BMP inspections for construction sites in Charleston, SC

The Charleston metro is one of the most active construction markets in South Carolina. Large residential subdivisions expanding into Summerville and Goose Creek, commercial and logistics development along the I-26 and I-526 corridors, mixed-use and multifamily projects in North Charleston and the upper peninsula, and manufacturing and warehouse build-out in Berkeley County all require NPDES permit coverage under the SCDHEC Construction General Permit. SC Drone Services covers active construction sites across Charleston, Dorchester, and Berkeley counties with drone BMP inspection documentation.

A single flight documents the full site: every silt fence section, sediment basin, inlet protection device, stabilized construction entrance, slope stabilization measure, and any area of active erosion. GPS-tagged photos organized by BMP type, written condition summary, and a dated flight log delivered within 48 hours.

Any construction activity disturbing one acre or more requires coverage under the SCDHEC Construction General Permit. The inspection schedule is fixed: at least once every seven calendar days during active land disturbance, and within 24 hours of a rainfall event measuring 0.5 inches or more. Both requirements run independently. A rain event inspection does not satisfy or reset the seven-day clock.

The inspection record must include the date and time of inspection, weather conditions, findings at every BMP location, and any corrective action taken or required. Records stay in the SWPPP for at least three years. SCDHEC's Lowcountry district inspects construction sites in the Charleston metro and checks that inspection records are current, complete, and consistent with site conditions on the day of the visit.

Charleston's coastal climate produces frequent and intense summer convective storms. June through September regularly delivers multiple rain events per week that exceed the 0.5-inch trigger, and a single afternoon storm can activate the 24-hour inspection requirement across dozens of active sites in Charleston, Dorchester, and Berkeley counties simultaneously. A drone can cover a North Charleston or Summerville site at first light the morning after a rain event in the time it takes to complete a partial ground inspection of the same site. Same-day rain event flights are available across the Charleston metro for contracted clients.

Environmental consultants and CEPSCI inspectors managing multiple active permitted sites across the tri-county area can use aerial documentation to expand coverage capacity during peak inspection season. We work as a drone documentation subcontractor on your existing inspection program. You remain the qualified inspector of record and sign every inspection record. We deliver GPS-tagged aerial documentation formatted for your SWPPP log, covering Charleston, Dorchester, and Berkeley county sites on the same schedule.