South Carolina § 49-4-30 - Exemptions.
Full text of South Carolina South Carolina Code of Laws § 49-4-30 — Exemptions., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 49-4-30. Exemptions.
(A) Surface water withdrawals for the following purposes are exempt from the permitting, registering, and reporting requirements provided for in this chapter:
(1) withdrawals associated with active instream dredging or sand-mining operations or other nonconsumptive instream mining operations undertaken pursuant to the South Carolina Mining Act;
(2) emergency withdrawals;
(3) agricultural uses from farm ponds:
(a) owned or leased by the person making the withdrawal; or
(b) situated on two or more separately owned parcels of private property if each property owner agrees to the withdrawal;
(4) a person withdrawing surface water from any pond completely situated on private property and which is supplied only by diffuse surface water springs completely situated on the private property or groundwater withdrawals;
(5) naturally occurring evaporation from impoundments;
(6) a person withdrawing, using, or discharging surface water for the purpose of wildlife habitat management; and
(7) a special purpose district withdrawing surface water from any pond completely situated on property owned by a special purpose district and which is supplied only by diffuse surface water or springs completely situated on the special purpose district's property.
(B) Hydropower generation, including pumped storage, is exempt from the permitting requirements of this chapter but not the reporting requirements in Section 49-4-50.
HISTORY: 1982 Act No. 282, SECTION 3; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1245; 2000 Act No. 366, SECTION 1; 2010 Act No. 247, SECTION 1, eff January 1, 2011.
Editor's Note
2010 Act No. 247, SECTION 4.B, provides:
"Chapter 1, Title 49 of the 1976 Code is not affected by and supersedes Chapter 4, Title 49 of the 1976 Code, as amended by SECTION 1 of this act."
Effect of Amendment
The 2010 amendment rewrote the section.
Source: official South Carolina text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About South Carolina § 49-4-30
What does South Carolina Code of Laws § 49-4-30 cover?
Section 49-4-30 ("Exemptions.") is part of the South Carolina Code of Laws, the codified statutory law of South Carolina. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite South Carolina § 49-4-30?
A common citation format is "South Carolina Code of Laws § 49-4-30" (South Carolina). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of South Carolina law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the South Carolina official source linked on this page or consult a licensed South Carolina attorney.
How does South Carolina § 49-4-30 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in South Carolina can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in South Carolina.