The Texas TCEQ TPDES Industrial Stormwater Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP), numbered TXR050000, is the authorization every industrial facility in Texas needs before stormwater that touches industrial activities can leave the site and reach a water body. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) issues this permit under its delegated authority from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the current version was reissued on August 14, 2021, with an expiration date of August 14, 2026.
If you run a covered facility and do not file the Notice of Intent (NOI) at least 7 days before you discharge, you risk daily civil penalties of up to $25,000 under Texas Water Code §26.121. According to TCEQ enforcement data, more than 8,000 Texas industrial sites currently hold coverage under TXR050000, and TCEQ reports that nearly 30% of new NOI submissions are returned for correction because of errors in sector codes, outfall data, or receiving water information.
Here is what this guide will give you:
- 📋 A line-by-line walkthrough of the NOI, NEC, NOC, NOT, and SWP3 documents.
- 🏭 The 30 industrial sectors covered under the MSGP and how to pick yours.
- 💧 How to find your receiving water, segment ID, and impaired-water status.
- 💵 The current fee structure, deadlines, and penalty exposure.
- 🛠️ Three full filer scenarios with what each person types into every key field.
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
The TPDES Industrial Stormwater Permit is a general permit that lets many facilities share a single authorization rather than each applying for an individual permit. The TPDES program is the Texas version of the federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). The EPA delegated NPDES authority to TCEQ in 1998, which means TCEQ now writes, issues, and enforces these permits inside Texas while the EPA keeps oversight.
You must file under TXR050000 if your facility falls into one of the 30 industrial sectors listed in Appendix D of the TXR050000 permit document. These sectors include Sector A (timber), Sector C (chemicals), Sector E (clay, glass, concrete), Sector K (hazardous waste treatment), Sector M (auto salvage), Sector N (scrap recycling), Sector P (land transportation), Sector S (air transportation), Sector AA (fabricated metal), and many more. Each sector has its own benchmark pollutants and monitoring rules.
The agency that receives your filing is TCEQ’s Stormwater & Pretreatment Team in Austin, and the statute behind the program is Texas Water Code Chapter 26, backed by the federal Clean Water Act §402. If your site has no exposure of industrial materials or activities to rain, snow, or runoff, you may file a No Exposure Certification (NEC) instead of a full NOI. The NEC is cheaper, simpler, and lasts five years, but it requires you to certify that everything industrial stays under a roof or otherwise sheltered.
Facilities that ignore the rule risk enforcement orders, agreed orders, and citizen suits under the federal Clean Water Act. TCEQ’s enforcement database shows that industrial stormwater violations routinely produce penalties between $5,000 and $75,000 per case, and repeat violators have faced six-figure settlements.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather everything below before you log in to STEERS or print the paper NOI. Stopping mid-application to hunt for a SIC code or a receiving water segment is the most common reason filers make mistakes. Every item on this checklist matters because TCEQ matches each entry against state and federal databases.
- Customer Number (CN) and Regulated Entity Number (RN) from TCEQ’s Central Registry. Without these, the NOI cannot be processed. New filers must request them first.
- Primary SIC code (4 digits) describing the facility’s main industrial activity. The wrong code routes your NOI to the wrong sector and triggers a return.
- MSGP Sector letter (A through AD) that matches your SIC code. Some SIC codes map to more than one sector, so confirm with Appendix D.
- Latitude and longitude of the site entrance, in decimal degrees to at least four decimals. TCEQ uses these to map your discharge against impaired waters.
- Receiving water name and Segment ID from the Texas Surface Water Quality Standards. A wrong segment ID misroutes the discharge analysis.
- Operator legal name, mailing address, and contact information for the person who controls day-to-day operations. The operator (not the owner) signs the NOI.
- Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWP3) completed and signed. You do not submit it, but TCEQ can inspect it any day after you file.
- Payment method for the $100 application fee and the $100 annual water quality fee. Electronic check, credit card, or paper check are all accepted.
