New York SWPPP inspection requirements

The short version
Rain trigger
0.5″ storm event
Post-rain deadline
Within 24 hours
Routine inspections
Every 7 days
Permit
SPDES General Permit GP-0-25-001
Agency
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)

How New York handles construction stormwater

Construction sites in New York disturbing one acre or more need coverage under the SPDES General Permit GP-0-25-001, administered by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Weekly inspections by a qualified inspector, plus within 24 hours of a 0.5″ storm. Sites over 5 disturbed acres require two inspections per week under some phases.

Inspector qualifications

A qualified inspector: a licensed professional or someone with 4-hour NYSDEC-endorsed erosion and sediment control training.

Official sources

Common questions

What triggers a SWPPP inspection in New York?

Under the SPDES General Permit GP-0-25-001, a storm event of 0.5 inches or more triggers a post-storm inspection, generally due within 24 hours (non-work days typically extend to the next work day; check your permit). Routine inspections run every 7 days.

Who can perform SWPPP inspections in New York?

A qualified inspector: a licensed professional or someone with 4-hour NYSDEC-endorsed erosion and sediment control training.

Who administers the construction stormwater program in New York?

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) administers the NPDES construction stormwater program in New York under the SPDES General Permit GP-0-25-001.

What are the penalties for SWPPP violations in New York?

Federal Clean Water Act civil penalties can reach $68,445 per day per violation, and NYSDEC can issue administrative orders and state penalties on top. Missing rain-triggered inspections is among the most commonly cited violations in stormwater audits.

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