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How often must a SWPPP be inspected, and by whom?

Under EPA's 2022 Construction General Permit, a site must be inspected at least once every 7 calendar days, or once every 14 calendar days and within 24 hours of a storm producing 0.25 inch of rain or more in 24 hours. Sites discharging to sediment or nutrient-impaired or high-quality waters must do both. The inspector must be a qualified person who has passed EPA's inspection course or holds a qualifying certification, and a report is due within 24 hours. EPA 2022 CGP Part 4.1, 4.2, 4.3.1, 4.7.1, 6.3

National guide. The rules cited are from EPA's 2022 Construction General Permit (as modified in 2025), checked October 20, 2026, which applies where EPA is the permitting authority. Most states issue their own permit with different details; check your state before relying on a number.

Last reviewed October 19, 2026. Prepared by our team led by Mohamed Elansary, PhD. We are not a licensed engineering firm and do not seal plans. General information, not legal advice; the permit text controls.

Who can inspect

The inspector can be on your staff or a third party, but must be a "qualified person": for projects covered on or after February 17, 2023, someone who completed EPA's construction inspection course and passed its exam, or who holds a current construction inspection certification or license from a program covering erosion and sediment control principles, installation and maintenance, and inspections and reports. EPA 2022 CGP Part 4.1, 6.3 The SWPPP must hold the certificate or proof of that training. EPA 2022 CGP Part 7.2.2 State permits set their own inspector rules; some require a state certification.

Inspection schedules

SituationMinimum frequency
Standard, option 1At least once every 7 calendar days. EPA 2022 CGP Part 4.2.1
Standard, option 2Once every 14 calendar days and within 24 hours of a storm producing 0.25 inch or more of rain within 24 hours (smaller storms that add up count), or of a snowmelt discharge from 3.25 inches or more of snow. EPA 2022 CGP Part 4.2.2
Discharge to sediment or nutrient-impaired waters, Tier 2, 2.5 or 3 watersEvery 7 calendar days and within 24 hours of a 0.25-inch storm or a 3.25-inch snowmelt discharge. EPA 2022 CGP Part 4.3.1
Dewatering dischargesAn inspection each day the discharge occurs. EPA 2022 CGP Part 4.3.2
Stabilized areasTwice in the first month (no more than 14 days apart), then once a month. EPA 2022 CGP Part 4.4.1
Arid, semi-arid or drought areas; frozen conditionsReduced frequencies with conditions, and dates recorded in the SWPPP. EPA 2022 CGP Part 4.4.2-4.4.3

Inspections are only required during normal working hours. "Within 24 hours" runs continuously; when the window falls wholly outside working hours, inspect by the end of the next business day. Use an on-site rain gauge or a representative weather station, and record the daily total for any 24-hour period with 0.25 inch or more. EPA 2022 CGP Part 4.2, footnotes 67-68; 4.2.3

What to inspect

What to check

Whether controls are installed and working; conditions that could cause spills or leaks; where new or modified controls are needed; visible erosion and sediment deposits at discharge points, on stream banks, streets, curbs and channels; and any noncompliance. If water is discharging, identify the discharge points and record its color, odor, solids, foam and sheen. EPA 2022 CGP Part 4.6.1-4.6.2

The inspection report

Complete it within 24 hours with the date, names and titles of the inspectors, a summary of findings including any maintenance or corrective action needed, the rain gauge or weather station reading that triggered a storm inspection, and any area that was unsafe to inspect and why. It is signed by the operator's signatory, kept at the site or an easily accessible place, and retained at least 3 years after coverage ends. EPA 2022 CGP Part 4.7.1-4.7.4 A printable layout is on our SWPPP inspection form page.

After the inspection: corrective action

How state permits differ: one example

RuleEPA 2022 CGPTexas TXR150000
Storm inspection trigger0.25 inch of rain in 24 hours (or snowmelt from 3.25 inches of snow) on the 14-day schedule EPA 2022 CGP Part 4.2.20.5 inch of rain on the 14-day schedule TXR150000 Part III.F.8(c)
Who files a Notice of IntentAll operators, at least 14 calendar days before work EPA 2022 CGP Part 1.4.3Primary operator of a large site (5 acres or more) before work; small sites post a site notice instead TXR150000 Part II.E.2-3
Filing systemEPA NeT EPA 2022 CGP Part 1.4.2TCEQ STEERS TCEQ

State hubs with the permit, agency and inspection rules for each state we have checked: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, West Virginia. Texas specifics are on the Texas hub.

SWPPP Desk does not inspect sites. Our plans include the inspection schedule, inspection report and corrective action log for the permit that covers your site.

What this page does not cover

Inspector training courses, city or county inspection programs, and state inspection rules beyond the Texas example above. Your state permit controls where the state is the permitting authority.

Have it written for you

SWPPP Desk prepares site-specific SWPPPs from your drawings for construction sites in the states we cover (coverage by state), for a fixed price, delivered the next business day after your inputs are complete. Small site (1 to under 5 acres): $449. Large site (5 acres or more): $749. Background: all guides.

Small site: $449Large site: $749

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