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Weekly SWPPP inspection checklist (SC permit SCR100000, Section 4.2)

Last checked Oct 20, 2026.

EDUCATIONAL ONLY: READ FIRST. This checklist is general, educational information drawn from the permit text. It is not legal or engineering advice, and it is not a substitute for permit SCR100000, your approved SWPPP, or a qualified inspector. Using it does not make anyone a qualified inspector or a report compliant. Your OS-SWPPP, your MS4, or SCDES may require more.

This checklist follows the inspection rules in Section 4.2 of South Carolina's 2026 Construction General Permit. It is general information, not legal advice. Your approved On-Site SWPPP (OS-SWPPP), your MS4, or SCDES may require more. Where they do, follow them.

Main source: SCDES NPDES General Permit SCR100000 (2026), Section 4.2, PDF pp.52–55: https://des.sc.gov/sites/des/files/Documents/BOW/Stormwater/SCDESCGP2026.pdf ("p." = PDF page). Re-downloaded Oct 20, 2026; same file as before.

Part A. Who may do the inspection (CGP §4.2.E, p.54)

"Inspections must be conducted by qualified personnel (provided by the Permittee) as outlined by the following:"

Sites disturbing more than 2 acres. "Qualified personnel" must be one of these:

Which course is approved? SCDES says: "At present Clemson University's CEPSCI course meets this requirement." (SCDES Construction Activities page, Step 7, https://des.sc.gov/programs/bureau-water/stormwater/stormwater-construction-activities, checked Oct 20, 2026.) Example published fee: Clemson lists "Class, certification exam, materials: $395" and "Recertification class: $275" (https://www.clemson.edu/extension/cepsci/about/payment-policies.html, checked Oct 20, 2026).

Sites of 2 acres or less, not part of an LCP:

"For Projects that disturb 2 acres or less, and that are not part of an LCP, the Permittee or his designee may perform these inspections provided the preparer of the C-SWPPP explains the OS-SWPPP including implementation along with the inspection requirements to the person who will be conducting the inspections."
Source: CGP §4.2.E.I, p.54.

Small sites that drain to Sensitive Waters:

"The Department and Regulated MS4s reserve the right to require that inspections be performed by an inspector meeting the requirements of 4.2.E.I for construction sites less than two acres in size that drain to Sensitive Waters, when deemed necessary."
Source: CGP §4.2.E.II, p.54.

Unconfirmed, verify with SCDES: what the cross-reference in 4.2.E.II means. 4.2.E.II points to "the requirements of 4.2.E.I". But 4.2.E.I is the small-site designee rule, so the reference seems to mean the qualified-personnel list above it. The permit does not say so.

Unconfirmed, verify with SCDES: who may inspect a site of exactly 2.0 acres. The inspector rule uses "more than 2 acres" and "2 acres or less". SCDES's web page says sites "with 2 acres more of land disturbance" need qualified personnel (CA page, Step 7, wording as printed). Under the permit text, a non-LCP site of exactly 2.0 acres falls under 4.2.E.I. The web page reads the other way.

Unconfirmed, verify with SCDES or your MS4: who may inspect an LCP site of 2 acres or less. The qualified-personnel list covers projects "that disturb more than 2 acres". The designee rule (4.2.E.I) covers only sites "not part of an LCP". The permit does not say who may inspect an LCP site, such as a subdivision lot, that disturbs 2 acres or less. Ask SCDES or the MS4.

Signing the report:

"The qualified inspector, as identified in section 4.2.E, must sign the inspection report."
Source: CGP §4.2.H, p.55.

Secondary Permittees:

"If inspection responsibilities are not shared between the Primary and Secondary Permittees, each Secondary Permittee must provide their own inspections for the portions of the site for which their coverage includes."
Source: CGP §4.2.A, p.52.

Part B. How often (CGP §4.2.B, p.53)

"After construction activities begin, 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."

The permit recommends extra checks but does not require them:

"It is recommended that BMPs be assessed by the contractor within 24 hours of the end of a storm event of 1.0 inch or greater, as well as during the first rain event after the initiation of construction activities, after the installation of BMPs."

Stabilized areas can drop to monthly:

"Inspection frequencies for portions of the construction site that have reached temporary or final stabilization may be reduced to at least once every month, as long as the stabilization is maintained and there is no additional disturbance in these areas."

"If the entire site has reached final stabilization and you do not submit an NOT, you must continue to perform monthly inspections."

SCDES can require more frequent inspections "on a case-by-case basis", for example for sites with compliance problems or sites draining to Sensitive Waters (§4.2.B, p.53).

Unconfirmed, verify with SCDES: how SC Reg 72-307.B(1) and the permit's inspection frequency fit together. SC Reg 72-307.B(1) says plans "shall provide that all sediment and erosion controls are inspected at least once every seven calendar days and after any storm event of greater than 0.5 inches of precipitation during any 24-hour period." (PDF p.18, https://des.sc.gov/sites/des/files/Library/Regulations/R.72-300_72-316.pdf.) The permit instead says once a calendar week, no gap over 9 days, and only recommends checks after 1.0-inch storms. The permit and the regulation use different wording. We found no SCDES statement on how they fit together. Your approved SWPPP and your MS4 may set the schedule for your site.

Linear projects such as utility lines can use representative inspections: "personnel must inspect controls along the construction Site for 0.25 mile above and below each access point" (§4.2.C, p.53).

Part C. Where to look (CGP §4.2.A, p.52): the field checklist

The permit lists these areas for each inspection (§4.2.A).

Practical prompts tied to the permit's maintenance triggers (CGP §4.3.A, pp.55–56):

Part D. What the report must include (CGP §4.2.F, pp.54–55)

"For each inspection required above, you must complete an inspection report. At a minimum, the inspection report must include:"

Rainfall records (CGP §4.2.D, p.54):

"It is strongly recommended that permittees maintain an on-site rain gauge during active construction, to record rainfall records from any significant rainfall event, 0.5 inches or greater."

Instead of an on-site gauge, you may use "data from a certified weather record (such as a personal weather station or an airport) located within reasonable proximity of the construction site". Either way:

"Rainfall records for the day of an inspection and any significant rainfall events since the last inspection must be reported on each weekly inspection report."

Part E. After the inspection: repair deadlines (CGP §4.3.A, pp.55–56)

Part F. Keep the records

"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."
Source: CGP §4.2.H, p.55.