By Sam Foley
Our final quarter of the year brought in fewer permits than the summer months, but that’s to be expected. Despite the unpredictable winter weather, we still issued 8 permits for commercial projects and 59 residential permits between October 1 and December 31, 2025. Of those 59 residential permits, 41 of them were some sort of exemption.
In 2025 we issued a total of 385 stormwater permits and performed over 700 site inspections.
Please remember, if you are moving soil in the unincorporated areas of Richland County you need to consult with us about a stormwater permit to ensure you are following the Stormwater Management and Sediment Control Regulations of Richland County. Reference Matt Christian’s article on what information and documents you need to obtain a stormwater permit.
How about a stormwater minute? Even though colder weather is here, and the ground is mostly frozen, you can still find Zoe and I out and about performing site inspections. Frozen ground could maybe be considered temporarily stabilized, but as soon as the thaw comes, the potential for runoff and erosion concerns is very high! Snow melting can contribute to runoff volume and if you are unable to achieve permanent stability in the fall, chances are you are going to see some erosion and soil loss as the ground thaws. Please ensure that you are monitoring site conditions and add the appropriate sediment controls as needed. If you need advice on managing your site, please give us a call, we are happy to help. Be sure to have a plan in place for finish grading and seeding as the warmer weather returns in the spring. Please keep in mind that we don’t consider the permit requirements completed until your site reaches permanent stability.
