SW

Stormwater Directory

North Dakota

North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality

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Quick Summary

For most North Dakota projects disturbing 1 acre or more, you need an NDR10 Construction General Permit and a SWPPP. No permit fee is required, and NOIs are still processed on paper.

This summary may repeat a value the official source disagrees with (application method). See the flagged field below.

State-DelegatedVerified 2026-031 field conflict with the source

Construction Permit

Permit Document ↗
Permit Name
NPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Construction Activity (Permit No. NDR10-0000)
Threshold
≥ 1 acre of total land disturbance, or < 1 acre if part of a larger common plan of development or sale that will ultimately disturb ≥ 1 acre. Linear projects (pipelines, roads) use total disturbance area for threshold calculation.
NOI Lead Time
A Notice of Intent (NOI) must be submitted to NDDEQ and acknowledged at least 7 days before land disturbance begins. NDDEQ provides written confirmation of permit coverage. Operators should allow additional time for NDDEQ review of complete NOIs, though the 7-day lead time is the regulatory minimum.
Application Method
Paper NOI submission mailed or hand-delivered to NDDEQ Division of Water Quality in Bismarck, ND. As of 2024–2025, NDDEQ does not have a dedicated online e-permitting portal for stormwater NOIs; submission is primarily paper-based. The NOI form is available for download on the NDDEQ website.

The agency's own page appears to have newer information for Application Method than the value shown above. Both are below — treat the source as more likely current, and confirm with the agency.

This directory publishes
Paper NOI submission mailed or hand-delivered to NDDEQ Division of Water Quality in Bismarck, ND. As of 2024–2025, NDDEQ does not have a dedicated online e-permitting portal for stormwater NOIs; submission is primarily paper-based.
The official source indicates
The source states NOIs are submitted through CERIS-ND, an online permit management system, and that paper forms are no longer maintained and only available upon request.
“Submit a Notice of Intent through the Combined Environmental Regulatory Information System – North Dakota (CERIS-ND) at least seven days before construction starts.”
Read the source document →Our automated check leaned toward the source document.Flagged 2026-10-01
Fee
No permit fee for NPDES construction general permit coverage under NDR10-0000. North Dakota does not charge an NOI application fee for the stormwater construction general permit.
Permit Expires
July 31, 2027
Apply for Permit ↗

SWPPP Requirements

Permit Document ↗
SWPPP Required
Yes
PE Cert Required
No
Template Available
Yes
A SWPPP is required for all sites seeking general permit coverage. NDDEQ does not require a licensed PE to prepare or certify the SWPPP. The operator must sign and certify the SWPPP. NDDEQ provides a SWPPP template and BMP guidance documents. The SWPPP must be maintained on-site during active construction. ND's flat, prairie terrain means drainage and ponding patterns can be highly site-specific; the SWPPP must address local drainage conditions including prairie potholes and wetlands.

Inspection Requirements

Permit Document ↗
Frequency
At least every 7 days and within 24 hours of a precipitation event producing ≥ 0.5 inches of rainfall. During periods of extended frozen ground with no land disturbance, inspection frequency may be reduced. Written inspection reports must be retained as part of the SWPPP documentation.
Rain Trigger
Within 24 hours of a precipitation event producing ≥ 0.5 inches of rainfall
Inspector Qualification
No state-specific certification is required by the NDR10-0000 general permit. Inspectors must be qualified individuals knowledgeable in the design, installation, and maintenance of stormwater BMPs. NDDEQ does not currently administer or require a state-issued inspector credential. Industry certifications such as CPESC (Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control) are recognized as evidence of qualification but are not mandated.
Accepted Certifications
No state-specific cert required; inspector must be a 'qualified individual' knowledgeable in BMP design, installation, and maintenance; CPESC, CESSWI, CISEC accepted

Discharge Standards

Permit Document ↗
Turbidity Limit
No numeric NTU turbidity limit specified in NDR10-0000; narrative water quality standards apply.
Discharges must comply with North Dakota Water Quality Standards (N.D. Admin. Code ch. 33.1-16-02). The narrative standard prohibits discharges that cause or contribute to violations of applicable water quality standards or impair designated uses. No site-specific NTU limit is embedded in the construction general permit. Prairie potholes and wetlands in North Dakota serve as de facto stormwater retention features and are jurisdictionally sensitive; discharges to or near these features require particular BMP attention.

Post-Construction

NDDEQ ↗
Required
Yes
Post-construction stormwater management requirements apply in NPDES Phase II MS4-regulated communities in North Dakota, primarily Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, and Minot. These MS4 permittees must adopt and enforce post-construction stormwater management programs. Outside of regulated MS4 areas, state-level post-construction requirements are minimal; the general permit requires final stabilization of disturbed areas before permit termination. ND's predominantly agricultural landscape means many construction projects outside urban areas face no municipal post-construction requirements beyond those in the state permit.

Impaired Waterbody / TMDL Requirements

Standard Provisions

North Dakota construction stormwater permit has standard provisions. No specific heightened requirements are triggered by proximity to 303(d)-listed impaired waters in the general permit; standard erosion and sediment controls apply. North Dakota has limited construction stormwater enforcement activity relative to many states.

Program Contact

Contact Page ↗
Phone
(701) 328-5150
Email
deq@nd.gov

State-Specific Notes

North Dakota received NPDES delegation from EPA and administers the program through NDDEQ's Division of Water Quality. The state's program closely mirrors the EPA Construction General Permit structure. A notable feature of ND's landscape is the prevalence of prairie potholes (isolated wetlands) and ephemeral drainages throughout the state; these features are jurisdictionally complex under federal Section 404 and state law, and construction near them requires careful BMP planning. ND experiences significant freeze-thaw cycles that affect soil stabilization and erosion control — SWPPP seasonal considerations are important. The state has no permit fee for general permit coverage, which is unusual. Oil and gas-related construction (Bakken region) often triggers additional NDDEQ surface disturbance and environmental review requirements beyond the standard construction stormwater permit.

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