GAState-AdministeredSWPPP Requirements in Georgia
Georgia operates a state-administered NPDES construction stormwater program through the Environmental Protection Division (EPD), but the state's most distinctive feature is its system of Local Issuing Authorities (LIAs). Under Georgia's Erosion and Sedimentation Act, counties and municipalities may be authorized by EPD to administer their own erosion and sedimentation control programs. In many urban and suburban areas — particularly the Atlanta metro region — the LIA is the primary regulatory contact for construction stormwater compliance. Georgia requires an Erosion, Sedimentation and Pollution Control Plan (ES&PC Plan), which functions as the equivalent of a SWPPP. This plan must be prepared by or under the supervision of a GSWCC Level 1B Certified Design Professional for projects disturbing 5 or more acres. Sites within LIA jurisdictions must obtain a Land Disturbance Permit (LDP) from the LIA before beginning disturbance — the LIA reviews and approves the ES&PC Plan and may require revisions before issuing the LDP. Georgia has an acreage-based NOI fee structure — one of the few states that charges per disturbed acre — with a cap of $1,200. EPD reissued the construction stormwater general permits (including GAR100001) with a current term authorizing discharges through July 31, 2028; confirm any NOI renewal or transition steps in EPD/GEOS guidance if you held coverage under prior permit cycles.
Georgia SWPPP Key Facts
- ✓Local Issuing Authorities (LIAs) in many counties/municipalities serve as primary permit contacts — identify your LIA before contacting EPD
- ✓ES&PC Plan (Erosion, Sedimentation & Pollution Control Plan) is Georgia's equivalent of the SWPPP
- ✓Plans for sites ≥5 acres must be designed by a GSWCC Level 1B Certified Design Professional
- ✓NOI fee is acreage-based: $40/acre disturbed, minimum $40, maximum $1,200
- ✓GSWCC Level 1A Certified Inspector required for all field inspections
- ✓LIA Land Disturbance Permit required in addition to state NOI in most urban/suburban jurisdictions
- ✓Inspections required every 7 days AND within 24 hours of a 0.5-inch rain event
- ✓Georgia EPD permit GAR100001 covers sites in non-LIA jurisdictions; LIA permit covers sites in authorized LIA jurisdictions
Administering Agency
- Agency
- Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GA EPD)
- Phone
- 404-675-6232
- Website
- GA EPD Stormwater Program
Permit Details
- Permit Name
- NPDES General Permit for Stormwater Runoff from Construction Activities
- Permit Number
- GAR100001
- Effective Date
- 2024-08-23
- Expiration Date
- 2028-07-31
SWPPP Thresholds & Triggers
- Acreage Threshold
- 1 acre; common plans of development ≥1 acre trigger coverage regardless of individual lot size
Georgia has a network of Local Issuing Authorities (LIAs) — counties and municipalities that are authorized to administer local erosion and sedimentation control programs independently. Sites within LIA jurisdictions must obtain a Land Disturbance Permit (LDP) from the LIA in addition to (or sometimes instead of, depending on the LIA's authorization level) the state NPDES permit.
Inspection Requirements
- Inspection Frequency
- Every 7 calendar days AND within 24 hours of a rain event of 0.5 inches or more in 24 hours. Georgia EPD also requires a visual inspection within 24 hours after any rainfall event that causes surface erosion.
- Rain Event Threshold
- 0.5 inches in 24 hours
- Certified Inspector
- Required by state
- Accepted Certifications
- GSWCC Level 1A or 1B — Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission certified inspector, CPESC (Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control), CESSWI (Certified Erosion, Sediment and Stormwater Inspector)
Georgia is one of the few states with its own state-specific inspector certification — the GSWCC Level 1A (Inspector) and Level 1B (Designer) credentials. The permit requires that inspections be conducted by a 'Certified Inspector' as defined under Georgia's Erosion and Sedimentation Act. LIAs may have additional inspector qualification requirements.
Penalties & Enforcement
- Max Civil Penalty (Per Day)
- $2,500 per day per violation for state EPD violations; up to $25,000 per day for egregious violations
- Criminal Penalties
- Up to $50,000 per day and/or up to 2 years imprisonment for knowing violations
Georgia's Erosion and Sedimentation Act gives both EPD and Local Issuing Authorities enforcement authority. LIAs can issue Stop Work Orders immediately for ESC violations. EPD can assess civil penalties administratively. High-profile enforcement actions in the Atlanta metro area have historically resulted in multi-million dollar penalties for major homebuilders.
