How to Fill Out Florida DEP NPDES Industrial Stormwater Permit + FAQs

The Florida DEP NPDES Industrial Stormwater Permit is the Multi-Sector Generic Permit (MSGP) that every Florida facility discharging stormwater associated with industrial activity must obtain by filing a Notice of Intent (NOI) on DEP Form 62-621.300(5)(b) before discharging to waters of the state. The permit is issued under Florida Administrative Code Rule 62-621.300(5) and mirrors the federal NPDES program delegated to Florida by the U.S. EPA in 2000.

Filers who skip the NOI, file late, or check the wrong industrial sector face civil penalties up to $10,000 per day per violation under Florida Statute 403.161, plus federal penalties up to $64,618 per day under the Clean Water Act §309. Florida processes more than 8,000 active industrial stormwater permits, and DEP audit data shows roughly 30% of NOIs are returned for correction because of SIC code, latitude/longitude, or SWPPP-certification errors.

📋 How to identify your correct industrial activity sector and SIC code before checking any box
🗺️ How to enter site coordinates, receiving waterbody, and WBID without triggering a DEP rejection
💧 How to determine if your discharge hits an impaired (303(d)) water and what extra steps that adds
💵 How to pay the $400 NOI fee through the DEP Business Portal or by mail without delaying coverage
✍️ How to certify your Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) so the duly authorized representative signature holds up under audit

What the Permit Is and Who Must File It

The Florida DEP NPDES Industrial Stormwater Permit is a generic permit — meaning DEP has pre-written one master permit that covers many facilities, and each facility “opts in” by filing the NOI on Form 62-621.300(5)(b), revision date November 2020. The permit runs in 5-year cycles, and the current cycle was reissued effective November 5, 2020 under the 2020 Florida MSGP, which closely tracks EPA’s 2021 federal MSGP but adds Florida-specific impaired waters and TMDL conditions.

You must file if your facility falls within one of the 29 industrial sectors listed in Appendix D of the MSGP, ranging from Sector A (timber products) through Sector AD (non-classified facilities designated by DEP). The trigger is whether stormwater contacts industrial materials, equipment, or activities at your site. A scrap recycler under Sector N, a trucking terminal under Sector P, and a landfill under Sector L all need coverage even if they share a parking lot with a non-industrial tenant.

Facilities with no exposure of industrial materials to stormwater can skip the NOI and instead file a No Exposure Certification on Form 62-621.300(6) under 40 CFR 122.26(g). When operations end or transfer, the operator files a Notice of Termination (NOT) on Form 62-621.300(7) to close coverage; failing to file the NOT keeps the $400 annual fee running and keeps the operator legally liable for the site.

Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need

Walking up to the DEP Business Portal without the right documents is the single fastest way to abandon a half-finished NOI and lose your draft. Florida’s portal times out after 30 minutes of inactivity, and the system does not save partial entries unless you create an account first.

Facility legal name and operator name — both must match Florida Sunbiz records, or DEP will return the NOI for mismatch.
Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) — used to cross-check ownership and to bill the annual fee.
Primary 4-digit SIC code plus any secondary SIC codes that describe other industrial activities at the site.
Latitude and longitude of the facility entrance in decimal degrees to 5 decimal places (e.g., 28.53842, -81.37923).
Receiving waterbody name and WBID number from the DEP Watershed Information Network (WIN) — needed to flag impaired waters.
Impaired waters and TMDL determination — pull the latest Florida 303(d) list.
Site map showing drainage patterns, outfalls, and locations of industrial activities.
A completed and signed SWPPP — the permit requires the SWPPP be in place before the NOI is signed.
Name and title of the duly authorized representative under 40 CFR 122.22.
$400 NOI fee paid by credit card, ACH, or check made payable to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Each missing item delays coverage. The permit only kicks in 2 days after DEP receives a complete NOI, so any defect resets that clock and means more days of unpermitted (and illegal) discharge.

Where to Get the Form and How to Access It

The official NOI is hosted on the Florida DEP Industrial Stormwater page as a fillable PDF and is also embedded inside the DEP Business Portal for online filing. Always pull a fresh copy on the day you file, because DEP occasionally pushes minor revisions without changing the form number.

The form number on the bottom right corner reads “DEP Form 62-621.300(5)(b) – Effective November 5, 2020.” If your copy shows an earlier effective date, throw it out and download the current one from the Florida Administrative Code rule page. Filing on a stale form is the #2 reason for NOI rejection in Florida.

