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Stormwater Directory

Oregon

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality

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Quick Summary

For most Oregon projects disturbing 1 acre or more, you need a 1200-C Construction Stormwater Permit and a SWPPP. Inspectors must hold an active CESCL certification, and sites 5 acres or larger require PE involvement. Oregon uses separate wet-season and dry-season inspection schedules.

State-DelegatedVerified 2026-03

Construction Permit

Permit Document ↗
Permit Name
NPDES/WPCF General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activities (1200-C)
Threshold
≥ 1 acre of land disturbance, or < 1 acre if part of a larger common plan of development or sale that will ultimately disturb ≥ 1 acre; projects < 1 acre not part of a common plan are generally exempt from 1200-C
NOI Lead Time
A Notice of Intent (NOI) must be submitted to Oregon DEQ and permit coverage confirmed at least 7 days before land disturbance begins; projects with high erosion potential in sensitive basins may require earlier submission
Application Method
Online via Oregon DEQ's online permit portal (Oregon DEQ Permit Portal / ePermitting system); paper NOI also accepted by mail
Fee
$200 for sites < 5 acres; $400 for 5–19.99 acres; $600 for 20–49.99 acres; $800 for ≥ 50 acres; fees are one-time and based on project disturbance area
Permit Expires
December 14, 2030
Apply for Permit ↗

SWPPP Requirements

Permit Document ↗
SWPPP Required
Yes
PE Cert Required
No
Template Available
Yes
An Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (ESCP), which Oregon treats as equivalent to a SWPPP, must be developed and implemented prior to any land-disturbing activity. Oregon DEQ provides an ESCP template and 1200-C Permit Fact Sheet. For projects ≥ 5 acres, the ESCP must be prepared by or under the direction of a Registered Professional Engineer (PE), Oregon Licensed Landscape Architect, or other qualified professional. DEQ provides a model ESCP and BMP handbook. The plan must remain on site and be available to inspectors.

Inspection Requirements

Permit Document ↗
Frequency
Every 7 days during the wet season (October 1 through April 30) and within 48 hours of a storm event producing ≥ 0.5 inches of rainfall; every 14 days during the dry season (May 1 through September 30) and within 48 hours of a qualifying storm event. Inspection frequency may be reduced for stabilized areas.
Rain Trigger
Within 48 hours of a storm event producing ≥ 0.5 inches of precipitation, OR any storm event that causes a discharge from the site; wet-season (Oct–Apr) inspections required every 7 days
Inspector Qualification
No mandatory state certification under 1200-C; inspections must be conducted by a 'qualified person' knowledgeable in BMPs and the ESCP. However, for projects ≥ 5 acres, the responsible party for ESCP preparation must be a licensed PE, licensed landscape architect, or Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC). Inspector training and familiarity with the permit requirements are expected.
Accepted Certifications
CESCL (Certified Erosion and Sediment Control Lead) or Oregon-specific CESCL REQUIRED; meets 1200-C Erosion and Sediment Control Inspector (ESCI) requirement; WA CESCL (BMP C160) also accepted

Discharge Standards

Permit Document ↗
Turbidity Limit
Discharges must not cause or contribute to violations of Oregon water quality standards; no single numeric NTU effluent limit in 1200-C, but discharges to 303(d)-listed turbidity-impaired waters require enhanced BMPs
Oregon water quality standards (OAR 340-041) require that stormwater discharges not cause turbidity increases of more than 10% above natural background in most waters. Oregon 1200-C requires visual monitoring of discharges and receiving waters. If a discharge is causing visible discoloration or turbidity in the receiving water, BMPs must be upgraded immediately. Projects discharging to Oregon's Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW) or sensitive fishery streams (particularly salmon-bearing streams) face heightened conditions and may require additional monitoring.

Post-Construction

Oregon DEQ ↗
Required
Yes
Oregon 1200-C requires that post-construction stormwater management facilities be installed and stabilized before final termination. For projects in regulated MS4 jurisdictions, local post-construction stormwater management requirements apply per Oregon's Phase II MS4 rules (OAR 340-041). Oregon DEQ's Stormwater Management Manual for Western Oregon provides design standards for post-construction controls. Eastern Oregon projects may have different requirements based on precipitation patterns.

Impaired Waterbody / TMDL Requirements

Elevated Risk

Oregon DEQ's 1200-C General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Construction Activity includes provisions for projects in watershed areas subject to approved TMDLs. Projects may be required to implement additional erosion and sediment controls consistent with applicable TMDL wasteload allocations. Projects discharging to Sensitive Aquatic Management Areas (SAMAs) — which include many impaired streams — face enhanced requirements. Check Oregon's water quality portal and TMDL database before project design.

Program Contact

Contact Page ↗
Phone
(503) 229-5696

State-Specific Notes

Oregon's 1200-C permit is one of the more prescriptive state construction stormwater programs. The permit distinguishes between wet and dry seasons with different inspection schedules, reflecting Oregon's strongly seasonal precipitation climate. Projects within the Urban Growth Boundary of a regulated MS4 must also comply with local stormwater management ordinances. Oregon requires a Notice of Termination (NOT) be filed after final stabilization. The 1200-C is periodically reissued (most recently updated in 2022). Oregon also administers a separate General Permit (1200-COLS) specifically for construction in the Columbia Slough area of Portland.

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