- MS4 operator name if your discharge enters a municipal separate storm sewer system. You must notify the MS4 in writing.
- Endangered Species Act and National Historic Preservation Act screening results. The MSGP requires both before submission.
Missing any one of these items will either stop the STEERS submission cold or cause a paper NOI to come back stamped deficient.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official NOI, NEC, NOC, and NOT forms live on TCEQ’s Industrial Stormwater Forms page. The current NOI is TCEQ Form 20022, the NEC is Form 20023, the Notice of Change (NOC) is Form 20024, and the Notice of Termination (NOT) is Form 20025. Each form has a revision date printed in the bottom corner. As of the 2021 permit cycle, the controlling revision is dated 06/2021.
The fastest filing channel is the State of Texas Environmental Electronic Reporting System (STEERS), TCEQ’s online portal. You create a STEERS account, link it to your CN, and submit the NOI inside the EPR_SW module. STEERS gives you an instant confirmation number and a PDF of your submitted NOI.
Paper filing is still allowed. You download the PDF, fill it in by hand or in Adobe, and mail the signed original with payment to TCEQ, Office of Water, MC 228, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, TX 78711-3087. Paper filings take 30 to 45 days to process, while STEERS filings typically post within 7 to 10 business days.
TCEQ also publishes a free guidance document, RG-678 Industrial Stormwater Guidance, which walks through the form and includes worked examples. Print it and keep it next to the NOI while you fill out the form. Federal counterparts at the EPA NPDES Industrial Stormwater page explain how TPDES mirrors and slightly differs from the federal MSGP.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out TXR050000 NOI Line by Line
The NOI has eight major sections and roughly forty discrete fields. Work through them in order. Every field below gets its own walkthrough so nothing slips by.
Section 1, Box 1: Reason for Submission
This box asks why you are sending the NOI today. You check one option: new permit, renewal, or change of operator. New facilities and first-time filers check new permit. Facilities continuing coverage at the 2026 reissuance check renewal. If a company sale or operator change happened, check change of operator.
Example entry: Maria Lopez, who just opened a metal stamping shop in Houston, checks new permit. A common mistake is to check renewal when the facility is actually a brand new operation, which causes TCEQ to look for a prior authorization number that does not exist and return the NOI. A misconception filers carry is that buying an existing facility means renewal; it does not, because the prior operator’s coverage does not transfer automatically and you must file as a change of operator.
Section 1, Box 2: Existing Authorization Number
This field asks for the current TXR05#### number if the facility already has coverage. New filers leave this blank. Renewal filers and change-of-operator filers must enter the existing number exactly as printed on the original authorization letter.
For example, Carlos Rivera writes TXR05A123 for his San Antonio concrete plant renewing under the 2026 cycle. Format the number with no spaces or dashes. The most common mistake is transposing digits, which causes TCEQ to attach your NOI to another facility’s file. A misconception is that the EPA NPDES ID is the same as the TXR05 number; it is not, and using the EPA ID here will trigger a deficiency letter.
Section 2, Box 3: Customer Number (CN)
The Customer Number identifies the legal entity that operates the facility, not the physical site. You get it from TCEQ’s Central Registry by searching the legal business name. The number is nine digits, prefixed with CN.
Maria Lopez’s stamping shop, owned by Lopez Metalworks LLC, has Customer Number CN603214789. Edge case: if the operator just incorporated and has no CN yet, you must request one through the Central Registry before STEERS will let you submit. A common mistake is to enter the parent company’s CN when a subsidiary actually operates the site, which causes signature authority problems later. A misconception is that the CN belongs to the property; it belongs to the company, and it follows the company across sites.
Section 2, Box 4: Regulated Entity Number (RN)
The RN identifies the physical site. One RN per address. You also find it in the Central Registry, and it is prefixed with RN.
