SW

Stormwater Directory

Michigan

Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

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Quick Summary

For most Michigan projects disturbing 1 acre or more, you need both a state NPDES Construction Stormwater permit and a separate Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control permit under Part 91. All filings go through the MiWaters online portal.

State-DelegatedVerified 2026-03

Construction Permit

Permit Document ↗
Permit Name
NPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activities (Permit No. MIG010000)
Threshold
≥ 1 acre of land disturbance (or < 1 acre if part of a larger common plan of development or sale); Michigan also requires permit coverage for any activity that discharges to a water of the state with potential to cause or contribute to a water quality violation
NOI Lead Time
Notice of Intent (NOI) must be submitted to EGLE and authorization must be received before any land disturbance begins; EGLE provides authorization automatically upon receipt of a complete, valid NOI (the general permit is self-implementing after NOI submittal); applicants are advised to submit at least 14 days before construction start
Application Method
Online via Michigan EGLE's MiWaters online permitting system (miwaters.deq.michigan.gov); this is EGLE's primary electronic permitting platform for all NPDES permits; paper NOI forms are available as an alternative
Fee
$400 for projects disturbing 1–4.99 acres; $600 for 5–9.99 acres; $800 for 10–24.99 acres; $1,000 for ≥ 25 acres; fees are paid electronically through MiWaters at time of NOI submission
Permit Expires
April 1, 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 developed prior to submitting the NOI and must be on-site and available for review by EGLE or any local authority. EGLE provides a SWPPP template and a detailed SWPPP guidance manual. A PE stamp is not required by the general permit for the SWPPP itself, but a PE may be required under separate state law for certain grading or engineering aspects of the project. The SWPPP must be signed by a responsible corporate officer or authorized representative.

Inspection Requirements

Permit Document ↗
Frequency
Every 7 days and within 24 hours after any storm event that produces ≥ 0.5 inches of rainfall in a 24-hour period; reduced to every 14 days for areas that have achieved temporary or permanent stabilization; post-storm inspections must document discharge points and BMPs
Rain Trigger
Within 24 hours of a storm event producing ≥ 0.5 inches of rainfall in a 24-hour period
Inspector Qualification
Michigan requires that construction site inspections be performed by a Qualified Operator — defined as a person who has operational responsibility for stormwater discharges at the site and who has completed EGLE's construction stormwater training or equivalent; EGLE offers online training modules; no state professional license is required, but the Michigan SESC Act (Part 91) requires local Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control (SESC) permits, and local inspectors (often county drain commissioners) enforce SESC separately
Accepted Certifications
EGLE-approved training REQUIRED ('Qualified Operator'); CESSWI, CPESC accepted; Michigan Part 91 SESC permit may require separate county-level inspector qualification

Discharge Standards

Permit Document ↗
Turbidity Limit
No numeric NTU limit specified in the construction general permit MIG010000; narrative standard requires discharges not to cause or contribute to violations of Michigan's Water Quality Standards (Part 4, Act 451)
Michigan Water Quality Standards prohibit any discharge that causes measurable changes in turbidity, color, or other water quality parameters from baseline in waters classified as outstanding state resource waters (OSRWs) or outstanding national resource waters (ONRWs). Visual monitoring at discharge points is required at every inspection. Sites discharging to impaired water bodies listed on Michigan's 303(d) list may be ineligible for general permit coverage and may require an individual NPDES permit.

Post-Construction

EGLE ↗
Required
Yes
Michigan's post-construction stormwater requirements are established under Part 31 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) and implemented through MS4 permits. MS4-regulated communities must adopt ordinances requiring post-construction stormwater management for new development and redevelopment. Michigan has a statewide Stormwater, Erosion, and Sedimentation Control (SESC) program (Part 91, NREPA) that governs construction-phase erosion control but post-construction BMPs are locally driven. Wetland impacts require separate permits under Part 303 (Wetlands Protection).

Impaired Waterbody / TMDL Requirements

Standard Provisions

Michigan EGLE's NPDES construction stormwater permit has standard provisions for most projects. Some enhanced requirements apply for projects in Critical Dunelands areas and near certain inland lakes. While Michigan has many 303(d)-listed waters, the construction general permit does not systematically impose heightened conditions solely based on impaired water proximity; site-specific conditions may be imposed through individual permits.

Program Contact

Contact Page ↗
Phone
800-662-9278

State-Specific Notes

Michigan has a dual-track construction stormwater system: the NPDES General Permit (MIG010000) issued by EGLE covers federal water quality requirements, while the state Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control (SESC) permit under Part 91 of NREPA is administered by local county drain commissioners or road commissions and covers state erosion control requirements. Both permits are required for most land-disturbing activities ≥ 1 acre. Michigan's MiWaters system is well-developed for online permit management. The Great Lakes shoreline and numerous inland lakes create additional sensitive receptor considerations — sites within 500 feet of the Great Lakes or their connecting waters may face enhanced requirements.

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