Plan before Notice of Intent
The Comprehensive SWPPP (C-SWPPP) must be prepared prior to submission of an NOI.
The Comprehensive SWPPP (C-SWPPP) must be prepared prior to submission of an NOI as required in Section 2 of this permit.
South Carolina
SWPPP requirements in South Carolina
South Carolina issues its own construction general permit. We have read NPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges From Construction Activities, Permit Number SCR100000 (2026 Construction General Permit) and list below the requirements we could cite to it, with the scope limits stated plainly. Screen your own acreage further down.
Who may prepare the plan
Conditional, depends on the siteSouth Carolina requires a credentialed preparer for a site like this one. The gate applies above 2 acres. This site is 3 acres. Treat the generated document as a draft for that person to sign.
Qualifying routes
- SC-licensed Professional Engineer (Title 40, Chapter 22)
- SC-registered Landscape Architect (Title 40, Chapter 28, Section 10, item (b))
- SC Tier B Land Surveyor (Title 40, Chapter 22)
- Federal government employee as described in Title 40, Chapter 22, Section 280(A)(3)
Gate is acreage-tiered, not flat. Sites disturbing 2 acres or less, not part of a larger common plan of development, have no named-credential requirement to prepare the C-SWPPP (a Coastal Zone carve-out at Section 3.1.2.D pulls some sub-2-acre sites near a coastal receiving water into the same gated requirement). Above 2 acres, the C-SWPPP must be prepared, certified and stamped by one of the four routes above — no CPESC/CEPSCI route exists for this design/stamp role, correcting and confirming this dataset's prior 'CPESC not accepted as signer' finding. A narrower, genuinely mandatory PE-seal requirement applies only where the site is both subject to Regulation 72-400 and disturbs 5+ acres; exactly what triggers 72-400 applicability was not independently confirmed (it appears tied to permanent stormwater/dam-safety-linked structures). Routine inspections are a separate obligation from SWPPP preparation: Section 4.2.E allows the C-SWPPP preparer, someone with equivalent registration, someone they directly supervise, or a person certified through an SCDES-approved Construction Site Inspector Certification Course (Clemson's CEPSCI is the recognized course) — stateCourseRequired is false because that course is one of several qualifying options for inspection, not a mandatory single path, and does not confer SWPPP-preparation authority.
Verified2026 SC NPDES CGP (SCR100000), Section 3.1.2.B-D and Section 3.1.3 (Signatory Requirements); inspector qualifications at Section 4.2.ESource
Coverage trigger
Worked through at 3 acres
The project disturbs 3 acres, at or above the 1 acre threshold, so it needs permit coverage.
The trigger people miss is the second one. A half acre lot inside a 40 acre subdivision is covered, because the larger common plan of development or sale is what counts, not the lot.
Read these before you act on the answer
- Requirements below are what we have read and cited directly from NPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges From Construction Activities, Permit Number SCR100000 (2026 Construction General Permit), not the federal CGP. A category we have not yet transcribed from this permit is omitted here rather than assumed to match EPA's rule.
- des.sc.gov blocked all direct requests (HTTP 403); content was verified from a South Carolina county-government mirror of the identical, officially signed permit (Permit No. SCR100000, Issued Feb 26 2026, Effective March 30 2026, Expires March 30 2031) plus SCDES's companion Fact Sheet. No numeric effluent limits or fixed benchmark values were found; SC uses a narrative/BMP-based 'Non-Numeric Effluent Limits' approach with TMDL/303(d)-driven site-specific requirements instead. No acreage-tiered stabilization COMPLETION deadline was found -- only a single 14-day initiation deadline applies regardless of site size. No standalone inspection-report-filing deadline separate from the inspection interval was found.
- South Carolina requires a credentialed preparer for a site like this one. The gate applies above 2 acres. This site is 3 acres. Treat the generated document as a draft for that person to sign.
- Basinwise does not perform the physical site inspections the permit requires. Those must be carried out on site by a qualified person.
