The Virginia VPDES Construction Stormwater Permit, known as the VAR10 Construction General Permit (CGP), is the state permit that lets you legally discharge stormwater from a construction site that disturbs one acre or more of land. You apply for coverage by filing a document called the Construction General Permit Registration Statement with either your local program or the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The current permit cycle runs from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2029, so you want to make sure you are using the 2024 Registration Statement version.
If you break ground on a one-acre site without this coverage, you are discharging pollutants without a permit. That can lead to stop-work orders, civil penalties, and daily fines under the Clean Water Act and Virginia law. Getting the form right the first time keeps your project moving and your wallet safe. Virginia issues thousands of these permits each year, and even a single wrong acreage figure or a missing HUC code can bounce your application back and stall your start date by weeks.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📋 What the VAR10 permit is, who must file it, and which projects are exempt
- 🗂️ Every document and number you must gather before you open the form
- ✍️ A line-by-line walkthrough of each section of the 2024 Registration Statement
- 💰 The exact DEQ fee schedule by disturbance acreage and how to pay it
- ⚠️ The most common mistakes filers make and how to dodge each one
What the VAR10 Permit Is and Who Must File It
The VAR10 permit is Virginia’s version of the federal NPDES construction stormwater permit. Virginia runs its own program called the Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) because the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gave the state the authority to do so. The permit is built on state regulation 9VAC25-880, which is the rule that creates the Construction General Permit and lists every requirement. The agency that receives your form is either your local Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Program (VESMP) authority or DEQ itself.
You must file for VAR10 coverage if your construction activity disturbs one acre or more of land. You must also file if your project disturbs less than one acre but is part of a larger common plan of development or sale that will ultimately disturb one acre or more. A common plan means a contiguous area where separate building jobs happen at different times, like a subdivision where many small lots add up to more than an acre. In that case, coverage is required even if your own piece is tiny.
Some projects are exempt or get special treatment. A single-family detached home that disturbs less than one acre and is not part of a larger plan does not need this permit. A single-family home that is a large construction activity still needs a Registration Statement, but DEQ waives its portion of the fee. The penalty for skipping the permit when you do need it is steep, since discharging stormwater without coverage violates the Clean Water Act and can bring fines of tens of thousands of dollars per day. Many filers wrongly believe that a small lot inside a big subdivision is exempt, when the cumulative one-acre rule actually pulls them in.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Filling out the VAR10 Registration Statement goes fast when you gather your facts first. The form asks for precise data, and a blank or guessed field is the top reason applications get rejected. Pull these items together before you open the form.
- Operator legal name and contact details. This is the person or company that controls the site. Only one operator may hold each permit, so pick the right party or coverage goes to the wrong name.
- State Corporation Commission (SCC) entity ID number. Businesses registered in Virginia must list this; a missing number for a registered company stalls processing.
- Site physical address with latitude and longitude. You need coordinates in decimal degrees to six digits (the ten-thousandths place). Vague coordinates make DEQ unable to locate your site.
- A legible site map. It must show land-disturbance limits, construction entrances, support areas, and every water body that receives your runoff. No map means an incomplete application.
- Receiving water name and sixth-order Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC). Use the DCR Hydrologic Unit Explorer to find this; a wrong HUC can route your file to the wrong watershed review.
- MS4 operator name, if you discharge to a storm sewer. Skipping this when you discharge to a municipal system hides a key downstream receiver.
- Total site area and estimated disturbed acreage. Measure to the nearest one-hundredth of an acre, because this number sets your fee tier.
- Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) plan approval date. Your local program or DEQ must approve the plan; without approval your registration cannot be accepted.
- Nutrient credit letter of availability, if used. If you plan to buy credits to meet water quality rules, you need a bank letter on hand.
- A completed Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). The SWPPP must be prepared before you submit, because you certify it exists when you sign.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
You get the official 2024 Registration Statement from the DEQ Stormwater – Construction page, which hosts the current form, instructions, and the SWPPP template. Download the Word or PDF version so you are working with the 2024 cycle document, not an old 2019 copy. Using an outdated form is a common error, since the 2024 version added fields and changed the permit term to July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2029.
The form is free to download, and the version you want is plainly labeled “Construction General Permit (VAR10) Registration Statement 2024.” DEQ also posts the 2024 General VPDES Permit text, a Fact Sheet, the Notice of Termination, the Engineer’s Certification Statement, and the Standards and Specifications Entity Information Form on the same page. Keep these nearby because several connect to the Registration Statement.
