Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

DEEP headquarters at 79 Elm Street in Hartford is currently closed due to recent water damage impacting multiple areas of the building. We are working to remediate the situation and get the building back open to staff and the public as soon as possible. While the building is closed, Staff continue to work either remotely or in alternate locations. We continue to be able to receive documents via U.S. Mail or courier service, and our electronic file submittal protocols remain unchanged. For updates, please click here

Construction Stormwater General Permit

The General Permit for the Discharge of Stormwater from Construction Activities ("Construction Stormwater General Permit") requires developers and builders to implement a Stormwater Pollution Control Plan (SPCP) to prevent the movement of sediments off construction sites into nearby water bodies and to address the impacts of stormwater discharges from a project after construction is complete.

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Construction Stormwater General Permit Document

**The Construction Stormwater General Permit was issued on January 1, 2026**
**Registration Opens January 1, 2026

Tip: The permit includes Smart Navigation - integrated smart links for fast and seamless navigation. One-click access to key sections.

Construction Stormwater General Permit

Appendices

Construction Stormwater Fact Sheet

Construction Stormwater General Permit - Response to Comments 

Construction Stormwater General Permit FAQs (Coming Soon)

Registration Timeline and Deadlines

Registration Deadlines for Existing Permittees & Sites

  • Existing Permittees: Sites covered under the previous permit are required to apply by April 1, 2026 or submit a Notice of Termination
  • Interim permit coverage is provided by the Agency provided a complete & timely application is received
Construction Activity Permit Requirements Overview

Certain construction activities may require authorization under the Construction Stormwater General Permit, depending on project size, who is conducting the work, and whether local (municipal) approval applies. An emergency exception is also available for urgent situations.

Project Category

Disturbance Area

Who is Responsible?

Local (Municipal) Approval Required?

State General Permit Application Required?

 Stormwater Pollution Control Plan (SPCP) Required? 

Emergency Construction Activity Exception

Any Size

Any entity

No

No-Authorization is immediate to prevent danger or restore essential services

 No

Locally Approvable Small Construction

≥ 1 acre and

< 5 acres

Private/Non-governmental

Yes - reviewed by Planning & Zoning, Wetlands, or Conservation Commission

No - Local approval satisfies state permit requirements

 Yes - local Erosion & Sediment Control Plan only

Locally Approvable Large Construction

≥ 5 acres

Private/Non-governmental

Yes - municipal approval required

Yes

 Yes - Prepared by a Qualified Professional and certified by a Qualified Professional or Soil Conservation District

Locally Exempt Construction

≥ 1 acre

Municipal, State, or Federal entity

No - typically not subject to local review

Yes

 Yes - prepared by a Qualified Professional
Notes:
  • Connecticut DEEP recognizes municipal erosion and sediment control programs as qualifying local programs for small construction projects (1–5 acres).
  • Projects conducted by state or federal agencies, or where the municipality is the permittee, are generally considered Locally Exempt and must apply directly to CT DEEP.
  • All required SPCPs must comply with the terms and conditions of the Construction Stormwater General Permit.

Registration Process & How to Apply

Starting January 1, 2026, you can register online using the enhanced 'ezFile' system!
Get started today!  Click the link below to access the 'ezFile Portal' online and submit your application
in just a few easy steps.

Submit an Application ezFile Online Application Portal
Explore the Application User Guide provided in the ‘Application Resource’ section below for a
complete, step-by-step process.

How to get Covered: Step-by-Step
  1. Determine Eligibility
  2. Develop a Stormwater Pollution Control Plan - Document site conditions, pollutant sources, BMPs, monitoring points, and outfalls
  3. Prepare and submit the Application - Includes site information, receiving water, and certifications
  4. Implement Permit Conditions - Follow permit conditions, sampling and inspection schedules
Need Assistance with ezFile:

For support with ezFile, please visit the DEEP Help Site

or contact the DEEP Help Desk by email at DEEP.helpdesk.footprints@ct.gov

Important Information:
  • The Stormwater Program Team is available to address technical questions related to the information required by the permit. They do not provide IT support and are unable to assist with account, login, or system-related issues. To ensure timely assistance for both you and the community, please contact the appropriate support team for IT-related inquiries.
  • For issues concerning account setup, access, or login, please contact the dedicated IT Support Team.
    Business Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (EST), excluding state holidays.
    Due to anticipated high volume of inquiries, responses may take up to 2–3 business days. Your patience is appreciated.

Application Information

Fees:

Project Type

Disturbance Size

Fee

Existing Permittee (Renewal)

Previously authorized under prior general permit

$1,250

New Locally Approvable Project

Any Size

$1,250

New Locally Approvable Project (State Agency)

Any Size

$1,250

New Locally Exempt Project

1 acre to < 20 acres

$3,000

New Locally Exempt Project

20 acres to < 50 acres

$4,000

New Locally Exempt Project

50 acres or more

$5,000 
Notes:
  • Municipalities are charged 50% of the fees listed above.
  • State and federal agencies must pay the full applicable fee.
  • Fees are non-refundable
Before you apply, you will need the following information:
  • Owner, applicant, and qualified professional details
  • Site location, design, and discharge information
  • Receiving water body information
  • NDDB and Coastal Consistency reviews
  • All discharge points
Application Resources

What to Expect
  • It will take either 60 or 90 days to process the application depending on type of application
  • Incomplete applications will result in processing delays or rejections
  • DEEP expects a high volume of permits in the first few months of the permit term that may lead to delays in processing time
  • You will receive a Notice of Coverage from DEEP confirming permit coverage 
Notice of Change
  • Submission of a Notice of Change (NOC) is required if there are certain proposed changes
  • Notice of Change Form 

Notice of Termination

  • A Notice of Termination (NOT) must be submitted to the Commissioner using the prescribed form when any of the following occur:
    • Construction is complete
    • A change of Permittee has been approved
    • State or federal design-build projects transition from Site Preparation Permit to Final Design Permit
    • Solar Array Projects (see Appendix I for additional requirements) 
Standard Termination - Construction Complete
Termination Due to Change of Permittee
  • When a project is transferred to a new Permittee:
  • The original Permittee must submit a NOT within 30 days of the new authorization
  • Notice of Change Form 
Termination of Site Preparation Permit (State/Federal Projects)
  • For design-build projects with a Site Preparation Permit:
    • Submit a NOT after approval of the Final Design Permit 

Permit Requirements

Stormwater Pollution Control Plan (SPCP)

  • SPCP Basics: A SPCP is a site-specific living plan developed to identify stormwater pollution risks and outline BMPs and control measures.
  • DEEP's new SPCP Template makes it easier than ever to save time, cut costs, and get quick approval. Click here to download:
Noncompliance Reporting
  • Stormwater Noncompliance Reporting assistance tools are available online here: CT DEEP Compliance Assistance
  • Visit the new Compliance Assistance webpage (Coming Soon!)
Turbidity Monitoring (Coming Soon!)
  • How Do I Conduct Turbidity Monitoring at My Site?
    • This guide assists operators in complying with the turbidity monitoring requirements. The guide provides information on how to correctly monitor for turbidity and how to proceed with corrective action, as well as how to comply with the permit’s dewatering inspection requirements. 

Resources and Contact Information

Compliance Assistance

Environmental Protection Agency

Contact Information

Stormwater Program Homepage

 

Content Last Updated January 16, 2026