Permit Requirements and Payment
NPDES Program
State law requires that an Erosion and Sediment Pollution Control (E&SPC) plan be developed for any projects involving earth disturbance with an area greater than 5,000 square feet (PA Clean Streams Law, Chapter 102). Projects which impact high quality or exceptional value streams as
defined by regulations promulgated under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) requirements need special care and
have enhanced permit conditions. In either situation, E&SPC plan preparers should allow at least 90 days for review of project plans and associated documents. Requirements vary depending on the nature and scope of the earth disturbance
| E&SPC Plan Review Application ACCD Application |
Site Location on USGS Topo Map Provide Quadrangle name | NOI Checklist |
| Complete E&SPC Plan E&S Module 1 | Attachments | Plan Drawings |
Complete PCSM Plan PCSM Module 2 | Attachments | Plan Drawings |
Complete NOI 1 Original |
| PHMC Coordination Letter Individual Permits (10+ acres) |
General Information Form Individual Permits Only |
Applicable Fees See Fee Schedule Below |
| Municipal Form 3800-FM-BCW0271c Proof of Receipts (Acts 14, 67, 68, 127) County Form 3800-FM-BCW0271b | Proof of Receipts (Acts 14, 67, 68, 127) PNDI Review Receipt |
PNDI Website |
Application Materials
General NPDES
ACCD Issued:
Reviewed under the terms of delegation agreements with PADEP. In most cases, a
General NPDES Permit is required before the start of construction.
Expedited General Application
Individual NPDES
PADEP Issued:
When a high quality or exceptional value stream is located within the project area, an Individual NPDES Permit is required.
Expedited Individual Application
General NPDES + Individual NPDES Review Fees
Both Individual and General NPDES submissions follow the same fee schedule
| Total Project Acreage | Regular Fees | Expedited Fees (+ regular fee) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 1.99 | $1,900.00 | $3,800.00 |
| 2 – 4.99 | $2,900.00 | $5,800.00 |
| 5 – 9.99 | $4,200.00 | $8,400.00 |
| 10 – 24.99 | $7,500.00 | $15,000.00 |
| 25 – 39.99 | $9,400.00 | $18,800.00 |
| 40 – 54.99 | $11,900.00 | $23,800.00 |
| 55 – 69.99 | $12,900.00 | $25,800.00 |
| 70 & Over | $12,900.00 +$200.00 per additional acre |
$25,800.00 +$400.00 per additional acre |
Clean Water Fund (CWF) Fees
Each NPDES plan review application must also include a payment to ACCD's Clean Water Fund and to the Commonwealth of PA's Clean Water Fund
| General NPDES | Individual NPDES | |
|---|---|---|
| ACCD 102 CWF FEE | $500.00 | $1,500.00 |
| PA CWF FEE | $100.00 per disturbed acre* | $100.00 per disturbed acre* |
*Rounded to the nearest acre - required for both General and Individual NPDES Permits.
Preparing Fees for Payment
Below are listed the fee combinations required in order for ACCD to accept a plan submission. Fees can be paid using MuniciPAY or combined as a single check.
EXAMPLE A
FEE ONE: Plan Review Fee: $7,500 FEE TWO: ACCD 102 CWF Fee: $500 FEE THREE: PA CWF: $1,200 Expedited Review Fee: N/A TOTAL FEE: $9,200 (payable as one sum)
12 Acres | General NPDES | Standard Review
EXAMPLE B
FEE ONE: Plan Review Fee: $4,200 FEE TWO: ACCD 102 CWF Fee: $1,500 FEE THREE: PA CWF: $600 FEE FOUR: Expedited Review Fee: $8,400 TOTAL FEE: $14,700 (payable as one sum)
6 Acres | Individual NPDES | Expedited Review
Non-NPDES Program
Non-NPDES plan reviews are for projects where less than one acre of land is being disturbed. If your project is disturbing more than one acre of land, it is likely that a NPDES permit will be required.
- ACCD Application
- An Erosion and Sediment Pollution Control Plan
- A project narrative describing in detail how the proposed controls will reduce stream pollution and runoff of sediment-laden water from the project site
- Applicable fees
Application Materials
In partnership with municipalities of Allegheny County, the Non-NPDES Program protects water quality by promoting the reduction of stream pollution on small scale projects.
Expedited Non-NPDES Application
Non-NPDES Review Fees
Clean Water Fund (CWF) fees do not apply to the Non-NPDES Program
| Total Disturbed Acreage | Regular Fees | Expedited Fees (+ regular fee) |
|---|---|---|
| 00.0 – 0.99 | $1,900.00 | $3,800.00 |
Preparing Fees for Payment
Only the Plan Review Fee and the Expedited Review Fee apply to the Non-NPDES Program
Payable: ACCD
Payable: ACCD
Chapter 105 Permit Program
Delegated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, ACCD reviews and issues General Permits GP-1 through GP-9 under the Chapter 105 Program. Carefully review the definitions, conditions, and requirements of the particular Chapter 105 General Permit to determine if the proposed project can qualify for authorization by ACCD.
