Federal EPA Construction General Permit: inspection requirements
Rules last verified against the permit text on
- Rain trigger
- 0.25″ storm event
- Post-rain deadline
- Within 24 hours
- Routine inspections
- Every 7 or 14 days
- Permit
- 2022 Construction General Permit (CGP), as modified 2025
- Agency
- U.S. EPA (federal program)
Where the federal CGP applies
Most states run their own NPDES construction stormwater programs, but where a state has not been delegated authority, EPA's Construction General Permit applies directly. That covers New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New Mexico, the District of Columbia, most US territories, most tribal lands, and certain federal facilities in other states. The federal CGP is also the template most state permits are modeled on, so its 0.25″ trigger and 7/14-day cadence come up everywhere.
How the federal CGP works
Inspect every 7 days, or every 14 days plus within 24 hours of a storm of 0.25″ or more (snowmelt from 3.25″ of snow also triggers). If the rain falls on a non-work day, inspect on the next work day. The 2022 CGP (modified April 2025) expires February 16, 2027; EPA plans to propose the next CGP before then.
Inspector qualifications
A "qualified person" who has completed EPA's construction inspection training course and exam (or an equivalent training/certification program) per Part 6.3 of the CGP — required for projects covered on or after February 17, 2023.
Official sources
Common questions
What triggers a SWPPP inspection under the EPA Construction General Permit?
Under the 2022 Construction General Permit (CGP), as modified 2025, a storm event of 0.25 inches or more triggers a post-storm inspection, within 24 hours (non-work days typically extend to the next work day; check your permit). Routine inspections: every 7 or 14 days.
Where does the federal CGP apply?
EPA's CGP applies wherever EPA remains the NPDES permitting authority: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New Mexico, the District of Columbia, most US territories, most tribal lands, and certain federal facilities in other states. Everywhere else, the state runs its own construction general permit.
Who can perform SWPPP inspections under the federal CGP?
A "qualified person" who has completed EPA's construction inspection training course and exam (or an equivalent training/certification program) per Part 6.3 of the CGP — required for projects covered on or after February 17, 2023.
What are the penalties for SWPPP violations under the federal CGP?
Federal Clean Water Act civil penalties can reach $68,445 per day per violation, and EPA can issue administrative orders on top. Missing rain-triggered inspections is among the most commonly cited violations in stormwater audits.
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