Arizona
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
State-DelegatedVerified 2025-01
Construction Permit
- Permit Name
- Arizona Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (AZPDES) Construction General Permit (CGP) — Permit No. AZG2016-001 (reissued 2016, active)
- 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
- Application Method
- Online via ADEQ's AZPDES e-Permitting System (ePermitting portal at 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
SWPPP Requirements
- 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
- 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
- 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.
Discharge Standards
- 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
- 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.
Official Resources
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). The CGP permit number AZG2016-001 has been in effect since 2016 and was administratively extended; ADEQ issued a draft renewal that was under review. Operators should verify whether a new permit has been issued. 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.