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Stormwater Directory

Alabama

Alabama Department of Environmental Management

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Quick Summary

For most Alabama projects disturbing 1 acre or more, you need an ALR100000 Construction General Permit and a SWPPP. There is no state permit fee, and the program is relatively streamlined compared to neighboring states.

This summary may repeat values the official source disagrees with (fee, expiration date). See the flagged fields below.

State-DelegatedVerified 2026-032 fields conflict with the source

Construction Permit

Permit Document ↗
Permit Name
NPDES General Permit ALR100000 (Construction General Permit)
Threshold
≥ 1 acre of land disturbance, or < 1 acre if part of a larger common plan of development or sale
NOI Lead Time
NOI must be submitted and permit coverage obtained at least 2 days before construction activity begins
Application Method
Paper NOI submission to ADEM Water Division; online submission available through ADEM e-Portal for some permit types
Fee
$0 — Alabama does not charge a permit fee for the construction general permit NOI
Permit Expires
September 30, 2028
Apply for Permit ↗

SWPPP Requirements

Permit Document ↗
SWPPP Required
Yes
PE Cert Required
No
Template Available
Yes
A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) must be prepared prior to submitting the NOI and must be kept on-site. ADEM provides a SWPPP template/guidance document. The SWPPP must be signed by a responsible corporate officer or authorized representative. No PE stamp is required, but the plan must be developed by a qualified person.

Inspection Requirements

Permit Document ↗
Frequency
At least every 14 calendar days and within 24 hours of a storm event that produces 0.5 inches or more of rainfall at the site
Rain Trigger
Within 24 hours of a storm event producing ≥ 0.5 inches of rainfall
Inspector Qualification
Inspections must be performed by a qualified person with construction stormwater knowledge; Alabama does not have a state-specific inspector certification program, but the inspector must be familiar with BMPs and the SWPPP
Accepted Certifications
No state-specific cert required; CPESC, CESSWI, CISEC accepted as evidence of qualification

Discharge Standards

Permit Document ↗
Turbidity Limit
No numeric NTU limit in the construction general permit; narrative water quality standard applies
Discharges must not cause or contribute to a violation of Alabama water quality standards. The permit requires BMPs to minimize sediment and turbidity. Discharges to impaired water bodies (303(d) listed) may trigger additional effluent limitations or require an individual permit.

Post-Construction

ADEM ↗
Required
Yes
Post-construction stormwater management is required for regulated MS4 communities under Phase I and Phase II rules. Individual construction permit coverage ends upon site stabilization and Notice of Termination (NOT) filing. Long-term stormwater management BMPs are typically addressed through local MS4 ordinances.

Impaired Waterbody / TMDL Requirements

Standard Provisions

Alabama's construction stormwater general permit has standard provisions. No specific permit conditions are triggered by proximity to 303(d)-listed impaired waters in the general permit; standard BMP requirements apply statewide.

Program Contact

Contact Page ↗
Phone
(334) 394-4372
Email
cswmail@adem.alabama.gov

State-Specific Notes

Alabama has a $0 permit fee for construction stormwater, which is notable among southeastern states. The NOI must include a signed certification and the SWPPP must reference ADEM-approved BMPs. Sites within sensitive watersheds or near Outstanding Alabama Waters may face enhanced review. ADEM issues permit coverage typically within a few business days of a complete NOI submission.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for general reference only and may not reflect the most current regulatory requirements. Always consult the ADEM website and applicable regulations before beginning any construction activity.