- ACCD Application
- One original permit application package
- Note: to ensure prompt application processing and review, ensure all information required in sections A – H is completely and accurately provided
- Submit applicable fees
All Chapter 105 General Permits will require a reviewed and approved E&S plan. If the Chapter 105 General Permit is associated with a Chapter 102 permit, include the appropriate erosion control measures within the narrative and drawings for the following instances:
- Activities affecting streams
- 100 year floodways
- Wetlands
Application Materials
ACCD issues the following permits:
GP-01, GP-02, GP-03, GP-04, GP-05,
GP-06, GP-07, GP-08, GP-09
Expedited Chapter 105 Application
Chapter 105 Permit Review + ACCD's Clean Water Fund (CWF)
For this program, permit reviews are included with the ACCD Clean Water Fund Fee
| Total Project Acreage | Regular Fees | Expedited Fees (regular fee +) |
|---|---|---|
| 00.0 – 0.49 | $200.00 | $400.00 |
| 00.5 – 0.99 | $400.00 | $800.00 |
Preparing Fees for Payment
Only the ACCD Clean Water Fund and the Expedited Review Fee apply to the Chapter 105 Program. They are payable as one sum.
Payable: ACCD
Payable: ACCD
Timber Harvest Program Fees
These review fees apply to projects proposing earth disturbance associated with timber harvest activities.
| Total Disturbed Acreage | Regular Fees | Expedited Fees regular fee + |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 24.99 | $400.00 | $800.00 |
| 25 – 49.99 | $1,100.00 | $2,200.00 |
| 50 – 249.99 | $1,500.00 | $3,000.00 |
| 250 & Over | $1,500.00 +$25 per additional acre |
$3,000.00 +$50 per additional acre |
Application Materials
Download the following applications for an ES&C plan for timber harvesting operations. Includes non-permitted and permitted operations.
Expedited Timber Harvest Application
Where total disturbed acreage equals or exceeds 25.0 acres an Erosion and Sediment Control Permit is required
Preparing Fees for Payment
Only the Plan Review Fee and the Expedited Review Fee apply to the Timber Harvest
Payable: ACCD
Payable: ACCD
Major Amendment Plan Reviews
Why a Major Amendment?
Please contact the District to verify whether your submission is a Major/Minor Amendment.An application for a major amendment of an existing permit is required if the modification results in one of the following:
- You are increasing the number of Disturbed Project Acreage by 10% (or more) of the original permitted area
- You are adding additional point(s) of interest
- You are constructing new/additional impervious surfaces that are not already controlled by your initially approved stormwater plan
- You are submitting an additional phase not already covered under the initial permit
- You are changing the E&S and/or PCSM design standards identified in the original application or NOI is considered a Major Amendment. For E&S BMPs, the design standards are contained in the E&S Manual; for PCSM BMPs, the design standards are identified in 25 Pa. Code § 102.8(g).
Requirements for Submission
An application for a major amendment includes:
- A complete permit application, including NOI, drawings, narrative, etc.
- If acreage changes, please note changes on page 2 of the NOI
- Example: Total project site (acres): 20 + 1.5 total disturbed area (acres): 20 + 1.5
- $500 permit fee (general permit) or $1,500 permit fee (individual permit)
- If you are applying for a major amendment and renewal concurrently, please check renewal AND major amendment on the NOI.
- A review fee (see the Review Fee Schedule) based on the additional acreage to be disturbed under the amendment
- In the event of no change in acreage, a fee for 0-1.99 acres is required
- A Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Clean Water Fund fee in the amount of $100 per each acre that will be newly disturbed under the amendment (rounded to the nearest whole acre)
- Fees can be paid using MuniciPAY or combined as a single check.
Application Materials
Download the following applications to learn more about how our amendment process works.
Expedited Major Amendment Application
Expedited Minor Amendment Application
Minor Amendment Plan Reviews
Why a Minor Amendment?
Please contact the District to verify whether your submission is a Major/Minor Amendment.An application for a minor amendment of an existing permit is required if the modification results in one of the following:
- You are increasing the number of Disturbed Project Acreage by less than 10% with a maximum of 2.4 acres of the original disturbed area
- Example: Total project acreage equals 20 acres, total disturbed acreage equals 20 acres. Adding an additional 1.5 acres to total and disturbed project equals minor amendment.
- You are realigning/relocating the location of BMPs without changing calculations
- You are not affecting rate, volume, or water quality
- You are submitting a partial Notice of Termination
Requirements for Submission
An application for a minor amendment includes:
- A minor amendment application, including drawings, narrative, etc. (only include those items that are changing)
- A new NOI if acreage changes
- Example: Total project site (acres): 20 + 1.5 total disturbed area (acres): 20 + 1.5
- The application for a minor amendment plan review must include a $500 review fee
- A Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Clean Water Fund fee in the amount of $100 per each acre that will be newly disturbed under the amendment (rounded to the nearest whole acre)
- Fees can be paid using MuniciPAY or combined as a single check.
