When stormwater drains off a construction site, it carries sediment and other pollutants that can harm lakes, streams, and wetlands. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 20 to 150 tons of soil per acre are lost every year to stormwater runoff from construction sites. MPCA issues coverage to construction site owners and their operators under the Construction Stormwater general permit to prevent stormwater pollution during and after construction, and protect Minnesota's water resources.
Who needs a permit?
You need permit coverage if you are the owner or operator for any construction activity disturbing:
- one acre or more of soil.
- less than one acre of soil, if that activity is part of a larger "common plan of development or sale" that covers more than one acre.
If you are uncertain whether you need a permit, use this flow chart:
Common plan of development or sale
A common plan of development or sale — such as a subdivision, phased project, or combination of construction activities — is an area where multiple, contiguous, separate land-disturbing activities may happen on different schedules, but under one proposed plan.
Check if you need construction stormwater subdivision registration from the MPCA before construction begins. If a portion of a permitted project is sold, such as a single lot in a residential development, use the subdivision registration form (see table below) to transfer permit coverage to the new owner/contractor. This process allows a single permit covering an entire site to be broken up or “subdivided” to cover many different builders and sites.
Examples of common plan of development activities that require permit coverage
Apply for coverage
See the Steps to construction page for full details on what to do before you apply. Apply for construction stormwater permit coverage online. For assistance:
Reminder: All required wetland permits or determinations must be complete before application.
Permit search
Find construction sites covered by MPCA stormwater permits.
Permit and program forms
| Permit/application | Summary | Instructions and fact sheets |
|---|---|---|
| Permit number MNR100001, issued Aug. 1, 2023 | ||
| Online stormwater permit application | Complete and submit online. Permit coverage will begin one business day after submitting a complete application. | See "Getting started with MPCA e-Services" above. Construction stormwater permit FAQs If the project is located on tribal lands, you will need to obtain permit coverage from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. |
| For modifying information provided on the original application, including site name, location, acreage, receiving waters, and project dates. | ||
| For transferring permit coverage on a portion of a site already covered by the permit | See Guidance for stormwater permit forms above | |
| For transferring permit coverage for an entire site to a new owner or contractor | See Guidance for stormwater permit forms above | |
| Notice of termination | For terminating permit coverage | Permit terminations must be done electronically using e-services. |
Special waters and impaired waters
NPDES/SDS permits for construction sites with a discharge point that flows toward, and is within one mile (aerial radius measurement) of specially protected and impaired waters require additional controls and conditions as outlined in section 23 of the General Stormwater Permit.
Use this map to identify special or impaired waters within one mile of your construction site:
Construction stormwater compliance staff
The MPCA provides technical assistance to help construction site owners and managers meet environmental requirements. Contact the compliance staff for your area for assistance.
| Name | Phone | Counties served | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Dexter | 218-302-6632 | james.dexter@state.mn.us | Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Mille Lacs, Pine, St. Louis |
| Dale Sova | 218-316-3934 | dale.sova@state.mn.us | Big Stone, Chippewa, Crow Wing, Douglas, Grant, Kandiyohi, Meeker, Morrison, Pope, Renville, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse |
| Alee Codman | 507-206-2611 | aleesha.codman@state.mn.us | Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Waseca, Winona |
| Dale Sova | 218-316-3934 | dale.sova@state.mn.us | Becker, Beltrami, Cass, Clay, Clearwater, Hubbard, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Otter Tail, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, Roseau, Wadena, Wilkin |
| Alee Codman | 507-206-2611 | aleesha.codman@state.mn.us | Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Jackson, Lac Qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock, Watonwan, Yellow Medicine |
| Ellie Bergfalk | 651-757-2859 | ellie.bergfalk@state.mn.us | Benton, Dakota, Isanti, McLeod, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, Wright |
| Matt Hoskins | 651-757-2864 | matthew.hoskins@state.mn.us | Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Hennepin, Ramsey, Washington |