North Carolina SWPPP inspection requirements
- Rain trigger
- 1″ storm event
- Post-rain deadline
- Within 24 hours
- Routine inspections
- Every 7 days
- Permit
- NCG010000 Construction General Permit
- Agency
- North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ)
How North Carolina handles construction stormwater
Construction sites in North Carolina disturbing one acre or more need coverage under the NCG010000 Construction General Permit, administered by North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. NCG010000 (renewed effective April 1, 2024) uses a 1.0″-in-24-hours trigger measured by an on-site rain gauge (daily readings; a cumulative reading is acceptable over unattended weekends), 7-day routine inspections, and electronic self-inspection records. Inspections are only required during normal business hours — a storm outside them rolls to the start of the next business day.
Inspector qualifications
Self-inspections do not require a certified person — NC DEQ states qualified site personnel may perform them.
Official sources
Common questions
What triggers a SWPPP inspection in North Carolina?
Under the NCG010000 Construction General Permit, a storm event of 1 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 days.
Who can perform SWPPP inspections in North Carolina?
Self-inspections do not require a certified person — NC DEQ states qualified site personnel may perform them.
Who administers the construction stormwater program in North Carolina?
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ) administers the NPDES construction stormwater program in North Carolina under the NCG010000 Construction General Permit.
What are the penalties for SWPPP violations in North Carolina?
Federal Clean Water Act civil penalties can reach $68,445 per day per violation, and NC DEQ 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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