Paper filers can also request the form by calling the DEP Industrial Wastewater Program at (850) 245-8589, and consultants who file regularly often keep both the PDF and the portal account login on file. The portal also stores prior NOIs for the same operator, which speeds up renewals at the 5-year mark.

Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out DEP Form 62-621.300(5)(b) Line by Line

The NOI is organized into eight sections (Section A through Section H). Work through them in order — fields cross-reference each other, and the certification at the end pulls answers from earlier boxes.

Section A.1 — Facility Name

The form asks for the legal name of the industrial site. Enter the exact business name as registered with Florida Sunbiz, in ALL CAPS, with no abbreviations like Inc. shortened to I. For example, MARIA LOPEZ SCRAP RECYCLING LLC is correct; M. Lopez Scrap is not.

If the facility operates under a fictitious name (DBA), put the legal entity name on this line and the DBA on Section A.2 (Operator). Common mistake: filers write the parent corporation rather than the local site name, which causes DEP to issue the permit to the wrong entity and creates a chain-of-title nightmare during a sale. Misconception: many filers think the facility name can match the property tax bill — DEP requires the operating entity name, not the landowner.

Section A.2 — Facility Street Address

Enter the physical street address where the industrial activity occurs, not a corporate mailing address or P.O. Box. Format the address as 1234 INDUSTRIAL DR, ORLANDO, FL 32801, including the 5-digit ZIP. For sites without a street number, use the nearest cross street and a written description (e.g., NE corner of CR-46A and Rinehart Rd, Sanford, FL).

If the site spans multiple parcels, list the address of the main entrance and attach a parcel map. Common mistake: using the corporate HQ address — DEP will mail inspection notices to the wrong place and the operator can miss a required corrective action deadline. Misconception: filers think a P.O. Box is acceptable for the facility line; it is only acceptable for the mailing address in Section A.6.

Section A.3 — Latitude and Longitude

The form asks for the geographic coordinates of the facility entrance in decimal degrees. Enter latitude as a positive number to 5 decimal places and longitude as a negative number (Florida is west of the prime meridian), like 28.53842, -81.37923. Do not use degrees-minutes-seconds; the portal validator rejects DMS format.

Pull coordinates from Google Maps by right-clicking the entrance pin, or from the DEP Map Direct tool for higher accuracy. Common mistake: dropping the negative sign on longitude — this places the site in Saudi Arabia and DEP returns the NOI. Misconception: filers think coordinates of the office trailer are acceptable; DEP wants the facility entrance so inspectors can find it.

Section A.4 — Primary SIC Code

Enter the 4-digit Standard Industrial Classification code that best describes the primary industrial activity at the site. Look up the code on the OSHA SIC Manual. For example, a scrap metal recycler enters 5093, a trucking terminal enters 4213, and a municipal landfill enters 4953.

If the site has multiple industrial activities, list the primary SIC on this line and any secondary SIC codes in Section A.5. Common mistake: using the NAICS code instead of SIC — DEP’s permit sectors are mapped to SIC, and a NAICS entry causes the system to assign the wrong sector. Misconception: filers think any related code works; DEP audits the SIC against the actual on-site activity, and a wrong code voids permit coverage.

Section A.5 — MSGP Sector

Check the box for the industrial sector that matches your primary SIC code, using Appendix D of the 2020 Florida MSGP. Sector N covers scrap recycling (SIC 5093), Sector P covers motor freight terminals (SIC 4212–4213), and Sector L covers landfills (SIC 4953).

If the facility has activities in more than one sector, check every applicable box and list each sector’s SIC code in Section A.4/A.5. Common mistake: checking Sector AD (non-classified) when a specific sector applies — Sector AD has different monitoring requirements and DEP will reissue the permit under the correct sector and back-bill monitoring. Misconception: filers think they can pick the sector with the lightest monitoring; the sector is dictated by SIC, not by preference.

Section B — Operator Information

This block captures the legal entity responsible for compliance. Enter the operator’s legal name, FEIN, mailing address, phone, and email. The operator is whoever has operational control of the site under 40 CFR 122.21(b) — usually the company running day-to-day operations, not the landlord.

