Do I Need A SWPPP Permit?
If you find yourself wondering if your construction project is required to have a SWPPP Permit or SWPPP Certification as they are often called, you are not alone. In our experience, while this question is one that is quite simply answered, it is also one that is often misunderstood.
In this article, we will cover the specific circumstances in which a SWPPP Permit is required, and briefly touch on what that requirement entails.
If I had a nickel for every time I was told that a city or a county didn’t require a SWPPP for a project, I might be able to buy a decent cheeseburger. While there might be instances where a city, county, or even an HOA require a SWPPP for a project that might not be otherwise required, in truth the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality has a state-wide authority to govern SWPPP delegated from the EPA. The TCEQ specifies the requirements for having a SWPPP Permit in the TXR 150000, otherwise known as the Construction General Permit.
To test if your Texas construction project needs a SWPPP, ask yourself:
- Is the project disturbing an area equal to or greater than 1 Acre?
- Is the project part of a larger common plan?
If you answered “yes” to either of those questions, you will be required to generate a SWPPP Permit for your project. In addition to developing the SWPPP Permit, the project will require regular SWPPP inspections and reporting, and if the project is disturbing greater than 5 acres the TCEQ requires a Notice of Intent as well as a Site Specific Authorization Number.
What is a SWPPP Permit?
If you now find yourself wondering, “What is required for a SWPPP Permit?” then check this article in our blog that answers that exact question!