Carlos Rivera’s San Antonio concrete plant has RN RN102558743. If the site is brand new, request the RN at the same time as the CN. The most common mistake is reusing an RN from a closed facility at the same address, which links the new operator to old enforcement history. A misconception is that the RN can be left blank for new sites; it cannot, because STEERS validates every NOI against an active RN.
Section 3, Box 5: Operator Legal Name
Enter the full legal name of the entity that controls daily operations at the site. The name must match the Texas Secretary of State or IRS filing exactly, including LLC, Inc., or L.P.
Example: Lopez Metalworks LLC, not Lopez Metalworks. Edge case: sole proprietors enter the owner’s full legal name followed by d/b/a [trade name]. A common mistake is dropping the entity suffix, which can void the certification because the signer’s authority depends on the legal entity name. A misconception is that operator means owner; under the MSGP, operator is whoever has day-to-day operational control, which is often a tenant or contractor.
Section 3, Box 6: Operator Mailing Address
This is the address where TCEQ mails official correspondence. It can be a P.O. Box, an out-of-state corporate office, or the site itself.
Lopez Metalworks LLC, 4400 North Loop W, Suite 220, Houston, TX 77092. Edge case: foreign-domiciled operators must include the country and an English-language address. A common mistake is listing the consultant’s address here, which sends compliance notices to a third party who may not forward them in time. A misconception is that this must match the physical site; it does not.
Section 4, Box 7: Site Name
Enter the common name of the physical facility. This is the name used in TCEQ inspections and benchmark reports.
Lopez Metalworks Houston Stamping Plant is the entry for Maria’s shop. Edge case: multi-tenant industrial parks must include a unit or building designation. A common mistake is using marketing names that do not match local signage, which slows down TCEQ inspectors. A misconception is that the site name must match the operator name; the two are usually different.
Section 4, Box 8: Physical Site Address
Enter the street address where the industrial activity happens. A P.O. Box is not allowed here.
4400 North Loop W, Houston, TX 77092. Edge case: if the site has no street number, use the nearest cross-street description and pair it with the latitude and longitude in Box 10. A common mistake is entering the mailing address instead of the physical address, which makes the impaired-waters mapping fail. A misconception is that the physical address can be a rural route; TCEQ now requires a 911-style address whenever one exists.
Section 4, Box 9: County
Pick the Texas county where the site sits. STEERS uses a dropdown; the paper form uses a text box.
Harris is Maria’s entry. Edge case: sites that straddle a county line list the county where the discharge outfall is located. A common mistake is picking the county where the operator’s headquarters is, not the site. A misconception is that the county determines fees; it does not, but it does determine which TCEQ regional office handles inspections.
Section 4, Box 10: Latitude and Longitude
Enter the coordinates of the main facility entrance in decimal degrees, with at least four decimal places. Positive numbers for latitude (Texas is north of the equator) and negative numbers for longitude (Texas is west of the prime meridian).
29.8456, -95.4621. Edge case: very large sites should use the geographic center, not the gate, and note that choice in the SWP3. A common mistake is reversing the signs, which places the site in another hemisphere and triggers a STEERS validation error. A misconception is that GPS from a phone is precise enough; the TCEQ Surface Water Quality Viewer gives a more accurate reading for matching against impaired water segments.
Section 5, Box 11: Primary SIC Code
Enter the 4-digit Standard Industrial Classification code that best describes the primary activity at the site. The U.S. Department of Labor publishes the official list at OSHA SIC search.
Maria’s metal stamping shop uses 3469 (Metal Stampings, Not Elsewhere Classified). Edge case: facilities with multiple activities pick the code that generates the most revenue, not the one with the most stormwater exposure. A common mistake is using a NAICS code instead of a SIC code, which STEERS rejects immediately. A misconception is that SIC codes are obsolete; the federal MSGP and TPDES still rely on SIC, even though the rest of the federal government uses NAICS.