Use the email of a real person who checks it daily, because DEP sends the permit acknowledgment letter and any deficiency notices to that address. Common mistake: listing a generic info@ mailbox that nobody reads, causing the operator to miss a deficiency notice and lose coverage. Misconception: filers assume the property owner is the operator; under federal rules, the entity with operational control files, even if it leases the site.

Section C — Receiving Waters

The form asks for the name of the surface water that ultimately receives the stormwater discharge and its WBID number. Look up the WBID on the DEP WIN database by entering the facility coordinates. Enter the waterbody name exactly as listed (e.g., Lake Monroe (WBID 2893A)).

If the discharge enters a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) before reaching surface water, list both the MS4 operator and the ultimate receiving water. Common mistake: writing “ditch behind site” instead of the named WBID — DEP rejects vague entries because impaired waters analysis depends on the WBID. Misconception: filers think discharge to an MS4 means no permit is needed; the MSGP still applies because MS4s discharge to waters of the state.

Section D — Impaired Waters and TMDLs

Check whether the receiving waterbody is on the Florida 303(d) impaired waters list and whether a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) has been adopted for the pollutants of concern in your sector. Use DEP Map Direct layered with the impaired waters layer to confirm.

If yes, check the box and list each impaired pollutant (e.g., nutrients, fecal coliform, lead). Common mistake: marking “no” without checking the current 303(d) list — DEP cross-references the WBID and rejects the NOI when the box is wrong. Misconception: filers think impaired-waters status only matters for new permits; renewals must re-verify because Florida updates the 303(d) list every two years.

Section E — Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) Certification

Check the box certifying that a SWPPP meeting Part 5 of the 2020 Florida MSGP is prepared and on site before the NOI is signed. The SWPPP itself does not get mailed in, but DEP can demand it within 14 days during an inspection.

Enter the date the SWPPP was completed in MM/DD/YYYY format. Common mistake: signing the NOI before the SWPPP is finalized — this is a federal certification offense under 18 U.S.C. §1001 and carries criminal exposure beyond the civil permit penalties. Misconception: filers think a generic template SWPPP works; DEP requires a site-specific SWPPP with actual drainage maps and BMPs.

Section F — Endangered Species and Historic Properties

Certify that the facility’s stormwater discharges and control measures will not adversely affect federally listed species under the Endangered Species Act or historic properties under the National Historic Preservation Act §106. Most Florida industrial sites use Criterion A (no listed species or critical habitat in the action area) based on the USFWS IPaC tool.

Attach the IPaC official species list as documentation. Common mistake: skipping this section because “we’ve operated here for years” — every NOI must have a fresh ESA determination, and DEP rejects unchecked boxes. Misconception: filers think only new construction triggers ESA review; the MSGP requires the certification at every NOI filing, including renewals.

Section G — Permit Fee

Enter the $400 NOI fee payment method: ACH, credit card (portal only), or check. Online filers pay through the DEP Business Portal at the time of submission. Paper filers attach a check made payable to Florida Department of Environmental Protection with the NOI.

Write the facility name and SIC code on the check memo line so DEP can match the payment to the NOI. Common mistake: sending the NOI without the fee — DEP returns it and the 2-day clock never starts. Misconception: filers think the $400 annual fee under F.A.C. 62-4.052 is included; it is billed separately every year on the anniversary of permit issuance.

Section H — Certification and Signature

The certification language tracks 40 CFR 122.22(d) and must be signed by a responsible corporate officer, general partner, sole proprietor, or a duly authorized representative who has been delegated in writing. Print the name, title, signature, and date in MM/DD/YYYY format.

Online filers e-sign through the portal’s identity-verified account; paper filers sign in blue ink. Common mistake: an environmental manager signs without a written delegation letter on file — this voids the permit because the signature is legally invalid. Misconception: filers think any manager can sign; only the four categories above qualify, and “duly authorized representative” requires a written delegation kept with the SWPPP.

Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios

Scenario 1 — Maria Lopez, Scrap Metal Recycler (Sector N)

Form Section	What Maria Enters
A.1 Facility Name	MARIA LOPEZ SCRAP RECYCLING LLC
A.2 Address	1450 W Industrial Dr, Orlando, FL 32805
A.3 Lat/Long	28.53842, -81.37923
A.4 Primary SIC	5093
A.5 MSGP Sector	Sector N – Scrap Recycling and Waste Recycling Facilities
C Receiving Water	Shingle Creek (WBID 3169)
D Impaired Waters	Yes — nutrients, fecal coliform
E SWPPP Date	09/15/2026
G Fee	$400 paid via portal ACH
H Signature	Maria Lopez, Managing Member, 09/20/2026

Scenario 2 — Marcus Chen, Trucking Terminal Operator (Sector P)

Form Section	What Marcus Enters
A.1 Facility Name	CHEN FREIGHT TERMINALS INC
A.2 Address	2200 Port Logistics Way, Jacksonville, FL 32226
A.3 Lat/Long	30.39651, -81.55834
A.4 Primary SIC	4213
A.5 MSGP Sector	Sector P – Motor Freight Transportation
C Receiving Water	St. Johns River (WBID 2213A)
D Impaired Waters	Yes — fecal coliform, dissolved oxygen
E SWPPP Date	07/01/2026
G Fee	$400 paid via corporate check
H Signature	Marcus Chen, President, 07/05/2026

Scenario 3 — Janet Pierce, Municipal Landfill Manager (Sector L)

Form Section	What Janet Enters
A.1 Facility Name	SEMINOLE COUNTY CENTRAL LANDFILL
A.2 Address	1930 E Osceola Rd, Geneva, FL 32732
A.3 Lat/Long	28.74112, -81.10456
A.4 Primary SIC	4953
A.5 MSGP Sector	Sector L – Landfills, Land Application Sites, Open Dumps
C Receiving Water	Econlockhatchee River (WBID 2986)
D Impaired Waters	Yes — nutrients (TMDL adopted 2018)
E SWPPP Date	03/12/2026
G Fee	$400 paid via county ACH
H Signature	Janet Pierce, Solid Waste Director (Duly Authorized Rep), 03/18/2026

How to File the Completed Form

Florida accepts the NOI through three channels, and the channel you choose affects how fast coverage starts. The fastest is the DEP Business Portal, which timestamps the submission instantly and starts the 2-day coverage clock the moment payment clears.

Online portal: https://www.fldepportal.com — pay by credit card or ACH; processing 2 business days; download the email confirmation as proof of filing.
Mail: Florida DEP, NPDES Stormwater Section, 2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 2500, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400; check payable to Florida Department of Environmental Protection; processing 10–15 business days; keep certified-mail return receipt as proof.
In person: Same Tallahassee address during business hours; pay by check or money order; receive a date-stamped copy on the spot as proof.

Coverage under the MSGP becomes effective 2 days after DEP receives a complete NOI under F.A.C. 62-621.300(5)(c). Save the confirmation email or stamped copy in the SWPPP binder — inspectors ask to see it first during any compliance visit.

What Happens After You File

Within 10 business days of receiving a complete NOI, DEP issues an acknowledgment letter with the permit tracking number (format FLR05XXXX). That number goes on every Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR), every annual report, and every fee invoice for the next 5 years.

If the NOI has defects, DEP issues a Request for Additional Information (RAI) and the operator has 30 days to cure under F.A.C. 62-4.055. Missing the RAI deadline kills the application and the operator must re-file from scratch and pay a new $400 fee.

Once coverage is active, the operator must conduct quarterly visual monitoring, benchmark monitoring per the sector’s table in the 2020 MSGP, and submit annual reports through the portal. The permit expires after 5 years, and the operator must file a renewal NOI at least 90 days before expiration to keep coverage continuous.

Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form

Wrong SIC code — assigns the wrong sector and voids monitoring requirements.
Missing negative sign on longitude — places the site outside the U.S. and triggers automatic rejection.
Generic SWPPP template — fails the site-specific requirement and exposes the operator to enforcement.
Signing without a delegation letter — voids the permit because the signature is unauthorized.
P.O. Box in the facility address line — DEP rejects because inspectors cannot find the site.
Skipping impaired waters check — triggers a deficiency notice and adds 30+ days to coverage.
Filing on a stale form — DEP rejects any version before November 5, 2020.
Forgetting the $400 fee — the 2-day coverage clock never starts without payment.
Listing the landlord as operator — shifts liability incorrectly and confuses enforcement.
Using NAICS instead of SIC — DEP’s sector mapping is SIC-based, so the wrong code is assigned.
Missing the WBID number — vague waterbody descriptions are auto-rejected.
No NOT filed at closure — annual fees keep running and liability stays with the operator.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s

Do pull a fresh form on filing day to catch any silent revision.
Do verify your SIC code against the OSHA SIC Manual before checking any sector box.
Do finalize and date the SWPPP before signing the NOI, since the certification is sworn under penalty of perjury.
Do save the portal confirmation email in the SWPPP binder for inspector review.
Do calendar the 5-year renewal date the day coverage starts, because Florida does not send reminders.
Do keep written delegation letters on file for any non-officer who signs.

