Construction Stormwater Permit
The final 2026 Tennessee NPDES General Permit for Discharges of Stormwater Associated with Construction Activities (CGP) has been issued.
**Update**
October 1, 2026 – Effective Date
September 30, 2031 - Expiration Date
IMPORTANT: Links to new forms and updates to existing forms required for compliance with the 2026 permit will be available on or around October 1, 2026.
We appreciate your patience while we update this page.
Who Needs An NPDES Stormwater Construction Permit?
Operators of construction sites involving clearing, grading or excavation that result in an area of disturbance of one or more acres, and activities that result in the disturbance of less than one acre if it is part of a larger common plan of development or sale. Please note this rule applies to construction activities begun before March 10, 2003, if one or more acres will be disturbed on or after March 10, 2003.
Permitted activities have included housing subdivisions, commercial and industrial buildings, golf courses, utility lines, sewage treatment plants, and roads. Various land clearing activities such as borrow pits for fill material have also been covered under this general permit.
What Information Must I Provide?
To obtain permit coverage Primary Operators must:
a) Prepare a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) in accordance with Part 5 of the permit.
b) Submit a complete NOI form, site map , SWPPP (If the primary operator is seeking coverage under Rule 0400-40-11-.02(2)(a)2.(vi)), they may choose to sign the site-wide SWPPP or submit a separate SWPPP) , and fee electronically via the online reporting system, MyTDEC Forms.
To obtain permit coverage Secondary Operators must:
a) Sign the primary operator’s NOI form; or
b) Submit a separate Secondary Operator NOI via the online reporting system, MyTDEC Forms indicating their intent to be added to the existing activity covered site as a secondary operator.
To obtain additional information regarding MyTDEC, please visit NetDMR and Electronic Reporting.
To obtain additional information regarding MyTDEC Form User Guides, please visit MyTDEC Forms User Guides.
Forms
IMPORTANT: Links to new forms and updates to existing forms required for compliance with the 2026 permit will be available on or around October 1, 2026.
| Permit / Form Description | Form Link |
|---|---|
| 2026 CGP & Associated Documents | Dataviewer |
| CGP Primary Operator Notice of Intent (NOI) or Application | NOI (Primary Operator) |
| CGP Primary Operator Request for Termination (RFT) | RFT (Primary Operator) |
| CGP Secondary Operator Notice of Intent (NOI) | NOI (Secondary Operator) |
| CGP Secondary Operator Request for Termination (RFT) | RFT (Secondary Operator) |
| Minor Acreage Addition to Existing CGP Coverage | Minor Acreage Addition |
| NOI for Primary Operators seeking coverage under an actively covered larger common plan of development or sale | NOI (Primary Operators -under existing Active coverage) |
| Authorizations and Contact Update Form for NPDES and SOP Permits | Contact Update Form |
How Will My Application Be Processed?
Upon receipt of a complete NOI, the Division will issue a Notice of Coverage to the primary Operator(s).
Secondary Operators may print an updated Notice of Coverage from the DataViewer.
What Fees Are Required?
Effective July 1, 2014, permit fees for the CGP have been revised. In addition to the application fee, annual maintenance fees are required for projects that exceed one year. The permit application fee should be paid electronically when submitting the NOI application form.
The permit application fee range is as follows:
| CGP Fee Per Acres of Project | Fee |
|---|---|
| Project equal to or greater than 150 acres | $10,000 |
| Project equal to or greater than 50 acres and less than 150 acres | $6,000 |
| Project equal to or greater than 20 acres and less than 50 acres | $3,000 |
| Project equal to or greater than 5 acres and less than 20 acres | $1,000 |
| Project equal to or greater than 1 acres and less than 5 acres | $250 |
| Seeking subsequent coverage under an actively covered larger common plan of development or sale under fee Rule 0400-40-11-.02(2)(a)2.(vi)), | $100 |
The permit annual maintenance fee range is as follows:
| CGP Activities that Exceed One Year Under General Permit Coverage | Fee |
|---|---|
| Project equal to or greater than 150 acres | $3,750 |
| Project equal to or greater than 50 acres and less than 150 acres | $2,000 |
| Project equal to or greater than 20 acres and less than 50 acres | $1,000 |
| Project equal to or greater than 5 acres and less than 20 acres | $500 |
| Project equal to or greater than 1 acres and less than 5 acres | $125 |
What Are My Rights And Responsibilities After The Permit Is Issued?
Operator(s) who have submitted an NOI and received permit coverage has the duty to comply with all provisions of the general permit, statutes, and regulations. Coverage under the general permit does not relieve the permittee of the responsibility for damages to surface or ground water. The permittee must maintain records of checks and repairs on site or at a nearby office. These records must be maintained in accordance to the permit. The operator must notify the Division of any changes to their NOI information. The NOI is not transferable and new owners must submit a new NOI. If the operation experiences any emergency that could impact the waters of the state, they must notify the Division as detailed in the regulations.
What Are The Division's Rights And Responsibilities After The Permit Is Issued?
The Division and other authorized representatives of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have the right to inspect the site and associated records at reasonable times. They also have the right to sample discharge of pollutants. The Division may terminate permit coverage for any operator who violates the state statutes, departmental regulations, or terms of the general permit. Any person who violates or fails to comply with the state statutes, rules, or regulations may be subject to civil and/or criminal penalties.
Permitted Sites
Use the Water Resources Permits Data Viewer to view details about the following.
- List of Permitted Construction Sites, Statewide
- Permit File
- Print an updated Notice of Coverage
Use the TDEC FileNet Viewer to view the completed submittal packages that were received through MyTDEC Forms.
Contacts:
For technical assistance & MyTDEC Forms contact the closest Environmental Field Office
For billing and Invoices contact DWR.CustomerSupport@tn.gov
For NetDMR assistance contact DWRWater.Compliance@tn.gov
Additional Related Information:
- Desktop Review of Water Resources (This video introduces Tennessee legal definitions of streams and wetlands and showcases tools anyone can use for a desktop review of stream and wetland indicators.)
- CGP Map Viewer
- Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control Handbook
- EPA Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan SWPPP Guide
- Tennessee Construction General Permit Inspector Training (video of training offered by TDEC for inspectors of sites permitted under the General Permit for Discharges of Stormwater Associated with Construction Activities.
