General blank form. Not a substitute for the permit, the SWPPP, or a qualified inspector. Not an SCDES form.
Generic template. Not engineering or legal advice.
Your permit, C-SWPPP, and MS4 control what must be inspected and recorded.
Independent guide, not affiliated with SCDES. Full site disclaimer: SWPPP HQ website, Disclaimer page (https://swppphq.com/disclaimer).
SWPPP rain log template (South Carolina construction site, generic)
Based on SCR100000 (effective Mar 30, 2026). Last checked Oct 20, 2026. Keep this log in the on-site SWPPP.
What the permit says (§4.2.D, quoted): "It is strongly recommended that permittees maintain an on-site rain gauge during active construction, to record rainfall records from any significant rainfall event, 0.5 inches or greater. Permittees may utilize data from a certified weather record (such as a personal weather station or an airport) located within reasonable proximity of the construction site in lieu of an on-site rain gauge. These recorded rainfall amounts must be maintained in a Rain Log located in the on-site SWPPP. Rainfall records for the day of an inspection and any significant rainfall events since the last inspection must be reported on each weekly inspection report."
Each inspection report must also include "Total rainfall since last inspection;" §4.2.F.V
The permit is narrower than a typical rain log. An on-site gauge is "strongly recommended," not required; a certified weather record nearby may be used instead §4.2.D. The permit does not set a daily reading schedule or say who records readings. It names significant events (0.5 inches or greater), rainfall on inspection days, and total rainfall since the last inspection §4.2.D, §4.2.F.V. Columns marked "optional" are not permit items. Your C-SWPPP/OS-SWPPP or MS4 may require more. SC Reg. 72-307 uses different storm wording (a storm "of greater than 0.5 inches of precipitation during any 24-hour period"); we don't resolve how that fits with the permit. Follow your own permit and C-SWPPP.
Site name §4.2.F.XI
Permit (coverage) number §4.2.F.XI
Rainfall source §4.2.D: On-site rain gauge, location on site: Certified weather record within reasonable proximity, name/ID and distance:
Date
Rainfall (inches) §4.2.D
Source §4.2.D
Significant event (0.5 in. or greater)? §4.2.D
Reported on inspection report dated §4.2.D, §4.2.F.V
Recorded by / notes (optional, not a permit item)
Gauge Record
Yes No
Gauge Record
Yes No
Gauge Record
Yes No
Gauge Record
Yes No
Gauge Record
Yes No
Gauge Record
Yes No
Gauge Record
Yes No
Gauge Record
Yes No
Gauge Record
Yes No
Gauge Record
Yes No
Gauge Record
Yes No
Gauge Record
Yes No
Gauge Record
Yes No
Gauge Record
Yes No
Gauge Record
Yes No
Gauge Record
Yes No
Gauge Record
Yes No
Gauge Record
Yes No
At each inspection, carry onto the report: rainfall on the inspection day, any significant events (0.5 inches or greater) since the last inspection §4.2.D, and total rainfall since the last inspection §4.2.F.V. Keep this log in the on-site SWPPP (§4.2.D). The permit says copies of the C-SWPPP/OS-SWPPP and “all documentation required by this permit” must be retained for at least three years from the date that permit coverage expires or is terminated, and “This period may be extended by request of SCDES or a Regulated MS4 at any time” (§7.1). Inspection reports, which include rainfall (§4.2.F.V), must also be kept for at least three years (§4.2.H). Your C-SWPPP, MS4, or SCDES may require more.