# Georgetown County Adds Wetland Buffers and Building Setbacks

> The county’s August explanation described added protections alongside exemptions for some existing lots and projects.

By GTC News Team

Published: 2026-11-08T20:31:47-05:00
Source date: 2026-08-07
Event or coverage date: Ordinance adopted before August 7, 2026 explainer
Canonical: https://georgetowncountynews.com/news/wetlands-protections-august-explainer/

Georgetown County outlined new wetlands protections in an August 7 planning release, saying an adopted ordinance added undisturbed buffers and further setbacks for structures.

The county said the measure addressed wetlands not already regulated by federal or state agencies, while extending local buffer protections around wetlands. Planning Director Holly Richardson described a process involving foresters, environmental groups, engineers and other stakeholders.

The release also identified exemptions for existing lots and said some projects already underway could continue under earlier rules. It did not describe a blanket development ban. Property-specific applications require consulting the adopted ordinance and county planning staff; the explainer alone does not establish every applicable dimension or exemption.

## Sources

- [Georgetown County Planning and Zoning, August 7 explainer](https://www.gtcountysc.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/767)

## Related Topics

- [Georgetown County](https://georgetowncountynews.com/tag/georgetown-county/)
- [Holly Richardson](https://georgetowncountynews.com/tag/holly-richardson/)