District of Columbia SWPPP inspection requirements
- 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)
- Agency
- U.S. EPA (federal program)
How District of Columbia handles construction stormwater
District of Columbia is one of the few jurisdictions where the U.S. EPA runs the NPDES construction stormwater program directly. Construction sites disturbing one acre or more operate under the federal Construction General Permit (CGP). District of Columbia has not been delegated NPDES construction stormwater authority, so EPA's federal CGP applies directly. Inspect every 7 days, or every 14 days plus within 24 hours of a storm of 0.25″ or more. If the rain falls on a non-work day, inspect on the next work day.
Inspector qualifications
A "qualified person" familiar with the site's SWPPP and control measures. No specific certification required by the federal CGP.
Official sources
Common questions
What triggers a SWPPP inspection in District of Columbia?
Under the 2022 Construction General Permit (CGP), a storm event of 0.25 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 or 14 days.
Who can perform SWPPP inspections in District of Columbia?
A "qualified person" familiar with the site's SWPPP and control measures. No specific certification required by the federal CGP.
Who administers the construction stormwater program in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia is not delegated NPDES construction stormwater authority, so the U.S. EPA administers the program directly under the federal Construction General Permit.
What are the penalties for SWPPP violations in District of Columbia?
Federal Clean Water Act civil penalties can reach $68,445 per day per violation, and EPA 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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