Small Construction Permit

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have developed requirements for construction sites that disturb one or more acre of land or a common plan of development that will disturb one or more acre of land. These regulations require applicable construction sites to comply with the Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) Construction General Permit. These sites are also required to get a grading permit through the City of Fort Worth.

General Permit for Construction Activities

The Construction General Permit details the requirements that all construction sites must follow to control erosion and sediment runoff during construction. There are two categories of site requirements based on the size of the area to be disturbed.

  • Small Construction Sites (one acre or more, but less than five acres, or a common plan of development that will disturb one or more acre, but less than five acres).

Download

A copy of the environmental review checklist(PDF, 97KB) for the City of Forth Worth grading permit.

For all submittals to Environmental Quality, electronic copies are preferred and will process faster. 

Please allow up to 10 days for review. If further information is requested, please allow for additional days to  review.  

Steps to take Before Discharging

Online

Step 1.Review

Review your facility's compliance history ranking:

  • If your facility is new or has a ranking of "high" or "satisfactory," continue to Step 2.
  • If it is "unsatisfactory," then your facility is not eligible for coverage under a general permit. You must apply for an individual permit instead.

Step 2.Read

Read the general permit (TXR150000) to make sure it applies to your situation. 

Step 3.Prepare

Prepare and implement a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWP3). For more details, see Part III of General Permit TXR150000.

Step 4.Post

  • Complete and post a site notice.
  • If the construction site is located within the City of Fort Worth, the operator must also submit a copy of the Construction Site Notice to the city before soil disturbing activities begin.

Submit MS4 notifications

Email: constructionstormwater@fortworthtexas.gov

By phone

Step 1.Review

Review your facility's compliance history ranking:

  • If your facility is new or has a ranking of "high" or "satisfactory," continue to Step 2.
  • If it is "unsatisfactory," then your facility is not eligible for coverage under a general permit. You must apply for an individual permit instead.

Step 2.Read

Read the general permit (TXR150000) to make sure it applies to your situation. 

Step 3.Prepare

Prepare and implement a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWP3). For more details, see Part III of General Permit TXR150000. 

Step 4.Post

  • Complete and post a site notice.
  • If the construction site is located within the City of Fort Worth, the operator must also submit a copy of the Construction Site Notice to the city before soil disturbing activities begin. 

Fax: 817-392-6359
Attn: Construction Stormwater Program

 

By mail

Step 1.Review

Review your facility's compliance history ranking:

  • If your facility is new or has a ranking of "high" or "satisfactory," continue to Step 2.
  • If it is "unsatisfactory," then your facility is not eligible for coverage under a general permit. You must apply for an individual permit instead.

Step 2.Read

Read the general permit (TXR150000) to make sure it applies to your situation. 

Step 3.Prepare

Prepare and implement a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWP3). For more details, see Part III of General Permit TXR150000.

Step 4.Submit

Original completed Notice of Intent (NOI) form with an original signature and fee as noted on the NOI.:

Step 5.Post

  • Complete and post a site notice.
  • If the construction site is located within the City of Fort Worth, the operator must also submit a copy of the Construction Site Notice to the city before soil disturbing activities begin. 

Mail:

Attn: Construction Stormwater Program
Environmental Services Department - Environmental Quality
200 Texas St.
Fort Worth, Texas 76102 

All necessary forms and permit documents to obtain coverage for small construction sites can be found on the TCEQ website.

Compliance Tools

All applicants for coverage under the permit are required to have a SWPPP developed and implemented in accordance with the permit prior to submitting the NOI or posting the site notice.

Guidance on SWPPP development and the implementation of appropriate BMPs and other compliance tools is available from TCEQ Small Business and Local Government Assistance.

Training is offered periodically throughout the year. To request a training for your group please contact constructionstormwater@fortworthtexas.gov

Construction Inspections

Environmental Quality is responsible for ensuring that operators of construction activities in the City of Fort Worth have obtained coverage under the construction general permit and are operating in compliance with the requirements detailed in the Construction General Permit.

As a regulatory agency, the City of Fort Worth has the authority to ensure compliance from construction sites that are regulated by the EPA and the TCEQ. This program is a required element of the City's own TPDES Permit to discharge stormwater from the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4).

Download a City of Fort Worth Inspection Guide(PDF, 26KB)