Don’ts

Don’t use a P.O. Box for the facility address — only for the mailing address.
Don’t copy a SWPPP from another site, since DEP requires site-specific drainage maps and BMPs.
Don’t assume MS4 discharge means no permit needed — the MSGP still applies.
Don’t mail the SWPPP with the NOI; DEP only wants the certification, not the document.
Don’t wait until the discharge starts to file — coverage takes 2 days minimum.
Don’t ignore RAI deadlines, since missing 30 days kills the application.

Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With a Consultant

Pros of Filing Pro Se

Saves the $1,500–$4,000 consultant fee typical for a Florida MSGP NOI package.
Forces the operator to learn the SWPPP, which improves daily compliance.
Faster turnaround when the operator already has SIC, WBID, and coordinates on hand.
Direct portal access lets the operator amend the NOI quickly when activities change.
Builds an internal compliance record that supports future audits.

Cons of Filing Pro Se

Higher risk of SIC or sector errors that void coverage.
SWPPP drafting requires civil-engineering judgment for drainage and BMPs.
Impaired waters and TMDL analysis is technical and easy to miss.
ESA/IPaC determinations are unfamiliar to most operators.
Mistakes can cost more in penalties than the consultant fee saved.

Comparing Online Portal Filing vs. Paper Filing

Filing Channel	Key Differences
Online via DEP Business Portal	Instant timestamp, 2-day coverage, credit card or ACH, stored history for renewals
Paper by mail	10–15 day processing, check payment only, certified-mail receipt as proof, no stored history

FAQs

Do I need this permit if my facility only discharges to a city storm drain?

Yes. MS4s discharge to waters of the state, so the 2020 Florida MSGP still applies under F.A.C. 62-621.300(5).

Can I file a No Exposure Certification instead of the NOI?

Yes. If no industrial materials or activities are exposed to stormwater, file Form 62-621.300(6) and pay a one-time $100 fee.

Is the $400 NOI fee a one-time charge?

No. The $400 is the initial NOI fee, and a separate $400 annual fee is billed every year on the anniversary under F.A.C. 62-4.052.

Do I write my SIC code or NAICS code in Section A.4?

Yes, SIC only. DEP’s sector mapping is SIC-based, and a NAICS entry causes wrong-sector assignment and rejection.

Can I leave Section D blank if I’m not sure about impaired waters?

No. A blank box is treated as “no” and triggers an RAI. Use DEP Map Direct to confirm before signing.

Does the Section H signature require a notary?

No. Florida MSGP follows 40 CFR 122.22, which requires a sworn certification but no notary.

Can my environmental manager sign in Section H?

Yes, but only with a written delegation letter from a corporate officer kept on file at the facility per 40 CFR 122.22(b).

Do I list the property owner or the operator in Section B?

No, not the owner unless the owner also operates. The operator is the entity with operational control under 40 CFR 122.21(b).

Is the SWPPP submitted with the NOI?

No. Only the certification is submitted. The SWPPP stays at the facility but must be produced within 14 days of any DEP request.

Can I use coordinates from Google Maps in Section A.3?

Yes. Use decimal degrees to 5 decimal places and remember the negative sign on longitude.

How long does coverage take to start?

Yes, quickly — coverage begins 2 days after DEP receives a complete NOI with payment under F.A.C. 62-621.300(5)(c).

Do I have to renew the permit?

Yes. File a renewal NOI at least 90 days before the 5-year expiration to keep coverage continuous; otherwise discharge becomes unpermitted.

Can I terminate coverage when I close the facility?

Yes. File a Notice of Termination on Form 62-621.300(7) to stop the annual fee and end liability.

Does Florida charge penalties for late NOI filing?

Yes. Civil penalties up to $10,000 per day under Florida Statute 403.161, plus federal exposure up to $64,618 per day under the Clean Water Act.

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