Where you submit depends on who your authority is. Many Virginia localities run their own VESMP and want the form filed with them, often through an online portal like Fairfax County’s Land Development Services or Loudoun County’s LandMARC system. If your locality is not a VESMP authority, or your project is a state or federal job or uses approved standards and specifications, then DEQ is your authority and you email the package to constructiongp@deq.virginia.gov. Always confirm your authority first, because sending the form to the wrong office wastes time and can cause you to miss a deadline.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the VAR10 Registration Statement Line by Line
The 2024 Registration Statement is organized into numbered sections that track the requirements in 9VAC25-880-50. Fill each one out in order, using your gathered documents. Below is every field, what it asks, how to answer, and the traps to avoid.
Section 1: Operator (Permittee) Name and Contact Information
This field asks who controls the construction activity and will hold the permit. You enter the full legal name of the operator, plus a contact person, mailing address, phone number, and email address. Write the name exactly as it appears on legal records, such as Riverbend Builders LLC, and add a working email because DEQ sends your fee invoice there.
Only one operator may receive coverage under each Registration Statement, so you must choose the single party that has operational control. James Carter, owner of Carter Site Works LLC, lists his company as the operator and himself as the contact person. If two firms share the site, the one with day-to-day control over stormwater compliance should be named.
A common mistake here is naming a project rather than a legal entity, which leaves DEQ unsure who is responsible. The direct consequence is a hold while staff ask you to clarify the operator. Many filers think the landowner must always be the operator, but the operator is whoever controls the work, which is often the contractor or developer instead.
Section 2: SCC Entity Identification Number
This field asks for the operator’s State Corporation Commission entity ID number. You enter the number if your business is required to register with the Virginia SCC, such as an LLC or corporation. Write it as it appears on your SCC records, for example S1234567.
If the operator is an individual person who is not required to register, you may leave this blank or note that it does not apply. A sole homeowner acting as operator on a large single-family build writes “N/A” because no entity registration is required. Registered companies, though, must supply the number.
The common mistake is a registered company leaving this blank to save time, which triggers a verification delay. The consequence is a slower review while DEQ confirms your legal standing. People often think this is optional for everyone, but for a registered business it is required, not a courtesy field.
Section 3: Construction Activity Name and Location
This field asks for the name and physical address of the site, including city or county, plus latitude and longitude. You enter the project name, the street address when one exists, and coordinates in decimal degrees to six digits. Write coordinates like 37.5407, -77.4360 using the ten-thousandths place as the regulation requires.
For raw land with no street address, give the nearest intersection or a parcel description along with the coordinates. Maria Lopez enters “Oak Ridge Phase 2, near Route 60 and Genito Road, Chesterfield County, 37.4123, -77.6789” for a site with no assigned address. The coordinates let DEQ pin your exact location even without a mailing address.
A common mistake is rounding coordinates to only two or three decimals, which places your site blocks away from its true spot. The consequence is a mismatch between your map and your stated location, prompting questions. Filers often assume a street address alone is enough, but the rule specifically demands six-digit coordinates.
Section 4: Site Map
This field asks for a legible site map of your land-disturbing activity. You attach a map that shows the limits of land disturbance, construction entrances, construction support activities, and all water bodies that receive stormwater from the site. Label each feature clearly so a reviewer can read it without guessing.
The map can come straight from your approved ESC plan as long as it shows these required elements. Carter Site Works attaches a one-page site plan with the disturbance boundary outlined in red, the gravel entrance marked, and the adjacent unnamed tributary labeled. A clean, readable map speeds your review.
A common mistake is submitting a blurry or zoomed-out map where boundaries and water bodies cannot be seen. The consequence is an incomplete-application notice and a restart of the clock. Note that for a simple reissuance of an existing permit, the site map is often not required, so do not over-submit when renewing.
Section 5: Off-Site Construction Support Activities
This field asks whether you will use off-site support areas, such as borrow pits, staging yards, or concrete plants serving only your project. You list the name and physical address of each off-site support area, its city or county, latitude and longitude to six digits, and whether it is covered under this permit or a separate VPDES permit. Enter each location on its own line.