Section 5, Box 12: MSGP Sector and Subsector
Match your SIC code to a sector letter using Appendix D of TXR050000. Sectors run from A (Timber) to AD (Non-Classified Facilities).
Maria’s SIC 3469 maps to Sector AA, Subsector AA1 (Fabricated Metal Products). Edge case: some SIC codes appear under more than one sector; pick the one that matches the actual processes, not just the product. A common mistake is choosing Sector AD as a catch-all to avoid sector-specific monitoring; TCEQ audits AD filings and reassigns them. A misconception is that the sector only affects monitoring; it also controls which benchmark pollutants apply and how often you sample.
Section 6, Box 13: Receiving Water Name and Segment ID
Identify the first named water body that receives your stormwater, and list its Segment ID from the Texas Surface Water Quality Standards.
Maria’s site drains to White Oak Bayou, Segment 1017. Edge case: if the stormwater enters an unnamed ditch first, follow the ditch downstream until you hit a named segment. A common mistake is listing the ditch and stopping there, which produces an incomplete impaired-waters analysis. A misconception is that drainage into an MS4 lets you skip this field; you must still list the ultimate receiving water.
Section 6, Box 14: Discharge to Impaired Water (303(d))
Check yes or no depending on whether the receiving segment is on the latest Texas 303(d) List of Impaired Waters. If yes, list the impairing pollutants.
White Oak Bayou Segment 1017 is impaired for bacteria, so Maria checks yes and enters bacteria. Edge case: a downstream segment may be impaired even if your immediate receiving water is not, and the MSGP still treats that as a discharge to an impaired water. A common mistake is checking no without consulting the 303(d) list, which voids the certification. A misconception is that an impaired-water discharge bars coverage; it does not, but it does trigger extra monitoring and a no-net-loading demonstration.
Section 7, Box 15: MS4 Operator Notification
If your discharge enters a municipal separate storm sewer system, list the MS4 operator and the date you sent them written notice of your NOI.
Maria’s stormwater enters the City of Houston MS4, so she enters City of Houston Public Works, notice mailed 03/02/2026. Edge case: some MS4s require their own permit application in addition to TCEQ notice. A common mistake is skipping this field when the stormwater actually does enter an MS4, which exposes the operator to a separate enforcement action by the city. A misconception is that emailing the MS4 counts as written notice; many MS4s require certified mail.
Section 8, Box 16: Operator Certification and Signature
This block must be signed by a responsible corporate officer, a general partner, a sole proprietor, or a ranking elected official. Title 30 Texas Administrative Code §305.44 controls who qualifies.
Maria, as managing member of Lopez Metalworks LLC, signs and dates 03/05/2026. Edge case: a delegated signatory is allowed only if the delegation is in writing and submitted to TCEQ before the NOI. A common mistake is letting the consultant or the site EHS coordinator sign without delegation paperwork, which voids the entire NOI. A misconception is that an electronic STEERS signature is less binding than ink; it carries identical legal weight under 30 TAC Chapter 281.
How to Fill Out the No Exposure Certification (NEC)
The NEC, Form 20023, is for facilities that keep all industrial materials and activities under cover, with no exposure to precipitation or runoff. The NEC has 11 yes/no questions about specific exposure scenarios: outdoor storage, material handling, waste piles, vehicle fueling, and so on. You must answer no to all 11 to qualify.
A common mistake is checking no exposure when a forklift refueling station sits outside; that single activity disqualifies the entire facility. The fee is $100 and the certification lasts five years, after which you must recertify. The NEC is submitted through STEERS under the same EPR_SW module as the NOI.
How to Fill Out the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWP3)
The SWP3 is not submitted to TCEQ, but you must keep it on site and produce it within 14 days of any TCEQ request. The plan must include a site map, a list of pollutant sources, control measures, inspection schedules, monitoring procedures, employee training records, and the SWP3 team roster.