What the permit requires of a South Carolina site
Worked for a three acre site with the receiving water unconfirmed. Each line says why it attached to this site rather than in general. Check the notes above for the site sizes this permit does not cover.
Filing
Notice of Intent deadline
NOI must be submitted and written approval received before land-disturbing activity may commence -- no fixed day-count lead time is stated.
Why this applies here: This is the deadline for a new site. A transfer to a new operator or an emergency related project has a different deadline.
you must submit a complete and accurate NOI and other information required in Section 2.3.3 prior to commencement of construction activities. Land disturbing activities may not commence until written approval is granted by the Department
Notice of Termination deadline
30The NOT must be submitted within 30 days of a qualifying termination condition being met.
The NOT must be submitted within 30 days of one of the above conditions being met. Authorization to discharge terminates at midnight of the day the NOT is signed.
Inspections
Inspection frequency, option 1
7Inspections must occur at least once every calendar week, with no gap exceeding 9 days, until final stabilization.
Why this applies here: You have not confirmed whether the site discharges to an impaired or high quality water. If it does, the increased frequency applies instead and this answer changes.
inspections must be conducted at a minimum of at least once every calendar week, with no time period between inspections exceeding 9 days, and must be conducted until final stabilization is reached on all areas of the construction site
Who may inspect
For projects disturbing more than 2 acres, inspections must be performed by the C-SWPPP preparer, a person with equivalent registration, an individual under direct supervision of a qualified preparer, or an SCDES-certified Construction Site Inspector.
Why this applies here: This is why Basinwise cannot perform your inspections. The permit requires a trained person physically on the site.
For Projects that disturb more than 2 acres, "Qualified personnel" must be: Preparer of the C-SWPPP; or a person with a registration equivalent to the registration of the preparer of the C-SWPPP who is knowledgeable in the principles and practice of erosion and sediment controls.
Stabilisation
Initiate stabilisation
Initiate soil stabilization measures as soon as practicable whenever land-disturbing activities have ceased, but in no case more than 14 days after cessation.
Why this applies here: This applies at both land disturbance amounts.
initiate soil stabilization measures as soon as practicable whenever land-disturbing activities have been temporarily or permanently ceased, but in no case more than 14 days after land-disturbing activity in that portion of the construction site has temporarily or permanently ceased
Corrective action
Corrective action, minor fix
7 calendar days
If site inspections required by Section 4.2 identify BMPs that are not operating effectively, maintenance must be performed within seven (7) calendar days, before the next inspection, or as reasonably possible, and before the next storm event whenever practicable
Buffers
Natural buffer
30Where Waters of the U.S. are on or immediately adjacent to the site, provide/maintain at minimum a 30-foot undisturbed Natural Buffer between the water and the outermost controls.
Provide and maintain, at a minimum, a 30-foot undisturbed buffer zone during construction. This Natural Buffer should be located between the Waters of the U.S. and the outermost sediment and erosion controls at the construction site
Records you must keep
Corrective action log entries
SWPPP revisions must be completed within 7 calendar days following the inspection.
Revisions to each SWPPP must be completed within seven (7) calendar days following the inspection.
Record retention
3A record of each inspection and any actions taken must be retained for at least 3 years from the date permit coverage expires or is terminated.
Why this applies here: The clock runs from permit expiry or termination, not from when the record was written, so on a multi year project every record stays live for the whole project plus three years.
A record of each inspection and of any actions taken in accordance with this Section must be retained as part of the On-site SWPPP for at least three years from the date that permit coverage expires or is terminated.
Screen a South Carolina site now
Your acreage, your receiving water, your answer. Runs in your browser, nothing is transmitted.
What a plan has to cover, under the federal permit
This is EPA's list, from the 2022 Construction General Permit. It does NOT govern in South Carolina, where the state issues its own permit and sets its own contents. It is here as a shape to expect, not as the requirement you will be held to.
