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Stormwater Directory

Arizona

Arizona Department of Environmental Quality

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Quick Summary

For most Arizona projects disturbing 1 acre or more, you need a state Construction General Permit and a SWPPP with BMPs tailored to arid desert conditions. The permit fee is $500–$750.

State-DelegatedVerified 2026-03

Construction Permit

Permit Document ↗
Permit Name
Arizona Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (AZPDES) Construction General Permit (CGP) — Permit No. AZG2025-001 (effective 2025, expires August 28, 2030)
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 a permit authorization number received before land disturbance begins; ADEQ typically processes NOIs within 5 business days. Existing permittees under AZG2020-001 must submit a new NOI — coverage does not automatically transfer.
Application Method
Online via ADEQ's myDEQ portal (azdeq.gov); paper NOI forms also accepted
Fee
$500 for sites disturbing ≥ 1 acre and < 5 acres; $750 for ≥ 5 acres; fee is per project
Permit Expires
August 28, 2030
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 and implemented before earth-disturbing activities begin. ADEQ provides a SWPPP template and the Arizona Construction BMP Manual. The SWPPP must be available on-site and presented to inspectors upon request. No PE stamp is required. The SWPPP must identify all potential pollutant sources and describe BMPs to be implemented.

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; in arid regions, inspection frequency may be adjusted if site conditions warrant
Rain Trigger
Within 24 hours of a storm event producing ≥ 0.5 inches of rainfall in a 24-hour period
Inspector Qualification
Inspections must be performed by a trained individual with knowledge of construction stormwater requirements. Arizona does not require a state-specific certification for inspectors. The permittee or a designated representative familiar with the SWPPP may conduct inspections.
Accepted Certifications
No state-specific cert required; inspector must be trained and knowledgeable; CPESC, CESSWI, CISEC accepted

Discharge Standards

Permit Document ↗
Turbidity Limit
No numeric NTU limit in the CGP; narrative water quality standard applies
Discharges must not cause or contribute to a violation of Arizona's surface water quality standards (A.A.C. R18-11). Because Arizona is an arid state, many construction projects do not generate stormwater runoff frequently, but monsoon season (July–September) creates intense rainfall events that require active BMP deployment. Sites near Arizona's ephemeral, intermittent, or perennial waters must implement enhanced BMPs.

Post-Construction

ADEQ ↗
Required
Yes
Post-construction stormwater management requirements are primarily implemented through local municipal ordinances for regulated MS4 communities (e.g., Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa). The AZPDES CGP requires permittees to establish vegetation or other permanent stabilization before filing a Notice of Termination (NOT). Local jurisdictions may require permanent retention/detention basins and Low Impact Development (LID) features.

Impaired Waterbody / TMDL Requirements

Standard Provisions

Arizona's AZPDES construction permit has standard provisions. No specific permit conditions are triggered by 303(d)-listed waters in the general permit text; standard stormwater BMPs apply. Projects in sensitive desert washes and riparian areas should consult ADEQ directly.

Program Contact

Contact Page ↗
Phone
(602) 771-1440

State-Specific Notes

Arizona's arid climate means construction sites may go weeks without rain, but the intense monsoon season (July–September) demands fully operational BMPs. ADEQ uses the AZPDES permit numbering system (not NPDES). AZG2025-001 replaced AZG2020-001 (which had replaced AZG2016-001); coverage under prior permits does not automatically transfer — a new NOI must be submitted via the myDEQ portal. The permit expires August 28, 2030. Projects on tribal lands may require coverage under EPA's federal CGP rather than the AZPDES permit.

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