If you have no off-site support areas, mark that none apply. A linear road project lists a staging yard at “Lot 7, Industrial Park Drive, Henrico County, 37.6100, -77.3700, covered under this permit.” Each support area must be accounted for so its runoff is not left unpermitted.
A common mistake is forgetting to list a staging area because it sits off the main site. The consequence is an unpermitted discharge that can draw a separate violation. People wrongly think only the main parcel counts, but dedicated off-site support areas are part of your permitted activity.
Section 6: Off-Site Excavated Material (Fill) Disposal Areas
This field asks whether excavated material, or fill, will be hauled off site for disposal. You list the name and physical address of each disposal area, its city or county, latitude and longitude to six digits, and the contents of the material. This requirement has applied to new registrations since January 1, 2021.
Describe the contents in plain terms, since DEQ does not require chemical testing here. Riverbend Builders writes “clean soil and rock spoil, hauled to Smith Farm, 305 County Line Road, Goochland County, 37.7200, -77.8800.” This tells the agency where your dirt ends up.
A common mistake is leaving this blank when you truly are exporting fill, which hides a regulated activity. The consequence is that the disposal site may need its own permit coverage you failed to arrange. Filers often think only “dirty” fill must be reported, but the rule covers all off-site excavated material disposal regardless of how clean it is.
Section 7: Status of the Construction Activity
This field asks whether the project is federal, state, public, or private. You check the single box that matches the ownership or sponsorship of the work. Mark Private for a typical commercial or residential developer job.
The status helps route your file, since state and federal jobs follow a slightly different path through DEQ. A county building a new fire station marks “Public.” Choosing the right status sends your application to the correct reviewer.
A common mistake is a contractor marking “Private” on a public job because the contractor is a private firm. The consequence is misrouting and a delay. People often confuse who they are with who owns the project, but the status follows the project sponsor, not the builder.
Section 8: Nature of the Construction Activity
This field asks what kind of development you are doing, such as commercial, industrial, residential, agricultural, or oil and gas. You select the category that best describes the end use of the land. Pick Residential for a housing subdivision.
If the project mixes uses, choose the primary one and note the secondary use if the form allows. A developer building a strip mall with apartments above marks “Commercial” as the primary nature. This classification helps DEQ track the kinds of sites it permits.
A common mistake is picking a category that does not match the actual land use, which skews the agency’s data and can raise questions. The consequence is a follow-up request to clarify. Filers sometimes think this field is just statistics, but it can affect which best management practices reviewers expect to see.
Section 9: Standards and Specifications Entity
This field asks whether your plans were approved under an entity’s department-approved annual standards and specifications. If yes, you submit a completed Standards and Specifications Entity Information Form with your registration. Most private builders leave this blank because it applies mainly to large utilities and agencies.
Entities like VDOT or major utilities that hold their own approved standards check this and attach the form. Dominion Energy attaches its Standards and Specifications Entity form for a substation project. This lets qualifying entities use a streamlined and lower-fee path.
A common mistake is a private builder checking this box without holding approved standards, which causes confusion and a bounce-back. The consequence is a rejected claim and a recalculated fee. People often assume any engineering plan counts, but only DEQ-approved annual standards and specifications qualify here.
Section 10: ESC Plan Approval Date (Continuing Coverage)
This field asks for the date your Erosion and Sediment Control plan was approved, for activities that were covered under the expiring 2019 permit. You enter the approval date in MM/DD/YYYY format, such as 03/14/2024. This applies when you are carrying a project forward into the 2024 permit term.
If your project is brand new under the 2024 permit, this continuing-coverage field may not apply to you. A developer reissuing coverage for an ongoing site enters the original ESC approval date from 2023. The date confirms your plan was properly approved before work continued.
A common mistake is entering today’s date instead of the actual approval date. The consequence is a record that does not match your local program’s files. Filers sometimes think any recent date works, but DEQ cross-checks this against the approving authority’s records.
Section 11: Whether Land Disturbance Has Commenced
This field asks whether land disturbance has already begun on a project that was covered under the expiring 2019 permit. You answer yes or no. This helps DEQ understand whether you are mid-construction or just starting.
Answer honestly based on whether soil has actually been moved. A site that has already cleared and graded marks “Yes, land disturbance has commenced.” Accuracy here keeps your compliance timeline clear.