Permit Fees
- NOI Filing Fee
- $40 per acre disturbed (minimum $40, maximum $1,200) for state EPD NOI
- NOT Filing Fee
- $0
- Other Fees
- LIA Land Disturbance Permit fees vary by jurisdiction — often $200–$1,000+ depending on project size and county. Some LIAs charge per-lot fees for residential subdivisions.
How Georgia Differs from Federal Requirements
- ⚠Local Issuing Authority (LIA) system creates a three-tier compliance structure (federal → state → local) with no direct federal equivalent
- ⚠GSWCC Level 1A/1B certifications are state-specific credentials not found under the federal CGP
- ⚠Acreage-based NOI fee ($40/acre, max $1,200) vs. no fee under EPA CGP
- ⚠ES&PC Plan terminology and format requirements differ from federal SWPPP guidance
- ⚠LIAs have independent Stop Work Order authority, creating faster local enforcement response than typical federal programs
SWPPP Tips for Georgia
- ➤First check whether your project site falls within a Local Issuing Authority jurisdiction at epd.georgia.gov — in most Atlanta-area counties, the LIA (county or city) handles all construction ESC permitting and EPD is secondary.
- ➤Budget LIA Land Disturbance Permit fees separately from the state NOI fee — LIA fees can equal or exceed state fees and have separate review timelines (often 15–30 days).
- ➤Hire a GSWCC Level 1B Certified Designer for your ES&PC Plan early — for large sites, finding certified designers with availability can be a bottleneck.
- ➤Georgia's acreage-based NOI fee caps at $1,200 — for large sites, this is one of the more affordable state fee structures in the Southeast.
- ➤Inspect after every rain event that causes surface erosion, not just the standard 0.5-inch threshold — Georgia EPD interprets the permit to require inspection documentation after any visible erosion-causing event.
- ➤Keep your GSWCC-certified inspector's certification card on-site or readily available — LIA inspectors routinely request proof of certification during site visits.
- ➤Georgia EPD has online NOI filing — file at least 7 days before ground disturbance when filing with EPD. LIA timing varies, so check your LIA's requirements.
Georgia SWPPP FAQs
What is a Local Issuing Authority in Georgia and do I need their permit?+
A Local Issuing Authority (LIA) is a county or municipality authorized by Georgia EPD to administer the state's Erosion and Sedimentation Act at the local level. If your project is within an LIA jurisdiction (most major counties and cities in Georgia qualify), you must obtain a Land Disturbance Permit from the LIA. The LIA will review your ES&PC Plan, conduct inspections, and handle enforcement. In many cases, the LIA permit effectively satisfies the state EPD NOI requirement — confirm with your specific LIA.
What is an ES&PC Plan and is it the same as a SWPPP?+
Georgia uses the term Erosion, Sedimentation and Pollution Control (ES&PC) Plan rather than SWPPP. It is functionally equivalent and must meet Georgia EPD's requirements under the NPDES general permit. For sites ≥5 acres, the plan must be prepared or reviewed by a GSWCC Level 1B Certified Design Professional. The ES&PC Plan covers all BMP selection, design, and maintenance requirements.
Does Georgia require a certified inspector and what certifications are accepted?+
Yes. Georgia's permit requires inspections by a 'Certified Inspector' — specifically a GSWCC Level 1A certified individual. The GSWCC (Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission) offers its own certification program that is state-specific and widely recognized by LIAs. CPESC and CESSWI are also accepted. LIAs may have additional requirements, so confirm with the specific jurisdiction.
What happens if I start construction without a Land Disturbance Permit in Georgia?+
Starting construction without the required LIA Land Disturbance Permit is a direct violation of Georgia's Erosion and Sedimentation Act. LIAs have authority to issue immediate Stop Work Orders, which halt all construction activity. Fines, restoration costs, and delays can result. EPD can also pursue NPDES permit violations independently. Georgia has a history of aggressive enforcement, particularly in the Atlanta metro area.
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