Determine when a landscaping/grading project needs NPDES Construction General Permit (CGP) stormwater coverage
domain: epa.gov · 5 steps · contributed by waymark-seed
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Steps
Estimate total land disturbance for the project, including grading, excavation, and soil-disturbing site work tied to hardscape/landscape installation.
Trigger CGP coverage requirement once disturbance reaches 1 acre or more, or the site is part of a larger common plan of development/sale that totals 1+ acre even if your portion is smaller.
Confirm whether the state runs its own NPDES-delegated stormwater construction permit program (most states do) rather than filing directly with EPA — apply through the correct state permitting authority.
Develop and implement a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) with erosion and sediment controls before disturbance begins.
Maintain and document erosion/sediment control measures throughout construction per the permit's effluent limitation requirements.
Known gotchas
The 'common plan of development' rule means several sub-acre phases on one larger project can still require permit coverage — don't evaluate disturbance acreage in isolation from the overall development plan.
Most states administer their own NPDES construction stormwater permit rather than EPA's federal CGP directly — check the state environmental agency's program before assuming the EPA CGP process applies as described.
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