Non-Coastal Counties
For construction activities that disturb less than 1 acre, South Carolina requires that a Notification Form for Sites Disturbing Less Than 1 Acre (DHEC Form 2628) be submitted for review. Once it is determined that NPDES coverage is not required, a letter of exemption will be issued to the applicant stating that no further coverage is necessary and that the proposed land disturbance may begin.
Construction Activities that are part of a Larger Common Plan (LCP) for development or sale, regardless of the amount of disturbance, are required to submit the standard application for Stormwater NPDES Coverage, Notice of Intent (DHEC Form 2617).
If the less than one (1) acre project is to be constructed inside an MS4 or Urbanized Area, you must first contact the respective MS4 or UA to identify applicable project requirements and receive approval if the MS4 deems such approval appropriate.
Less than 1-Acre Notification Requirements
Construction Activities
Information and Requirements on land-disturbing activities for construction activities.
Between 1-2 Acres
Information and Requirements on land-disturbing activities that disturb 1.0 to 2.0 Acres of land.
Greater Than 2 Acres
Information and Requirements on land disturbing activities that disturb more than 2.0 Acres of land.
Coastal Counties
If your construction project is located in the Coastal Zone and is not draining within ½ mile of a coastal receiving water OR meets the criteria for automatic permit coverage, submit notification via a Notification - Less than 1-Acre, Not within 0.5 Miles of a Coastal Receiving Water AND Automatic Permit Coverage (SCDES Form 0451) form as detailed below.
Automatic permit coverage under the NPDES Construction General Permit (CGP) applies to sites that comprise less than 1 acre of land disturbance, are not part of a larger common plan, and drain within ½ mile of a coastal receiving water unless DHEC specifically requests a NOI and SWPPP for review and approval. Below are links to the requirements for each circumstance.
Less than 1-Acre Notification Requirements
Not within 1/2 mile of Coastal Receiving Waters
Notification Requirements - Automatic Permit Coverage
Less than 1 Acre within 1/2 mile of Coastal Receiving Waters
Contact SCDES's Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (SCDES-OCRM) for Coastal Zone Consistency submittal requirements on sites qualifying for automatic permit coverage.
Upon determining that NPDES coverage is not required, SCDES will issue a letter of exemption to the applicant stating that no further coverage is necessary and that the proposed land disturbance may begin. When it is determined a site is automatically covered under the CGP, a letter of notification will be issued to the applicant stating that proposed land disturbance activities may begin upon receipt of any necessary authorizations from SCDES-OCRM.
If your project is located within an MS4 Urbanized Area (UA), you must first contact the MS4 or UA to identify applicable project requirements and receive approval if the MS4 deems such approval appropriate.
When a construction site is part of a Larger Common Plan of Development or Sale (LCP), the standard application for NPDES Construction permit coverage, Notice of Intent (SCDES Form 2617) may be required to perform work, regardless of the amount of disturbance.