Industrial Stormwater General Permit Coverage
What is the purpose of this permit?
Stormwater can pick up pollution from factories and businesses. Those contaminants are carried into waterways and harm fish and other aquatic life. The Industrial Stormwater General Permit (ISGP) helps industrial facilities comply with federal and state regulations that reduce pollution. Most industrial sites in Washington are required to monitor, measure, and reduce stormwater pollution leaving their site.
The Industrial Stormwater General Permit is one of the state's key tools to protect water quality in Washington's lakes, streams, and rivers and in the Puget Sound.
Who issues this permit?
Department of EcologyWhat activities require this permit?
Facilities conducting industrial activities that discharge stormwater to surface waters of the State. This includes private entities, state and local government facilities, and new facilities and existing facilitiesHow much will this permit cost?
Application fee: In addition to an annual fee, first-time individual permit applicants must pay a nonrefundable application fee of 25 percent of the annual permit fee, or $250, whichever is greater. An application fee is assessed for RCRA corrective action sites regardless of whether a new permit is issued or an existing permit for other than the discharge resulting from the RCRA corrective action, is modified.
Minimum fee: The minimum water quality annual permit fee is $150.00 unless the annual permit fee schedule states otherwise. Ecology has the discretion, to assess this minimum fee when no better permit fee category applies, or when a prorated annual permit fee falls below the minimum fee amount.
Do I need to include anything with my application?
Facilities that meet the permit definition of "new discharger" that propose to discharge stormwater to an impaired waterbody on the state's
303(d) list of impaired waterbodies are required to submit additional documentation to allow Ecology to make an affirmative determination that the proposed discharge will not cause or contribute to a violation of water quality standards in the impaired waterbody.
New dischargers and new facilities are also required to do a public notice. This means that the public may submit comments to Ecology during the 30-day public comment period to support or oppose your proposed activity.
Is the decision on my permit dependent on anything besides the information in my application?
When making the decision on your order/permit, Ecology will consider the applicable laws and rules, the contents of your application, and the background environmental conditions.
For new discharges and new facilities: If any comments are received during the public notice, Ecology must review and respond to the comments and take them into consideration when making a permit decision.
In addition, see "Do I need to include anything with my application?"
How long will it take to review my application?
Final determinations on new applications for coverage under the industrial stormwater general permit are typically issued within 45 days of receiving an applicant's complete notice of intent. It may take longer than 45 days for Ecology to review the application:
- If the application is incomplete.
- If more site-specific information is required.
- If the public requests a public hearing.
- If members of the public file comments.
- When more information is necessary to determine whether coverage under the general permit is appropriate.
When more review time is needed, Ecology will:
- Notify the applicant in writing within 30 days and explain the issues the applicant must resolve before a decision can be reached.
- Submit the final decision to the applicant in writing. If Ecology approves the application for coverage, coverage begins the 31st day following approval, or the date the approval letter is issued, whichever is later.
Where do I submit my application?
Please use the
WQWebPortal to fill out and submit your application.
Schematic:
View the
schematic ![]()
How long is my permit valid?
Statewide general permits are reissued every five years. You must submit a renewal application to Ecology at least 180 days before the expiration date of the current general permit to continue permit coverage under the reissued general permit. As part of the permit renewal process, Ecology will notify all permittees to explain the renewal process during each new permit cycle.What is the appeal process for the permit?
An order, permit, license, or decision can be appealed within 30 days from the “date of receipt” of the decision. The appeal process is governed by RCW 43.21B and WAC 371-08. “Date of receipt” is defined in RCW 43.21B.001(2). Get more information on the
Pollution Control Hearings Board web page. [https://eluho.wa.gov/boards/pollution-control-hearings-board]
Permit Timeliness Results
Permit Timeliness data collection is in response to a State Auditor’s Performance Audit and RCW 43.42A. Each regulatory agency developed a plan to improve permit clarity, predictability, and timeliness. Each agency considers the customers experience to ensure permit assistance is simple to use, easy to access, and designed in a customer-friendly manner. Agencies report progress to the Governor’s Office for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance (ORIA). ORIA prepares and distributes reports, with participation from the State Auditor’s Office and Results Washington. See latest report here: https://www.oria.wa.gov/ORIA-2020-PermitTimelinessProgressReport.pdf.
All permits submitted for reporting were entered into this Regulatory Handbook. Here are the results of the performance data:
Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Process a Permit Application (Definition)Average number of days from Receipt to Complete: 43.5Maximum number of days from Receipt to Complete: 70Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Issue a Permit Decision (Definition)Average number of days from Complete Application to Decision: 5.8Maximum number of days from Complete Application to Decision: 8(Summary results based on 49 submittals in 2023)
Triggering Questions:
- Does your industrial facility discharge stormwater runoff to surface waters of the state or to a storm drain connected to surface waters of the state?
* Permit information last updated 12/23/2024