The plan is signed by the same person who signs the NOI and must be updated whenever site conditions change. A common mistake is treating the SWP3 as a one-and-done document; in reality, every benchmark exceedance, new outfall, or operational change requires a written update. The most useful SWP3 template is in Appendix B of RG-678.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
The three filers below show how the NOI looks for very different industries. Each table walks through the most important fields.
Scenario 1: Maria Lopez, Metal Stamping Shop, Houston (Sector AA)
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Reason for Submission | New permit |
| Customer Number | CN603214789 |
| Regulated Entity Number | RN102558743 |
| Operator Legal Name | Lopez Metalworks LLC |
| Physical Site Address | 4400 North Loop W, Houston, TX 77092 |
| Latitude / Longitude | 29.8456, -95.4621 |
| Primary SIC Code | 3469 |
| Sector / Subsector | Sector AA, Subsector AA1 |
| Receiving Water / Segment | White Oak Bayou, Segment 1017 |
| Impaired Water? | Yes, bacteria |
Scenario 2: Carlos Rivera, Concrete Batch Plant, San Antonio (Sector E)
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| Reason for Submission | Renewal |
| Existing Authorization | TXR05A123 |
| Customer Number | CN601118822 |
| Regulated Entity Number | RN100456221 |
| Operator Legal Name | Rivera Ready-Mix Inc. |
| Physical Site Address | 1820 S Zarzamora St, San Antonio, TX 78207 |
| Latitude / Longitude | 29.3956, -98.5187 |
| Primary SIC Code | 3273 |
| Sector / Subsector | Sector E, Subsector E2 |
| Receiving Water / Segment | San Antonio River, Segment 1911 |
| MS4 Operator | City of San Antonio, notice mailed 02/14/2026 |
Scenario 3: Janet Park, Scrap Metal Recycler, Dallas (Sector N)
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Reason for Submission | Change of operator |
| Existing Authorization | TXR05N456 |
| Customer Number | CN605998112 |
| Regulated Entity Number | RN104221987 |
| Operator Legal Name | Park Recycling Partners L.P. |
| Physical Site Address | 5500 Singleton Blvd, Dallas, TX 75212 |
| Latitude / Longitude | 32.7710, -96.8632 |
| Primary SIC Code | 5093 |
| Sector / Subsector | Sector N, Subsector N1 |
| Receiving Water / Segment | Trinity River, Segment 0805 |
| Impaired Water? | Yes, PCBs and bacteria |
How to File the Completed Form
Texas accepts three filing channels for the NOI, NEC, NOC, and NOT. Pick the one that matches your timing and resources.
- STEERS online portal. Log in at STEERS. Fee: $100 application + $100 annual water quality fee. Payment: ACH or credit card. Processing time: 7 to 10 business days. Proof of filing: STEERS confirmation number and downloadable PDF. This is the only channel that gives same-day confirmation.
- Paper by mail. Send the signed NOI to TCEQ, Office of Water, MC 228, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, TX 78711-3087. Fee: same $100 + $100. Payment: paper check or money order made out to TCEQ. Processing time: 30 to 45 days. Proof of filing: USPS certified-mail green card. Always send certified mail with return receipt requested.
- Paper in person. Hand-deliver to TCEQ, 12100 Park 35 Circle, Austin, TX 78753. Same fees and payment methods as mail. Processing time: 14 to 21 days. Proof of filing: date-stamped copy from the front desk. Bring two copies so one comes back stamped.
Fax filing is not accepted for the NOI. Annual water quality fees are billed each year on the anniversary of authorization and paid through the TCEQ ePay system.
What Happens After You File
After STEERS accepts the NOI, TCEQ runs an administrative review that checks for completeness, payment, and signature authority. If everything is in order, TCEQ issues an Acknowledgment Letter with your TXR05 authorization number, usually within 10 business days for online filings.
You can begin discharging on the date listed in the Acknowledgment Letter, but in practice coverage begins 7 days after a complete NOI is received, even if the letter has not arrived. From that day forward, you must follow every term of TXR050000, including quarterly visual inspections, annual comprehensive site inspections, benchmark monitoring for your sector, and the recordkeeping rules in Part V of the permit.
