Compare Regulations
Compare state baseline against local requirements in a single view
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Compare state baseline against local requirements in a single view
Rows with an amber indicator differ across selections.
| Field | State Texas TCEQ | Local City of Austin City of Austin Watershed Protection Department (WPD) |
|---|---|---|
| Permit | ||
| Permit / Authorization | Construction General Permit (TXR150000) | Drainage Criteria Manual Authorization (site plan / grading permit) |
| Submit To | TCEQ | City of Austin Watershed Protection Department (WPD) |
| Lead Time | Must file NOI and receive authorization before construction begins | Variable — site plan approval required before grading permit issuance; plan review typically 2–6 weeks |
| Application Method | Online via TCEQ Water Quality ePay system | Online via Austin Build + Connect (ABC) portal (abc.austintexas.gov); paper submittals accepted at Development Services Department |
| Fee | $325 for projects disturbing < 5 acres; $525 for ≥ 5 acres | Based on project size and impervious cover; grading permit fee schedule at AustinTexas.gov/BuildingPermits |
| Water Quality | ||
| Impervious Cover Limit | No statewide 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 | Not specified at state level | Yes |
| Detention Required | Not specified at state level | 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 | Not specified in CGP; discharges must not cause or contribute to violations of water quality standards | 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 | Yes — Erosion & Sedimentation Control (ESC) Plan, required as part of grading permit package |
| PE Stamp Required | No | Yes |
| Inspections | ||
| Inspection Requirements | Every 14 days and within 24 hours of a rainfall event producing ≥ 0.5 inches | 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 | Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) Inspector — no state license required but must be knowledgeable | No additional city-specific certification beyond TCEQ requirements; however, the PE-of-record is responsible for ESC plan compliance |
| Design & Zones | ||
| Local Design Manual | N/A — state level | City of Austin Drainage Criteria Manual (DCM) |
| Special Overlay Zones | N/A — see local jurisdictions | Critical Water Quality Zone (CWQZ), Water Quality Transition Zone (WQTZ), Barton Springs Zone (BSZ) / Edwards Aquifer Contributing Zone, Erosion Hazard Zone (EHZ), Floodplain |