New York
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Quick Summary
For most New York projects disturbing 1 acre or more, you need a SPDES Construction General Permit filed online through the state eNOI system. Sites 5 acres or larger require a licensed PE to sign the SWPPP. The flat permit fee of $2,250 is the highest in the country.
Construction Permit
Permit Document ↗- Permit Name
- SPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activity (GP-0-25-001)
- Threshold
- ≥ 1 acre of land disturbance (or < 1 acre if part of a larger common plan). NYC East of Hudson watershed: ≥ 5,000 sq ft. City of New York municipal boundaries: ≥ 20,000 sq ft.
- NOI Lead Time
- Electronic NOI (eNOI) required; NYSDEC issues a Letter of Authorization (LOA) specifying the authorized construction start date
- Application Method
- Online via NYSDEC's eDEC system — electronic eNOI submission now mandatory (paper no longer accepted)
- Fee
- $2,250 flat fee for most projects (one of the higher fees nationally)
- Permit Expires
- January 28, 2030
SWPPP Requirements
Permit Document ↗- SWPPP Required
- Yes
- PE Cert Required
- Yes
- Template Available
- Yes
Inspection Requirements
Permit Document ↗- Frequency
- Every 7 days and within 24 hours of a storm event producing ≥ 0.5 inches of rainfall (or ≥ 0.25 inches if site is near a 303(d) listed water body)
- Rain Trigger
- Within 24 hours of a storm event producing ≥ 0.5 inches of rainfall (≥ 0.25 inches if site drains to a 303(d) impaired water body)
- Inspector Qualification
- Trained Contractor (TC) for routine inspections; Qualified Inspector (QI) for sites ≥ 5 acres or near sensitive water bodies. QI certification required through NYSDEC-approved training.
- Accepted Certifications
- NYS DEC-approved erosion and sediment control training REQUIRED; CPESC, CESSWI explicitly listed as qualifying credentials in the SPDES CGP
Discharge Standards
Permit Document ↗- Turbidity Limit
- Not specified as a numeric standard; discharges must not cause or contribute to violations of water quality standards. Turbidity benchmarks apply for sites near 303(d)-listed waters.
Post-Construction
NYSDEC ↗- Required
- Yes
Impaired Waterbody / TMDL Requirements
Elevated RiskNew York's SPDES Construction Activity Permit (GP-0-20-001) includes specific provisions for projects near water bodies listed on the CWA 303(d) impaired waters list. Projects that discharge to impaired waters must implement additional BMPs consistent with any applicable TMDL wasteload allocations. Projects within New York City's primary watershed (Catskill/Delaware) face the most stringent requirements in the state. Check DEC's Waterbody Inventory/Priority Waterbodies List before permitting.
Program Contact
Contact Page ↗- Phone
- (518) 402-8111
State-Specific Notes
New York's SPDES permit is state-specific (not NPDES) but federally equivalent. GP-0-25-001 took effect January 29, 2025, replacing GP-0-20-001. Key changes under the new permit: electronic eNOI submission via eDEC is now mandatory (paper no longer accepted); NYSDEC issues a Letter of Authorization (LOA) specifying the authorized construction start date; lower disturbance thresholds apply within the NYC East of Hudson watershed (≥ 5,000 sq ft) and within NYC municipal boundaries (≥ 20,000 sq ft). The $2,250 flat fee is among the highest in the country. NYC and surrounding counties may have additional local stormwater requirements. Operators who had coverage under GP-0-20-001 must obtain new authorization under GP-0-25-001 — coverage does not automatically transfer.
Local Jurisdictions
Additional city and county requirements beyond the state permit
City of New York
City
Submit to: NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) / NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
Detention: Required
Impervious limit: No citywide cap; however, NYC stormwater managemen…
City of Buffalo
City
Submit to: City of Buffalo Permits & Inspection Services / Buffalo Sewer Authority (BSA)
Detention: Required
Impervious limit: No citywide cap; BSA requires green infrastructure…
City of Yonkers
City
Submit to: City of Yonkers Department of Housing and Buildings / Engineering Department
Detention: Required
Impervious limit: No citywide cap; post-construction stormwater mana…