If TCEQ finds a deficiency, you get a Notice of Deficiency letter giving you 30 days to fix the problem. Ignoring it leads to a formal denial and possible enforcement. You can check your authorization status anytime through the TCEQ Central Registry.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Picking the wrong SIC code. Routes your NOI to the wrong sector and forces a full resubmission.
- Confusing operator and owner. The wrong signer voids the certification and exposes the company to penalties.
- Skipping the 303(d) impaired-waters check. Triggers an enforcement action for unauthorized discharge to an impaired water.
- Forgetting MS4 notice. Creates a separate violation under the municipal stormwater program.
- Using NAICS instead of SIC. STEERS rejects the submission instantly.
- Entering the mailing address as the site address. Makes the geographic and impaired-waters analyses fail.
- Reversing latitude and longitude signs. Places the site outside Texas and stops STEERS validation.
- Letting an unauthorized person sign. Voids the entire NOI under 30 TAC §305.44.
- Missing the 7-day pre-discharge window. Exposes the operator to daily penalties under Texas Water Code §26.121.
- Treating the SWP3 as optional. TCEQ inspectors ask for it on every site visit, and failure to produce it is a stand-alone violation.
- Forgetting the annual water quality fee. TCEQ suspends authorization for non-payment after 60 days.
- Filing an NEC when outdoor activity exists. A single uncovered process disqualifies the entire facility and triggers a back-coverage demand.
Do’s and Don’ts
- Do confirm the form revision date before you start so you use the current version, because TCEQ rejects superseded forms.
- Do screen for endangered species and historic properties under the MSGP’s federal cross-cutters, because failure to do so voids coverage.
- Do keep certified-mail green cards and STEERS confirmation pages for the full five-year permit term, because they are the only proof of timely filing.
- Do train every employee listed on the SWP3 team each year, because training records are a separate inspection item.
- Do update the NOI through a Notice of Change within 30 days of any operator, contact, or activity change.
-
Do read the sector-specific Part of TXR050000 carefully, because benchmark monitoring varies sharply by sector.
-
Don’t sign the NOI as a consultant unless you hold written delegation, because unauthorized signatures void the certification.
- Don’t assume MS4 coverage means you can skip the receiving-water field, because TCEQ still needs the ultimate water body.
- Don’t combine multiple sites into one NOI, because each physical site requires its own RN and NOI.
- Don’t rely on a phone GPS for the lat/long, because the precision is often too low for impaired-water mapping.
- Don’t wait until day 6 to file, because STEERS outages and payment failures can push you past the 7-day threshold.
- Don’t discard the original SWP3 after updating it, because TCEQ inspectors often ask for the audit trail.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
- Pro of filing on your own: You save $1,500 to $5,000 in consultant fees, which matters most for small facilities.
- Pro of filing on your own: You learn the permit language firsthand, which makes inspections less stressful.
- Pro of filing on your own: STEERS gives instant confirmation, so you control timing.
- Pro of filing on your own: You build the SWP3 with site knowledge a consultant may not have.
-
Pro of filing on your own: You avoid the lag time that comes with outside firms during their busy renewal season.
-
Con of filing on your own: Sector and SIC code mistakes are easy and costly to fix.
- Con of filing on your own: Receiving-water and 303(d) analyses are technical and take training to do right.
- Con of filing on your own: A bad SWP3 leaves the facility exposed during inspections.
- Con of filing on your own: Federal cross-cutter screenings (ESA and NHPA) confuse most first-time filers.
- Con of filing on your own: Benchmark monitoring strategy is hard to design without experience.
Federal Interaction with the EPA MSGP
TCEQ runs TPDES under EPA delegation, which means TXR050000 covers most Texas industrial sites in place of the federal EPA Multi-Sector General Permit. The two permits are similar but not identical. TPDES adds Texas-specific requirements, such as the Texas Surface Water Quality Standards and the segment-based receiving-water structure.
