Draft general permit for Construction Activity
The public comment period for the draft permit has ended. For more information on the draft permit or any recent updates visit the 2018 Construction Stormwater Permit page.Online permitting
This permitting service was redeveloped in October 2015. You will need to create a new account if you used the older version of this service.
For assistance, refer to the fact sheet 
Getting started with MPCA e-Services, visit the e-Services webpage, or email us at onlineservices.pca@state.mn.us.
When stormwater drains off a construction site, it carries sediment and other pollutants that 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. Controlling erosion can significantly reduce the amount of sediment and other pollutants transported by runoff from construction sites.
To keep Minnesota’s valuable water resources clean, the MPCA issues permits to construction site owners and their operators to prevent stormwater pollution during and after construction.
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)/State Disposal System (SDS) Construction Stormwater General Permit authorizes stormwater runoff from construction sites. This permit was reissued on August 1, 2013, and will expire on August 1, 2018. Check back for updates and opportunities to provide feedback on the next permit, which is scheduled for reissuance in early 2018.
Who needs an NPDES/SDS permit
You need an NPDES/SDS permit 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 is greater than one acre. See: Common Plans of Development for more information.
- Less than one acre of soil, but the MPCA determines that the activity poses a risk to water resources.
How to apply for a NPDES/SDS permit
Owners and operators are both responsible for submitting the permit application. Owners and operators of construction activity must complete several steps before completing a permit application and beginning construction.
Permit and program forms
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Permit/application |
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Instructions and fact sheets |
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Permit Number: MN R 100001, issued on August 1, 2013 |
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The online General Stormwater Permit Application can be completed and submitted electronically. Permit coverage will begin 7 days after submitting a complete application. |
For assistance, refer to the fact sheet If the project is located in a Tribal Reservation, you will need to obtain permit coverage from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. |
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Use this form to terminate permit coverage or to transfer ownership of the entire site or portions of the site (Subdivision Registration) |
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View the status of your permits online. |
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Permit archives
2013 permit archives
2008 permit archives
Special waters and impaired waters
NPDES/SDS permits for construction sites with a discharge point that flows towards, and is within one mile (aerial radius measurement) of specially protected and impaired waters require additional controls and conditions as outlined in Appendix A of the General Stormwater Permit.
Special and impaired waters search
Use this tool to identify if your construction site is within one mile of a special or impaired water.
Compliance guidance
- Stormwater Compliance Assistance Toolkit for Small Construction Operators (wq-strm2-09)
- Construction Stormwater Permit Overview
- Steps to construction
- Permit Training Requirements
- Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs)
- SWPPP checklist
Construction SWPPP Template- Construction Stormwater Inspection Checklist (wq-strm2-36)
- Construction Stormwater Special Waters Search
- How to Determine Latitude and Longitude
- How to Use the Notice of Termination/ Permit Modification Form
- Homeowner Fact Sheet
- Reporting Construction Site Stormwater Discharges (wq-strm2-105)
Best management practices (BMP) guidance
- Stormwater Construction Inspector's Field Guide (wq-strm2-11)
- Stormwater Construction Inspection Guide (wq-strm2-10)
- Top 5 Construction Stormwater Permit Violations
- Perimeter control
- Construction Stormwater Buffer Zone Requirements
- Constructing Infiltration Systems
- Concrete Washout Guidance
- Slope and Site Stabilization
- Storm Drain Inlet Protection
- Vehicle tracking
Topic-specific guidance
- Common Plans of Development
- Solar Sites and Stormwater Management
- Crop production on NPDES/SDS permitted sites
- Agricultural Conservation Practice Projects
- Drainage Ditch Projects
- Road construction concrete slurry guidance
- EPA guidance on concrete washout requirements
- Forest Road Exemption Guidance
- Linear Utility Projects
- Emergency Application Overview
- Preventing Further Damage After Floods
- Owner Responsibilities Under the Construction Stormwater Permit
- Untreated Stormwater Runoff to Lakes, Streams, and Wetlands
General stormwater management guidance
- Minnesota Stormwater Manual
- Stormwater Best Management Practices- Protecting Water Quality in Urban Areas
- Stormwater and wetlands: Planning and evaluation guidelines (wq-strm1-07)
- Plants for Stormwater Design
Minnesota Rules
Links to additional information
- Report a complaint: Report observed pollution problems to your regional inspector (see map below) or submit a complaint online at the Citizen Complaints page.
- Technical assistance: Contact your regional inspector (see map below).
- Permit application questions: Refer to the fact sheet Getting started with MPCA e-Services, visit the e-Services webpage, or email us at onlineservices.pca@state.mn.us.
- General program questions: Contact the Statewide Compliance Coordinator, Brian Green, at 507-206-2610.
Compliance and enforcement staff territories