NPDES Renewals
After receiving initial approval of a General or Individual NPDES Permit, the current permit is valid until December 7, 2024. If more time is necessary to complete the project, it is very important to renew the permit before the permit expires.
If permit renewal is not submitted before the original permit expires, a renewal is no longer applicable and a new permit application package should be submitted.If permit renewal is not submitted 180 days prior to original permit expiration, an additional $1,000 fee will be required.
Note on Riparian Buffers:
Riparian Buffer Requirements are “grandfathered”, however if additional acres are proposed, the added acreage must meet the most current requirements.
Renewal Scenarios
ONE | When the permittee simply needs more time and no changes to the initially approved plan are proposed.
TWO | When the permittee needs more time before permit expiration, but they also may want or need to make changes to the initially approved plan. Listed below are Instructions for both scenarios. Please also note that different items will need to be submitted for a General NPDES Permit renewal and for an Individual NPDES Permit renewal.
What to submit with no changes to approved plan
No plan drawings or narratives should be submitted if no changes to initially approved permit are proposed.
General NPDES
- Updated Notice of Intent form, including new signatures
- $500 renewal processing fee
- $500 Allegheny County Clean Water Fee
- Additional $1,000 Fee (IF RENEWAL IS NOT SUBMITTED 180 DAYS PRIOR TO EXPIRATION)
- For an NOI type of renewal, complete these sections: General Information, Applicant Information, Eligibility Information, Compliance History and the Certification for PAG-02 Applicants
- Letter from permittee specifying that the previously approved E&S and PCSM Plans have not been revised, an indication of what work has been completed and what work remains on the project site, and verification that the permittee remains eligible for coverage under the General Permit
Individual NPDES
- Updated Notice of Intent form, including new signatures
- Updated PNDI (including agency coordination letters if applicable)
- Updated General Information Form (GIF)
- $500 renewal processing fee
- $1,500 Allegheny County Clean Water Fee
- Additional $1,000 Fee (IF RENEWAL IS NOT SUBMITTED 180 DAYS PRIOR TO EXPIRATION)
- For an NOI type of renewal, complete these sections: General Information, Applicant Information, Eligibility Information, Compliance History and the Certification for PAG-02 Applicants
- Letter from permittee specifying that the previously approved E&S and PCSM Plans have not been revised and an indication of what work has been completed and what work remains on the project site
Fees can be paid using MuniciPAY or combined as a single check.
Below are listed the fee combinations required in order for ACCD to accept a renewal with no changes for submission.
What to submit with changes to approved plan
Determine whether changes fall under Major or Minor Modification.
General NPDES
- Updated Notice of Intent form, including new signatures
- Updated PNDI (including agency coordination letters if applicable)
- Updated Act 14 letters
- Updated E&S Plan drawings and Narrative (full set, 1 copy)
- Updated PCSM Plan drawings and Narrative (full set, 1 copy)
- $500 renewal processing fee
- $500 Allegheny County Clean Water Fee
- PA Clean Water Fee, $100 per additional disturbed acre
- Appropriate Major or Minor Modification fee (depending which applies)
- Additional $1,000 Fee (IF RENEWAL IS NOT SUBMITTED 180 DAYS PRIOR TO EXPIRATION)
Individual NPDES
- Updated Notice of Intent form, including new signatures
- Updated PNDI (including agency coordination letters if applicable)
- Updated Act 14 letters
- Updated E&S Plan drawings and Narrative (full set, 1 copy)
- Updated PCSM Plan drawings and Narrative (full set, 1 copy)
- $500 renewal processing fee
- $1,500 Allegheny County Clean Water Fee
- PA Clean Water Fee, $100 per additional disturbed acre
- Appropriate Major or Minor Modification fee (depending which applies)
- Additional $1,000 Fee (IF RENEWAL IS NOT SUBMITTED 180 DAYS PRIOR TO EXPIRATION)
Below are listed the fee combinations required in order for ACCD to accept a renewal with changes for submission.
Corrective Action Plans (CAP)
Corrective action plans (CAPs) are a tool created by PA DEP in 2019 to allow the regulated community to come into compliance with regulatory or permitting requirements.
A CAP may be requested for an expired or expiring site where violations exist that need design or planning beyond what was originally designed and submitted for the original permit. Often, the need for CAPs arises for expired or expiring permits where issues arise with post construction stormwater management.ACCD will initially assess a retainer fee at 25% of the original permit fee, including any expedited review fee. After the CAP is completed, ACCD will charge applicants in the amount of $125 an hour for work completed. Processing CAPs includes, but is not limited, to administrative time, review time, and field inspection time. Depending on the scope of necessary work, any remaining funds will be returned, or additional fees will be invoiced.