Compare Regulations
Compare state-level permit requirements side-by-side (up to 4 states)
NH(3 more)
Rows with an amber indicator differ across selected states.
| Field | NH New Hampshire |
|---|---|
| NPDES Program | State-Delegated |
| Permitting Agency | New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) |
| Permit Name | Alteration of Terrain (AOT) General Permit / NPDES Stormwater General Permit for Construction Activity (NHR10) |
| Construction Threshold | ≥ 1 acre of land disturbance; also applies to sites < 1 acre that are part of a larger common plan of development. Separately, NH RSA 485-A:17 (Alteration of Terrain) requires permit for disturbing ≥ 50,000 sq ft (≈1.15 acres) or within 250 ft of a surface water. |
| NOI Lead Time | NOI must be submitted and NHDES authorization received before any land disturbance begins. NHDES targets a 30-day review window, but no fixed statutory lead time is specified for the general permit; authorization is typically granted within 10–30 days of a complete NOI. |
| Application Method | Online via NHDES OneStop portal (nhdes.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer) or paper NOI submitted to NHDES Water Division, Concord, NH. The Alteration of Terrain permit application (Application for Permit to Operate) is filed through the same NHDES OneStop system. |
| Permit Fee | AOT/construction stormwater: $200 base fee for sites 1–5 acres; $400 for sites > 5 acres. Fees are set under RSA 21-O:14. Additional annual fees may apply for multi-year projects. |
| SWPPP Required | Yes |
| PE Certification Required | No |
| SWPPP Template Available | Yes |
| Inspection Frequency | At least every 7 days and within 24 hours of a precipitation event of ≥ 0.5 inches. Inspections must be documented on inspection report forms. Frequency may be reduced to every 14 days during periods of drought or frozen, stable ground cover. |
| Inspector Qualification | No state-specific certification is required by the general permit, but inspectors must be knowledgeable in the principles and practice of erosion and sediment controls. NHDES recommends familiarity with the NH Stormwater Management Handbook. Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC) or similar credentials are recognized but not mandated. |
| Post-Construction Required | Yes |
| Turbidity Standard | No numeric NTU limit specified in the construction general permit; narrative standard applies. |