A common mistake is marking “No” while grading is already underway, which misstates your status. The consequence is a gap between your paperwork and reality that surfaces during inspection. People think this field is minor, but it sets expectations for the controls inspectors will look for on site.
Section 12: Receiving Waters and Sixth-Order HUC
This field asks for the name of the water body that receives your stormwater and its sixth-order Hydrologic Unit Code. You enter the stream or river name and the matching HUC code from the state explorer tool. Write it like James River, HUC JU51.
If your runoff reaches an unnamed tributary, name it as the unnamed tributary to the next named water downstream. Maria Lopez enters “UT to Swift Creek, HUC JL18.” The HUC tells DEQ which watershed and which water quality rules apply, including impaired or exceptional waters.
A common mistake is guessing the HUC or copying one from a nearby project. The consequence is a misrouted review and possibly the wrong special conditions applied. Filers often think any nearby stream name works, but you must trace the actual flow path to the true receiving water.
Section 13: MS4 Operator Name
This field asks for the name of the municipal separate storm sewer system operator if your site discharges into one. You enter the city, county, or agency that owns the storm sewer, such as City of Richmond. Leave it blank only if you truly do not discharge to an MS4.
Many urban and suburban sites do drain to an MS4, so check your map before answering. A site in Henrico County draining to county storm drains lists “Henrico County MS4.” This tells DEQ which downstream permit holder also has obligations for your runoff.
A common mistake is leaving this blank when your runoff clearly enters a public storm drain. The consequence is that the MS4 operator is not flagged and your discharge path looks incomplete. People often confuse a roadside ditch with an MS4, so verify whether the system is a regulated municipal one.
Section 14: Estimated Start and Completion Dates
This field asks for the estimated start date and completion date of your construction activity. You enter both in MM/DD/YYYY format, such as start 07/15/2026 and completion 11/30/2027. Give your best realistic estimate.
These dates do not lock you in, but they help DEQ gauge how long your coverage spans. Carter Site Works estimates a start of 08/01/2026 and completion of 06/15/2027 for a small subdivision. Reasonable dates keep your file credible.
A common mistake is entering a completion date that has already passed or a start date before plan approval. The consequence is a date conflict that prompts a correction request. Filers think these are throwaway estimates, but wildly off dates can trigger extra scrutiny.
Section 15: Total Site Area and Estimated Disturbed Acreage
This field asks for the total area of the construction site and the estimated area to be disturbed during the 2024 permit term. You enter both to the nearest one-hundredth of an acre, such as total 12.50 acres and disturbed 8.75 acres. Measure carefully, because the disturbed figure sets your fee.
Use your approved plan to pull the exact disturbance number rather than estimating. A commercial developer enters total area 12.50 acres and disturbed area 8.75 acres, which places the project in the five-to-ten-acre fee tier. Precision here protects you from overpaying or underpaying.
A common mistake is rounding disturbed acreage up or down across a fee boundary, like calling 5.0 acres “about 4.9.” The consequence is either an overpayment or a rejected fee that delays coverage. People think a rough estimate is fine, but the one-hundredth-acre standard is a real requirement and your fee depends on it.
Section 16: Part of a Larger Common Plan of Development or Sale
This field asks whether your disturbed area is part of a larger common plan of development or sale. You answer yes or no. Mark yes if your lot sits inside a subdivision or phased project that cumulatively disturbs one acre or more.
This matters even when your own piece is under an acre, because the common-plan rule pulls small lots into coverage. A builder developing three half-acre lots within a 30-acre master plan marks “Yes.” The answer confirms why coverage is required for a small individual parcel.
A common mistake is marking “No” to dodge the permit on a small lot inside a big plan. The consequence is an unpermitted discharge violation once DEQ connects the lot to the larger plan. Filers wrongly believe each small lot stands alone, but cumulative disturbance across the plan is what counts.
Section 17: Use of Nutrient Credits
This field asks whether you will buy nutrient credits to meet the water quality design criteria in 9VAC25-875-580. If yes, you attach a letter of availability from an approved nutrient bank confirming credits are available. Mark no if you meet the criteria entirely on site.
Developers who cannot fully treat phosphorus on site often turn to credits. A tight urban infill project marks “Yes” and attaches a letter from a certified nutrient bank for 1.2 phosphorus credits. The letter proves the credits you are counting on actually exist.
