# County of Florence **URL:** https://aqualisco.com/compliance_item/county-of-florence/ **Author:** Carlie Utesch **Published:** August 15, 2019 > Last Updated 08/06/2026 Florence, South Carolina Municipal Code Article 4 Drainage and Stormwater Management 12-253 Requirement for on-site stormwater systems Private property owners shall provide, manage, maintain, and operate on-site stormwater systems sufficient to collect, convey, detain, and discharge stormwater... --- Last Updated 08/06/2026 ## Florence, South Carolina Municipal Code ### Article 4 Drainage and Stormwater Management #### 12-253 Requirement for on-site stormwater systems Private property owners shall provide, manage, maintain, and operate on-site stormwater systems sufficient to collect, convey, detain, and discharge stormwater in a safe manner consistent with the city’s development regulations and the laws of the State of South Carolina and the United States of America. [ Need Help Interpreting Requirements? ](https://aqualisco.com/request-a-consultation/) #### 12-292 Drainage system standards (a) Street drainage shall serve as a basic drainage system. All streets shall be provided with an adequate storm drainage system consisting of curbs, gutters, and storm sewers. (1) All streets shall be designed so as to carry the stormwater drainage of at least the street itself and adjacent property. (2) Curb drainage inlets shall be provided at appropriate intervals along streets with curb and gutter drainage facilities. These inlets shall connect to storm sewers and a drainage inlet structure with a protective granting shall be installed in accordance with standard specifications of the state department of highways and public transportation. (3) Inlet spacing and capacity shall be adequate to limit the spread of water into the street and to maintain pedestrian walks and street crosswalks free of standing water. (4) Where driveways connect to existing streets with side ditch drainage facilities, a culvert shall be provided under such driveway as required by the city engineer. The minimum pipe size is fifteen (15) inches and shall conform to standard specifications of the state department of highways and public transportation. (5) All streets having curb and gutter on which stormwater flows across intersections and/or driveways shall be provided with suitable cross-gutters at such intersections and driveways.  (b) Off-street drainage: The design of the off-street drainage system shall include the watershed affecting the subdivision and shall be extended to a watercourse or ditch adequate to receive the storm drainage and shall be designed in accordance with the following requirements: (1) When the drainage system is outside of the street right-of-way, the subdivider shall provide all required easements in accordance with subsection [12-291(f)](https://ecode360.com/50797897#50797897).(2) Open ditch drainage may be used, provided that such ditches are “V” ditches with side slopes not exceeding one to three (1:3) ratio, (one vertical to three (3) horizontal) and a maximum depth of two (2) feet. Where open ditches meeting these requirements are not adequate to provide satisfactory storm drainage, an underground piped system shall be installed as required by the city engineer. These open ditches shall be protected from erosion by either sodding or seeding as approved by the city engineer.(3) No open natural major storm drainage course shall be permitted within seventy-five (75) feet of the rear or side of a building as measured from the building to the top of the edge of the drainage facility or vice versa, unless exceptional site planning opportunity is afforded and the improvement will not be jeopardized by flooding or erosion.(4)  Off-street drainage from private parking lots or other buildings/uses shall be channeled to and collected at one or more catch basins located on the private property of the development and piped underground to any reasonably accessible existing storm drainage facility. Such surface storm runoff shall not be allowed to flow over public sidewalks. [ ** View State Page ](https://aqualisco.com/compliance_item/south-carolina/) ### Resources [ ### Florence Municipal Code View Ordinances ](https://ecode360.com/50797958#50797958) [ ### Florence Stormwater Design Manual View PDF ](https://aqualisco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Florence-County-Stormwater-Design-Manual.pdf) [ ### City of Florence Stormwater Homepage Visit Website ](https://www.cityofflorencesc.gov/utilities-department/stormwater/compliance/construction-runoff-and-post-construction-development) ## Frequently Asked Questions Can Florence County inspect my property for stormwater compliance? ** ** Yes. To meet its obligations under its NPDES permit, the county’s designated employees and officials can enter private property to inspect the county’s storm sewer system, install monitoring stations and collect water quality data, and inspect construction activities to confirm compliance with approved stormwater management and sediment control plans. What are the maintenance requirements for permanent stormwater facilities in Florence County? ** ** As the person responsible for a completed stormwater management practice, you must perform, or arrange for, preventive maintenance to keep it functioning properly. If your site uses permanent stormwater BMPs, you’ll also need to sign a permanent stormwater management maintenance agreement, spelling out who finances that ongoing maintenance, whether that’s the property owner, a homeowners association with financing built into deed restrictions, or another county approved mechanism. AQUALIS can help property owners in Florence County put together a maintenance agreement that covers these bases. Will Florence County inspect my detention or retention structure after construction? ** ** Yes, periodically. The County Engineering Division’s post construction inspections cover the condition of vegetation, spillways, embankments, the reservoir area, outlet channels, underground drainage, and sediment load, along with any other factors that could affect the structure’s function. If deficiencies are found, you’ll receive written notification with a timeframe for repairs, followed by a subsequent inspection to confirm the work was completed. What happens if I don't fix a stormwater deficiency in Florence County? ** ** If repairs aren’t made, or aren’t done properly, you can be assessed a civil or criminal penalty, or the county can refer the matter to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC). AQUALIS can help property owners resolve deficiencies quickly to avoid this kind of escalation. What are the penalties for stormwater violations in Florence County? ** ** Civil penalties run up to $1,000 per violation, once you’ve been notified of the violation. Each additional day a violation continues counts as a new violation. Beyond civil penalties, negligent, willful, or intentional violations can also be charged as a misdemeanor, carrying a fine of up to $500 or up to 30 days of confinement per violation, handled through magistrate’s court. How is the stormwater service charge calculated for my Florence County property? ** ** Charges are billed by the City of Florence. Detached homes with more than 1,500 square feet of impervious area are billed for one equivalent residential unit (ERU), while smaller homes are billed at half an ERU. Other developed properties are billed one ERU for every 2,500 square feet of impervious surface, or any partial increment of that. Can I get a credit on my stormwater service charge in Florence County? ** ** Yes, for developed properties other than individual detached homes, based on documented compliance with the city’s Stormwater Utility Service Charge Credit Technical Manual. Qualifying on-site stormwater control systems can earn a credit of up to 50%, proportional to how much they reduce the utility’s cost of providing stormwater services. Incorporated homeowners associations serving groups of detached homes can qualify too, with credits allocated proportionally across the properties represented. AQUALIS can help property owners document their BMPs to support a credit application. The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Regulations change frequently — AQUALIS makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of this content, and any reliance on it is at your own risk. Consult a qualified professional or your local regulatory authority to confirm requirements applicable to your specific property.