California
State Water Resources Control Board
Quick Summary
California uses a tiered Risk Level system (1–3) based on project location and characteristics. Most projects over 1 acre need a Construction General Permit, a SWPPP developed by a certified QSD, and an on-site QSP for inspections. Risk Level 3 projects face the strictest requirements including a 10 NTU turbidity limit.
Construction Permit
Permit Document ↗- Permit Name
- Construction General Permit (Order 2009-0009-DWQ, as amended)
- Threshold
- ≥ 1 acre of land disturbance (or < 1 acre if part of a larger common plan)
- NOI Lead Time
- NOI must be filed and permit coverage obtained before grading/construction begins
- Application Method
- Online via Stormwater Multiple Application and Report Tracking System (SMARTS)
- Fee
- Annual fee based on acreage: < 5 acres = $900; 5–49 acres = $1,200; ≥ 50 acres = $2,200
- Permit Expires
- September 1, 2027
SWPPP Requirements
Permit Document ↗- SWPPP Required
- Yes
- PE Cert Required
- No
- Template Available
- Yes
Inspection Requirements
Permit Document ↗- Frequency
- Risk Level 1: Visual inspections every 24 hours during active rain. Risk Level 2–3: Rain Event Action Plans required; inspections during and after qualifying storms
- Rain Trigger
- Qualifying storm event (QSE) ≥ 0.5 inches: pre-storm inspection required before predicted QSE, during-storm, and within 48 hours after QSE ends; Risk Level 2/3 require Rain Event Action Plans
- Inspector Qualification
- Qualified SWPPP Practitioner (QSP) for Risk Level 2 and 3 sites; Qualified SWPPP Developer (QSD) must prepare the SWPPP
- Accepted Certifications
- Qualified SWPPP Practitioner (QSP) REQUIRED for all site inspections; Qualified SWPPP Developer (QSD) required for SWPPP preparation — both are mandatory state credentials (CASQA-administered)
Discharge Standards
Permit Document ↗- Turbidity Limit
- Risk Level 3 sites: effluent must meet 10 NTU turbidity limit at discharge point; Risk Level 2: 250 NTU; Risk Level 1: narrative standard
Post-Construction
SWRCB ↗- Required
- Yes
Impaired Waterbody / TMDL Requirements
Elevated RiskCalifornia's Construction General Permit (CGP, Order 2022-0057-DWQ) explicitly distinguishes requirements based on receiving water impairment status. Projects discharging to 303(d)-listed water bodies for sediment-related causes face Numeric Effluent Limits (NELs) rather than just Numeric Action Levels (NALs). Enhanced monitoring frequency, lower discharge benchmarks, and additional BMP documentation are required. Projects must verify applicable TMDLs and associated Waste Load Allocations through the SWRCB's Statewide TMDL viewer.
Program Contact
Contact Page ↗- Phone
- (866) 563-3107
State-Specific Notes
California's three-tier Risk Level system is unique among states and drives significantly different requirements for BMPs, monitoring, and reporting. Risk Level is determined by a rainfall erosivity factor and proximity to water bodies.
Local Jurisdictions
Additional city and county requirements beyond the state permit
City of Los Angeles
City
Submit to: City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS)
Detention: Required
Impervious limit: No citywide cap; however, LID Ordinance requires o…
City and County of San Francisco
City
Submit to: San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC)
Detention: Required
Impervious limit: No cap (dense urban environment); however, project…
City of San Diego
City
Submit to: City of San Diego Development Services Department (DSD)
Detention: Required
Impervious limit: No citywide cap; PDP threshold: projects creating …