Compare Regulations
Compare state-level permit requirements side-by-side (up to 4 states)
MA(3 more)
Rows with an amber indicator differ across selected states.
| Field | MA Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| NPDES Program | State-Delegated |
| Permitting Agency | Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) |
| Permit Name | NPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activities (Permit No. MAR10) |
| Construction Threshold | ≥ 1 acre of land disturbance (or < 1 acre if part of a larger common plan of development or sale); Massachusetts also requires coverage for sites that are within certain Zone II (public water supply) or Interim Wellhead Protection Areas regardless of acreage |
| NOI Lead Time | NOI must be submitted and permit coverage must be obtained at least 7 days before land disturbance begins; MassDEP issues a permit PIN upon receipt and the 7-day clock begins at that point; for sites with significant potential impacts, longer lead times are advisable |
| Application Method | Online submission via MassDEP's eDEP system (edep.dep.mass.gov); paper NOI also accepted but online is preferred; the NOI package requires a signed SWPPP certification and site map |
| Permit Fee | $1,000 for sites disturbing 1–5 acres; $2,500 for sites disturbing > 5 acres; fees are submitted with the NOI to MassDEP; no annual renewal fee for the construction phase |
| SWPPP Required | Yes |
| PE Certification Required | No |
| SWPPP Template Available | Yes |
| Inspection Frequency | Every 7 days and within 24 hours after any storm event that produces ≥ 0.5 inches of rainfall in a 24-hour period; if a site has been finally stabilized in part, those areas may be inspected every 14 days; inspections must be documented in writing and retained on-site |
| Inspector Qualification | Inspections must be performed by a person who is knowledgeable in the principles and practice of erosion and sediment control; Massachusetts strongly recommends — but does not mandate in the general permit — certification as a Certified Erosion, Sediment, and Storm Water Inspector (CESSWI) or equivalent; some local conservation commission orders require a certified professional |
| Post-Construction Required | Yes |
| Turbidity Standard | No numeric NTU limit in the construction general permit; narrative standard applies — discharges must not cause or contribute to violations of Massachusetts Surface Water Quality Standards (314 CMR 4) |