Last Updated 08/21/2026
EXCERPT- Rankin County Stormwater Management Ordinance, 2006
Section III. Permit Applications
A. No person shall be granted a site development permit for land disturbing activities related to land subdivisions and commercial or industrial development which would require the disturbance of 1-acre or more of land surface without the approval of a Stormwater Management Plan (Section V) by the County Engineer.
B. No person shall be granted a site development permit for land disturbing activities not related to land subdivisions and commercial or industrial development which would require the disturbance of 1-acre or more of land surface without the approval of a Drainage Plan (Section IV) by the Building Official. Such activities will not be subject to the requirements of Sections V and VI of this ordinance except when it is determined by the Building Official, based on a review of the proposed activities and site conditions, that circumstances exist which would warrant further review. In the event the Building Official determines further review is warranted, the Building Official may request review by the County Engineer and may require compliance with all other sections of this ordinance.
C. No site development permit is required for the following activities:
1. Any emergency activity which is immediately necessary for the protection of life, property, or natural resources.
2. Farming and other accepted agricultural uses as permitted in the zoning ordinance provided no sediment will leave the site in and the integrity of the vegetative cover will be maintained.
3. Home gardens, home landscaping, or lawn preparations on existing lots of parcels shall be exempted from the provisions stated herein except where it is determined by the County Engineer or Building Official that the possibility for erosion or alteration of drainage patterns or structures is such to necessitate a site development permit.
4. Upon review and consideration of the potential impacts to water quality from a proposed development or land disturbance activity, the County Engineer, Building Official, and Board of Supervisor collectively may consider granting a waiver of some or all of the requirements set forth in this ordinance in such cases where it is determined the potential for negative impacts to water quality and drainage are minimal. The applicant will be responsible for providing information as may be required by the County Engineer, Building Official, and Board of Supervisors for making a thorough and adequate determination of potential impacts to water quality from a development or land disturbance activity.
Section IV. Drainage Plan
The Drainage Plan shall comply with the minimum general requirements set forth in this section. A Drainage Plan will be required for all land disturbance activities that are determined to pose a minimal threat to water quality and are not otherwise covered under Section III, A of this ordinance.
Section V. Stormwater Management Plan
The stormwater management plan shall comply with the minimum general and technical requirements set forth in this Section. The complexity of the plan shall be commensurate with the severity of site conditions and potential for off-site damages. In order to avoid redundancy, the State required Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan may serve as the Stormwater Management Plan provided the minimum requirements set forth in this Section are adequately addressed. The County Engineer, Building Official, or their designee may require additional information if deemed necessary and appropriate to evaluate the feasibility of the plan. The State’s “Planning and Design Manual for the Control of Erosion, Sediment and Stormwater” and “Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) Guidance Manual for Construction Activities” shall be used as a guide when developing the plan. The Stormwater management Plan must specifically address measures for the management of stormwater runoff during construction as well as from the completed development (post-construction). Nonstructural practices for the management of stormwater runoff will take preference over structural practices.
B. Modifications to the plan
1. Major amendments of the stormwater management plan shall be submitted to the County Engineer or Building Official and shall be reviewed and approved, or disapproved, in the same manner as the original plan.
2. Field modifications of a minor nature may be authorized by the County Engineer or Building Official, or their designee, when the approved plan is determined to be ineffective and in need of modification in order to adequately manage stormwater and to comply with the intent of this ordinance.
Section VI. Design Requirements
Grading, erosion control practices, sediment control practices, detention/retention facilities, water quality measures, and waterway crossings shall meet the design criteria set forth in the most recent version of the State’s “Planning and Design Manual for the Control of Erosion, Sediment and Stormwater”, and shall be adequate to prevent transportation of sediment and other potential pollutants from the site to the satisfaction of the County Engineer, Building Official, or their designee.
Section VII. Inspection
B. The permitee or his/her agent shall make regular inspections of all control measures in accordance with the inspection schedule outlined in the approved stormwater management plan. The purpose of such inspections will be to determine the overall effectiveness of the plan and the need for additional control measures or maintenance. All inspections shall be documented in written form (may use inspection form provided in the State’s “Stormwater Small Construction General Permit”) upon request of the County Engineer, Building Official, or their designee, and upon completion of site work.
C. The County Engineer, Building Official, or their designee shall enter the site property of the applicant as deemed necessary to make regular inspections to evaluate the effectiveness of stormwater management measures and plan, and to ensure the validity of the reports filed under subsection B of this Section. Permittee is required to provide immediate access to the County Engineer, Building Official, or their designee for the purpose of conducting inspections.
Section VIII. Illicit Discharges
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to allow discharges to the county stormwater runoff conveyance system that are not composed entirely of stormwater runoff and that contribute to increased nonpoint source pollution and degradation of receiving waters.
Section IX. Enforcement
A. Violation and Penalties
1. In the event that any person holding a site development permit pursuant to this ordinance violates the terms of the permit or implements site development in such a manner as to adversely affect the health, welfare, or safety of persons residing or working in the neighborhood or development site so as to be materially detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to property or improvements in the neighborhood the County Engineer or Building Official may suspend or revoke the site development permit
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Frequently Asked Questions
What triggers a Stormwater Management Plan requirement in Rankin County?
Any land subdivision or commercial or industrial development disturbing 1 acre or more of land surface needs an approved Stormwater Management Plan from the County Engineer before a site development permit can be issued. This is a more rigorous review track than the county’s Drainage Plan process for other types of land disturbance.
Does every 1-acre-plus project in Rankin County need the same level of review?
No. Land disturbance not tied to a subdivision or commercial or industrial development, even at 1 acre or more, only needs a Drainage Plan approved by the Building Official, and generally isn’t subject to the more detailed Stormwater Management Plan and design requirements. If the Building Official reviews the site conditions and determines further scrutiny is warranted, though, the County Engineer can be brought in and the project held to the full ordinance.
Can a commercial property use its state SWPPP to satisfy Rankin County's Stormwater Management Plan requirement?
Yes, in most cases. To avoid redundant paperwork, the state-required Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan can serve as the county’s Stormwater Management Plan, as long as it adequately addresses the county’s minimum requirements. Nonstructural stormwater management practices take preference over structural ones when developing the plan.
How often must stormwater control measures be inspected on a Rankin County construction site?
The permit holder or their agent must make regular inspections according to the schedule set out in the approved stormwater management plan, to confirm the plan’s effectiveness and identify any need for additional controls or maintenance. Written documentation of each inspection must be provided to the County Engineer or Building Official upon request and at the completion of site work.
Can Rankin County inspect a permitted property without advance notice?
Yes. The County Engineer, Building Official, or their designee can enter the property as needed to evaluate whether stormwater management measures are working and confirm the accuracy of submitted inspection reports. The permit holder is required to provide immediate access for these inspections.
What happens if a Rankin County site development permit holder violates the terms of their permit?
If a permit holder violates the permit terms, or carries out site development in a way that materially harms public welfare or damages neighboring property, the County Engineer or Building Official can suspend or revoke the site development permit.
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.
