of the coastal zone (which is within the state’s eight coastal counties)
- continue to allow docks damaged during a storm event to be reconstructed or repaired to their previously permitted or grandfathered size, configuration and location
- continue to allow property owners to keep and maintain existing, previously permitted or grandfathered structures
- continue to permit new dock construction
- community or commercial dock structures or marinas are not impacted
- streamline and clarify the submission process for 401 Water Quality Certification
Public Comment Opportunities
SCDES develops regulatory changes in accordance with the South Carolina Administrative Procedures Act, S.C. Code Ann. Section 1-23-10 et seq. This process provides an opportunity for public comment during the Notice of Drafting and the Notice of Proposed Regulation phases.
The agency’s Notice of Drafting associated with the proposed amendments was published in the April 24, 2026, SC State Register and included a 30-day public comment period that closed on May 26, 2026.
A Notice of Proposed Regulation was published in the Aug. 28, 2026, SC State Register and included a 30-day public comment period that closed on Sept. 28, 2026.
SCDES received more than 250 comments during the public comment period. The agency also received the required amount of requests to hold a formal public hearing, which has been scheduled for Oct. 27, 2026.
Official Public Hearing: Oct. 27, 2026
Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. Section 1-23-110 of the Administrative Procedures Act, a public hearing will be held about the proposed regulation amendments. This is a new process for proposed regulatory changes.
During this public hearing, SCDES will present the proposed regulation changes and interested parties will have the opportunity to submit both oral and written statements regarding the changes.
The public hearing will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, at the Administrative Law Court, 1205 Pendleton Street, Edgar Brown Building, Second Floor, Suite 224, Columbia, S.C.