Water quality general permits

What is a general permit?

A general permit is a type of wastewater discharge permit that is developed for a category of discharger instead of an individual facility. Like an individual permit, it is a legally binding contract with us that grants permission to discharge to “waters of the state.” The permit contains discharge limits, monitoring and reporting requirements, and operation and maintenance requirements. It is enforceable and revocable for a cause, such as failing to comply with the responsibilities listed in the permit conditions.

Dischargers covered under general permits know their permit requirements before obtaining coverage. As such, obtaining coverage under a general permit is typically faster than an individual permit. General permits may prove more cost effective, because a large number of facilities may get covered quickly with a general permit. 

Categories of general permits include:

• All stormwater permits
• Aquatic pesticide permits
• Boatyard Permit
• Bridge & Ferry Terminal Washing Permit
• Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation Permit
• Construction Stormwater Permit
• EPA Vessel Permit (greywater)
• Fresh Fruit Packing Permit
• Industrial Stormwater Permit
• Municipal Stormwater Permits
• Nutrient General Permit
• Sand & Gravel Permit
• Upland Finfish Permit
• Vessel Deconstruction Permit
• Water Treatment Plant General Permit
• Winery General Permit

If you do not see your industry covered by one of the general permit categories, you may need coverage under an individual discharge permit.

Find more information about a specific permit 

You may find resources, ways to get involved, and contact information on the permit pages linked above. On these pages permittees can apply for, terminate or modify coverage.

How do the general permits get updated?

Our general permits expire every 5 years. Our permit writer uses an internal permit development team, stakeholder feedback, internal technical expertise, and best professional judgment to develop a new draft permit. We invite public comments on the draft. The permit writer considers those comments when finalizing the permit and includes a response to comments summary in the fact sheet for the draft permit. We then issue the final permit with a 30-day appeal period and an effective date.

What are my opportunities for participation? How do I make a comment?

Public involvement opportunities may include listening sessions, poster sessions, informal comment periods, and other unique opportunities to engage with the permit writer and the draft permit.

We accept public comments on the draft permits. General permit issuance typically includes a workshop and public hearing. At the events someone can learn about the proposed changes and submit verbal comments by testifying at the public hearing. The public comment period provides the opportunity to comment during the formal hearing and by using an online comment form that is open for at least 30 days, per state law.

You may go to a specific permit page to sign up to receive emailed information on the permits, to include the public comment period, where we accept comments on the permit during the issuance/reissuance phase.

Steps in water quality permit development process

1. Working with an internal permit development team
2. Drafting the permit language
3. Public comment period
4. Considering and integrating comments and writing a response to comments for the fact sheet for the draft permit
5. Issuing the permit
6. 30 day appeal period
7. Permit effective

Looking for your permit application status?

For permit application or Notice of Intent (NOI) status, please contact your permit administrator or manager listed on the appropriate permit page above.