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City of Austin(3 more)
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| Field | Local City of Austin City of Austin Watershed Protection Department (WPD) |
|---|---|
| Permit | |
| Permit / Authorization | Drainage Criteria Manual Authorization (site plan / grading permit) |
| Submit To | City of Austin Watershed Protection Department (WPD) |
| Lead Time | Variable — site plan approval required before grading permit issuance; plan review typically 2–6 weeks |
| Application Method | Online via Austin Build + Connect (ABC) portal (abc.austintexas.gov); paper submittals accepted at Development Services Department |
| Fee | Based on project size and impervious cover; grading permit fee schedule at AustinTexas.gov/BuildingPermits |
| Water Quality | |
| Impervious Cover Limit | Varies by watershed: 15% in Barton Springs Zone (BSZ); 25% in Water Supply Rural (WSR); 40% in Water Supply Suburban (WSS); no citywide cap in urban watersheds (some Water Quality Transition Zones apply) |
| On-Site Treatment Required | Yes |
| Detention Required | Yes — 2-year and 100-year storm detention required for increases in impervious cover; water quality volume (WQv) capture required; bioretention, wet ponds, or cisterns typical |
| Turbidity / Discharge Standard | No numeric NTU limit in local ordinance; discharges must comply with TCEQ TXR150000 and not cause erosion or visible turbidity in receiving creeks |
| SWPPP | |
| SWPPP / Local Plan Required | Yes — Erosion & Sedimentation Control (ESC) Plan, required as part of grading permit package |
| PE Stamp Required | Yes |
| Inspections | |
| Inspection Requirements | City of Austin WPD conducts periodic site inspections separate from TCEQ. Inspections triggered by complaints or during storm events. Grading permit requires a final stabilization inspection before close-out. |
| Inspector Qualification | No additional city-specific certification beyond TCEQ requirements; however, the PE-of-record is responsible for ESC plan compliance |
| Design & Zones | |
| Local Design Manual | City of Austin Drainage Criteria Manual (DCM) |
| Special Overlay Zones | Critical Water Quality Zone (CWQZ), Water Quality Transition Zone (WQTZ), Barton Springs Zone (BSZ) / Edwards Aquifer Contributing Zone, Erosion Hazard Zone (EHZ), Floodplain |