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
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)