General SWPPP requirementPart 7.1Verified
- All operators associated with a construction site under this permit must develop a SWPPP consistent with Part 7 prior to their submittal of the NOI. The SWPPP must be kept up-to-date throughout coverage under this permit. If a SWPPP was prepared under a previous version of this permit, the operator must review and update it before submitting an NOI.
All Site OperatorsPart 7.2.1Verified
- Include a list of all other operators who will be engaged in construction activities at the site, and the areas of the site over which each operator has control.
Stormwater TeamPart 7.2.2Verified
- Identify the personnel (by name and position) on the stormwater team pursuant to Part 6.1, their individual responsibilities, and which members are responsible for conducting inspections. Include verification that each member has received the Part 6.2 training, and documentation that inspection personnel have received the Part 6.3 training (EPA inspector training certificates, or documentation of a current non-EPA program certification plus confirmation the program satisfies the Part 6.3b minimum elements).
Nature of Construction ActivitiesParts 7.2.3a - 7.2.3iVerified
- A description of the nature of your construction activities, including the age or dates of past renovations for structures undergoing demolition
- The size of the property (in acres, or length in miles if a linear construction site)
- The total area expected to be disturbed by the construction activities (to the nearest quarter acre, or nearest quarter mile if a linear construction site)
- A description of any on-site and off-site construction support activity areas covered by this permit
- The maximum area expected to be disturbed at any one time, including on-site and off-site construction support activity areas
- A description and projected schedule for: commencement of construction activities in each portion of the site (clearing and grubbing, mass grading, demolition, site preparation, final grading, and creation of soil and vegetation stockpiles requiring stabilization); temporary or permanent cessation of construction activities in each portion; temporary or final stabilization of exposed areas for each portion; and removal of temporary stormwater controls and construction equipment or vehicles and cessation of construction-related pollutant-generating activities
- A list and description of all pollutant-generating activities on the site, with an inventory of pollutants or pollutant constituents associated with each, taking into account where potential spills and leaks could occur and any known hazardous or toxic substances such as PCBs and asbestos that will be disturbed or removed
- Business days and hours for the project
- If conducting construction activities in response to a public emergency, a description of the cause of the emergency, information substantiating its occurrence (e.g. a State disaster declaration), and a description of the construction necessary to reestablish affected public services
Site MapParts 7.2.4a - 7.2.4kVerified
- Boundaries of the property
- Locations where construction activities will occur, including: locations of earth-disturbing activities (noting any phasing) including demolition; approximate slopes before and after major grading (noting any steep slopes); locations where sediment, soil or other construction materials will be stockpiled; any receiving water crossings; designated points where vehicles will exit onto paved roads; locations of structures and other impervious surfaces upon completion; and locations of on-site and off-site construction support activity areas
- Locations of any receiving waters within the site and all receiving waters within one mile downstream of the site's discharge point(s), identifying whether any are listed as impaired or identified as a Tier 2, Tier 2.5 or Tier 3 water
- Any areas of Federally listed critical habitat within the action area of the site
- Type and extent of pre-construction cover on the site (e.g. vegetative cover, forest, pasture, pavement, structures)
- Drainage patterns of stormwater and authorized non-stormwater before and after major grading activities
- Stormwater and authorized non-stormwater discharge locations, including discharges to storm drain inlets (noting whether the inlet conveys stormwater to a sediment basin, sediment trap or similarly effective control), discharges directly to receiving waters, and locations where turbidity benchmark monitoring will take place
- Locations of all potential pollutant-generating activities identified in Part 7.2.3g
- Designated areas where construction wastes covered by the Part 2.3.3e.ii exception will be stored
- Locations of stormwater controls, including natural buffer areas and any shared controls utilized to comply with this permit
- Locations where polymers, flocculants or other treatment chemicals will be used and stored
Non-Stormwater DischargesPart 7.2.5Verified
- Identify all authorized non-stormwater discharges in Part 1.2.2 that will or may occur.
