Emergency situations on the beachfront, due to chronic erosion or related to a storm event, may prompt SCDES BCM to issue emergency orders authorizing property owners to construct temporary barriers against wave uprush. On the beachfront, emergency orders may be issued by the agency or by an appointed official of a county or municipality for sandbags, sand-scraping and/or minor renourishment to provide temporary protection to beachfront structures which may be in imminent danger from erosion.  

The property owner or other recipient of the emergency order must obtain any additional permits and agency reviews that may be required by other local, state, or federal agencies. All required permits and reviews must be obtained prior to the commencement of work. Unless otherwise approved by SCDES BCM, activities authorized under emergency orders must be performed using the criteria established in S.C. Code Ann. Regs. 30-15(H)

Other options for lessening impacts from erosion can include larger-scale beach renourishment; projects to protect, restore or build dunes; and dune revegetation efforts. The Beachfront Management Section is available to discuss potential options with property owners. 

Applying for an Emergency Order

Emergency Order applicants must submit a complete application form for the specific type of emergency order activity and provide recent site photos showing the proximity of erosion to the habitable structure or threatened infrastructure. There is no notification requirement or fee for this application. Please visit ePermitting and select the “BCM Critical Area Activities” form to apply online. 

Contact

SCDES BCM staff are available to assist property owners. If you suspect authorization may be required for your beachfront activity, or if you have questions related to authorization requirements, please contact SCDES BCM’s Beachfront Management Section at (843) 953-0200, or visit the Project Manager Finder Application to find contact information for SCDES BCM project managers by geographic area.