SWPPP inspections and DEP permits in New York City.
We prepare the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan, handle the NYC DEP permit applications and run the Qualified Inspector site visits through close-out.
- Soil disturbance that brings in DEP
- 20,000 sq ft
- Or new impervious surface
- 5,000 sq ft
- Longest gap between QI inspections
- 7 days
- DEP review of a complete SWPPP
- 45 days
The requirement
Disturb 20,000 square feet and DEP needs a SWPPP.
Since February 15, 2022, NYC DEP's Unified Stormwater Rule has applied to development projects across the city, not just in separate storm sewer areas. No work can start until DEP accepts the SWPPP and issues a Stormwater Construction Permit. Projects in separate storm sewer (MS4) areas also need coverage under NYSDEC's Construction General Permit, GP-0-25-001.
- Covered projects
- 20,000 sq ft or more of soil disturbance, or 5,000 sq ft or more of new impervious surface. Disturbance outside the property line counts.
- Before any work
- DEP accepts the SWPPP, then issues the Stormwater Construction Permit. DEP gets seven days' notice before work starts.
- During construction
- A Qualified Inspector visits at least once every seven calendar days until close-out.
- After construction
- Projects with stormwater management practices need a Stormwater Maintenance Permit: annual certification, renewed every five years.
What the inspection covers
- 01
- Erosion and sediment controlsSilt fence, inlet protection, stabilized construction entrances, sediment traps
- 02
- Pollution prevention measuresEach measure in the SWPPP, checked for integrity and effectiveness
- 03
- Stormwater management practicesEach SMP under construction checked against the SWPPP and given its DEP status code
- 04
- Disturbed areas and discharge pointsInactive areas stabilized on time, and every point where water leaves the site
Compliance timeline
- Before work
- SWPPP prepared and sealed, DEP SWPPP Acceptance, then the Stormwater Construction Permit
- Every week
- Signed Qualified Inspector report kept on site with the SWPPP; twice weekly on sites disturbing more than 5 acres at once or draining to impaired waters
- Every month
- A summary of the Qualified Inspector reports emailed to DEP
- Close-out
- Final stabilization inspection and Notice of Termination: DEP signs off first, then NYSDEC for MS4 projects
Built for DEP and NYSDEC review
What you receive
Reports built for DEP review.
- Permit ID, site address, date and time of the inspection
- Qualified Inspector name and title, with the inspecting and certifying QI signatures
- Weather, soil conditions and total soil disturbance at the time of inspection
- Condition of each erosion control, pollution prevention measure and SMP
- Corrective actions needed, with dated color photos and after photos once fixed
- Dated photos
- Color, date-stamped photos of every practice that needs correcting
- DEP format
- Built on the inspection templates in SWPPP Appendix F
- Kept on site
- A copy for the SWPPP binder on site, available to DEP on request
Why VetraCheck
From the SWPPP to close-out.
- Five boroughs: Projects anywhere in New York City
- On the calendar: Weekly or twice-weekly visits through close-out, as your site requires
- Transparent pricing: Straightforward quotes, no hidden fees
- Plan, permit and inspections
- The team that writes your SWPPP inspects against it, so the reports match the plan DEP accepted.
- Licensed engineers
- DEP requires a licensed PE or Registered Landscape Architect as Qualified Inspector when a project has stormwater management practices.
- Corrective actions, fast
- You hear about anything that needs fixing within one business day of the inspection, as the permit requires.
- Monthly summaries
- We prepare the monthly Qualified Inspector summary DEP expects by email.
- Close-out handled
- Final inspection, stabilization certification and the Notice of Termination steps in DEP's tracking system.
- One contact
- Questions about the plan, the permit or an inspection go to the same people.
NYC SWPPP questions
- Does my NYC project need a SWPPP?
- Under DEP's Unified Stormwater Rule, yes if it disturbs 20,000 square feet or more of soil or creates 5,000 square feet or more of impervious surface, and it can discharge to a City sewer. Disturbance outside the property counts, and so does a phase of a larger plan that reaches those numbers. One-, two- and three-family homes are not automatically exempt.
- How long does DEP take to accept a SWPPP?
- 45 days from a complete application, or 60 days when the design is non-conforming. If DEP finds deficiencies, a revised application goes back for review. An accepted SWPPP expires after two years, with one one-year extension available on written request.
- How often does the Qualified Inspector have to visit?
- At least once every seven calendar days until close-out. Twice every seven days, at least two full days apart, when more than 5 acres are disturbed at once or the site discharges to an impaired waterbody. Once every 30 days during a shutdown DEP has approved. A trained contractor also inspects daily.
- Who can be the Qualified Inspector?
- For DEP, a New York licensed Professional Engineer or Registered Landscape Architect when the project has stormwater management practices. On projects with only erosion and sediment controls, a Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control can serve.
- Do I also need NYSDEC permit coverage?
- For projects in separate storm sewer (MS4) areas, yes. After DEP accepts the SWPPP, the owner files a Notice of Intent under NYSDEC's GP-0-25-001 and includes DEP's signed SWPPP Acceptance Form. Where the city and state rules differ, the stricter one applies.
SWPPP guides
How the NYC DEP and NYSDEC stormwater rules apply to your site, and how they differ from parapet rules.
- NYC DEP Stormwater Construction Permit: A Guide for Owners and DevelopersDo you need a SWPPP in NYC? DEP's permit applies at 20,000 sq ft of soil disturbance or 5,000 sq ft of new impervious surface. Each step, start to close-out.
- NYSDEC Construction General Permit: A NYC Facade Contractor's GuideWhen a NYC parapet or facade repair grows into major work, it can trigger permits beyond the DOB. Where DEP's stormwater permit and NYSDEC's CGP fit in.
- What Happens If You Miss a SWPPP Inspection in NYCMissed a SWPPP inspection on a NYC site? What the 7-day Qualified Inspector schedule requires, the state penalties, and four steps to get back in compliance.
- SWPPP vs. Local Law 126: How NYC Inspections DifferConfused between SWPPP and Local Law 126? Learn how these NYC compliance inspections differ, who governs each, and which one your building actually needs.
Get started
Request your inspection.
Tell us the address and the building height. We come back with a fixed price and the next available date.
- Prefer to talk
- (646) 355-8530
- Office hours
- Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
- Office
- 131 Varick St., STE 1024, New York, NY 10013
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Start the SWPPP before you need the permit.
DEP takes 45 days to review a complete SWPPP, and no work can start without the Stormwater Construction Permit. Send us the project address and we will come back with a quote and a plan.