Procedures for Inspection, Maintenance, and Corrective ActionParts 7.2.7a - 7.2.7eVerified
- The inspection schedule you will follow, based on whether your site is subject to Part 4.2 or Part 4.3, or whether it qualifies for any of the reduced inspection frequencies in Part 4.4
- If conducting inspections under Part 4.2.2, Part 4.3 or Part 4.4.1b, the location of the rain gauge or the address of the weather station you will use to obtain rainfall data
- If reducing your inspection frequency in accordance with Part 4.4.1b, the beginning and ending dates of the seasonally defined arid period for your area or the valid period of drought
- If reducing your inspection frequency in accordance with Part 4.4.3, the beginning and ending dates of frozen conditions on your site
- Any maintenance or inspection checklists or other forms that will be used
Procedures for Turbidity Benchmark Monitoring from Dewatering Discharges (if applicable)Part 7.2.8Verified
- If required to comply with the Part 3.3 turbidity benchmark monitoring requirements, describe the procedures you will follow to collect and evaluate samples, report results to EPA, keep records of monitoring information, and take corrective action when necessary. Include the specific type of turbidity meter you will use and any manuals or manufacturer instructions on how to operate and calibrate it. Describe any coordinating arrangement with other permitted operators on the same site, including which parties are tasked with specific responsibilities. If EPA has approved an alternate turbidity benchmark, include the data and documentation relied on to request it.
Compliance with Other RequirementsParts 7.2.9a - 7.2.9cVerified
- Threatened and Endangered Species Protection: include the documentation required in the Endangered Species Protection section of the NOI in NeT, or the ESA worksheet in Appendix D, supporting your eligibility
- Historic Properties: include the documentation required in Appendix E supporting your eligibility with regard to the protection of historic properties
- Safe Drinking Water Act Underground Injection Control (UIC) requirements: if using infiltration trenches, commercially manufactured pre-cast or pre-built proprietary subsurface detention vaults/chambers/devices designed to capture and infiltrate stormwater, or drywells, seepage pits or improved sinkholes, document any contact with the applicable State agency or EPA Regional Office responsible for underground injection wells. Such controls would generally be considered Class V UIC wells
SWPPP CertificationPart 7.2.10Verified
- Your signatory must sign and date your SWPPP in accordance with Appendix G, Part G.11.
Post-Authorization Additions to the SWPPPParts 7.2.11a - 7.2.11cVerified
- A copy of your NOI submitted to EPA along with any correspondence exchanged between you and EPA related to coverage under this permit
- A copy of the acknowledgment letter you receive from NeT assigning your NPDES ID (i.e. permit tracking number)
- A copy of this permit (an electronic copy easily available to the stormwater team is also acceptable)
Read the permit itself at the source document.
What people ask about SWPPP requirements in South Carolina
What are the SWPPP requirements in South Carolina?
South Carolina issues its own construction general permit, and we have read NPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges From Construction Activities, Permit Number SCR100000 (2026 Construction General Permit). The requirements listed on this page, such as inspection frequency, who may inspect, stabilisation, corrective action and record retention, are cited to that permit rather than to EPA's. Anything we have not transcribed is left out instead of assumed to match the federal rule, and the scope note on this page says which sites the permit does not cover. Confirm the current permit and any site-size variant with South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES), Bureau of Water, Dam Safety and Stormwater Permitting Division.
Who may prepare a SWPPP in South Carolina?
South Carolina requires a credentialed preparer for a site like this one. The gate applies above 2 acres. This site is 3 acres. Treat the generated document as a draft for that person to sign.
How often must a South Carolina site be inspected?
The inspection frequency is set by the South Carolina construction general permit, which we have not read. Confirm it with South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES), Bureau of Water, Dam Safety and Stormwater Permitting Division.
The permit makes you keep the record, not just know the answer
Screening is free. Pro generates the site specific plan document and retains the inspection and corrective action log.