A handful of sites in Texas still need the federal MSGP rather than TPDES, mainly facilities on tribal lands, federal enclaves, and certain oil and gas operations. Those filers go through the EPA NeT system. For everyone else, the TCEQ NOI is the only filing that matters.
TXR050000 vs. Construction Stormwater (TXR150000)
Many filers confuse the two Texas stormwater general permits. The table below shows the difference.
| Topic | TXR050000 (Industrial) vs. TXR150000 (Construction) |
|---|---|
| Trigger | Industrial activity at a fixed site vs. land disturbance of one or more acres |
| Form | NOI Form 20022 vs. NOI Form 20022-CON |
| Duration | Until permit expires (5 years) vs. Until final stabilization |
| Monitoring | Sector-specific benchmarks vs. Visual inspections only |
| Fee | $100 application + $100 annual vs. $325 large site, $225 small site |
FAQs
Do I need a permit if my facility is fully indoors?
No. If every industrial activity and material is fully sheltered, you may file a No Exposure Certification (NEC) instead of an NOI, and the $100 fee covers a five-year term.
Does the 7-day rule run from the day I file or the day TCEQ accepts?
No. The 7-day window runs from the day TCEQ receives a complete NOI, not from the date you sign or mail it, so build in extra time for STEERS or postal delays.
Can I list a P.O. Box in Box 8 for the physical site address?
No. TCEQ requires a 911-style street address or, for unaddressed sites, a precise latitude-and-longitude pair backed by a written location description.
Do I enter the parent company’s CN in Box 3?
No. Enter the Customer Number of the entity that actually operates the site day to day, because signature authority and enforcement attach to that entity.
Is the EPA NPDES ID acceptable in Box 2?
No. Box 2 takes only the TXR05 authorization number; entering an EPA ID causes an automatic deficiency notice.
Do I need to submit my SWP3 with the NOI?
No. The SWP3 stays on site and must be produced within 14 days of any TCEQ request, but you do not mail or upload it.
Can my consultant sign the NOI for me?
No. Only a responsible corporate officer, general partner, sole proprietor, or ranking elected official may sign unless written delegation is filed with TCEQ first.
Is discharge to an impaired water automatically barred?
No. Coverage is still available, but you must run added monitoring and demonstrate no net loading of the impairing pollutant.
Do I file a separate NOI for each outfall?
No. One NOI covers the whole site and all its outfalls, but the SWP3 must describe each outfall separately.
Is the annual water quality fee billed automatically?
Yes. TCEQ sends an invoice each year on the anniversary of authorization, and non-payment within 60 days suspends coverage.
Can I file the NOI on the same day I plan to discharge?
No. You must file at least 7 days before any discharge begins, or you risk daily penalties under Texas Water Code §26.121.
Do I write my SIC code in Box 11 or my NAICS code?
No NAICS. Box 11 takes the 4-digit SIC code only; using NAICS triggers an immediate STEERS rejection.
Does selling the facility transfer the permit automatically?
No. The new operator must file a change of operator NOI within 10 days of the sale, or the site loses coverage.
Is the NEC available to facilities with outdoor fueling?
No. Even a single outdoor fueling station disqualifies the entire site from no-exposure status.
Do I need to notify the MS4 if my discharge enters a city storm drain?
Yes. Written notice to the MS4 operator is required before the NOI is filed, and many MS4s require certified mail.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Florida DEP NPDES Industrial Stormwater Permit + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Texas TCEQ Aboveground Storage Tank Notification + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Texas TCEQ Construction Stormwater Permit + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Texas TCEQ Petroleum Storage Tank Registration + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Texas TCEQ Public Water System Registration + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan EGLE NPDES Industrial Stormwater Permit + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Washington Ecology Water Quality Modification Permit + FAQs