A common mistake is claiming credit use without attaching the bank letter. The consequence is an incomplete application that cannot be approved until the letter arrives. People think a verbal arrangement is enough, but DEQ needs the written letter of availability in hand.
Section 18: Certification and Signature
This field asks you to certify, under penalty of law, that you read and understand the statement and that qualified personnel prepared it. You sign and date the certification, and by signing you also confirm your SWPPP was prepared before submission. The signature must follow the signatory rules in Part III K of the permit.
The right person must sign, such as a corporate officer, a general partner, or the owner, not just any staff member. James Carter, as managing member of Carter Site Works LLC, signs and dates the certification 06/03/2026. An authorized signature makes the whole application legally valid.
A common mistake is having an unauthorized employee sign, which voids the certification. The consequence is a rejected statement and a fresh signature request. Filers often think any signature works, but the regulation names exactly who may sign, and a clerk or junior engineer usually does not qualify.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Below are three common filer situations showing what each enters on the key sections of the form. These illustrate how the same form flexes across very different projects.
Scenario 1: James Carter, small homebuilder on a 1.5-acre lot (DEQ is the authority)
| Form Section | What James Enters |
|---|---|
| Section 1: Operator | Carter Site Works LLC, contact James Carter |
| Section 2: SCC ID | S2233445 |
| Section 3: Location | Lot 14 Maple Hollow, Buckingham County, 37.5500, -78.5500 |
| Section 7: Status | Private |
| Section 8: Nature | Residential |
| Section 12: Receiving Waters/HUC | UT to Slate River, HUC JC09 |
| Section 15: Acreage | Total 1.80, disturbed 1.50 |
| Section 16: Common Plan | No |
| Section 18: Signature | James Carter, managing member, 06/03/2026 |
Scenario 2: Maria Lopez, commercial developer on a 12-acre site in a common plan (locality is the authority)
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Section 1: Operator | Lopez Development Group Inc., contact Maria Lopez |
| Section 2: SCC ID | S9988776 |
| Section 3: Location | Oak Ridge Town Center, Chesterfield County, 37.4123, -77.6789 |
| Section 5: Off-Site Support | Staging yard, Henrico County, 37.6100, -77.3700, covered under this permit |
| Section 8: Nature | Commercial |
| Section 12: Receiving Waters/HUC | UT to Swift Creek, HUC JL18 |
| Section 15: Acreage | Total 12.50, disturbed 8.75 |
| Section 16: Common Plan | Yes |
| Section 17: Nutrient Credits | Yes, bank letter attached |
Scenario 3: Dominion-style linear utility project crossing multiple HUCs (state standards and specs)
| Form Section | What the Operator Enters |
|---|---|
| Section 1: Operator | Statewide Utility Co., contact field manager |
| Section 6: Fill Disposal | Clean spoil to Smith Farm, Goochland County, 37.7200, -77.8800 |
| Section 7: Status | Public |
| Section 8: Nature | Oil and gas / utility |
| Section 9: Standards and Specs | Yes, entity form attached |
| Section 12: Receiving Waters/HUC | Multiple: James River JU51; Appomattox River JM03 |
| Section 14: Dates | Start 09/01/2026, completion 12/31/2028 |
| Section 15: Acreage | Total 45.00, disturbed 22.40 |
| Section 18: Signature | Authorized officer per standards and specs |
How to File the Completed Form
Where and how you file depends on whether DEQ or your locality is the authority, so confirm that first. Below are the channels available.
When DEQ is the authority (email): Email your completed coversheet and Registration Statement to constructiongp@deq.virginia.gov. Do not send payment with the package; DEQ emails you an invoice with a credit card link or a mailing address for a check or money order. Keep the sent email and the invoice as your proof of filing, and expect coverage after the fee clears and the review is complete.
When DEQ is the authority (mail): You may mail documents and fee payments to the Department of Environmental Quality, Office of Stormwater Management, Suite 1400, PO Box 1105, Richmond, VA 23218. Pay by check or money order made out to the Treasurer of Virginia. Keep a copy of everything and use certified mail so you have a dated receipt as proof of filing.
When the locality is the authority (portal): Many localities require online submission through their own systems, such as Fairfax County Land Development Services or Loudoun County’s LandMARC. Fees and payment methods are set by the locality, so follow their portal instructions. Save your portal confirmation number as proof of filing.
Online fee payment: For DEQ-administered permits you can pay your invoice online through the DEQ payment portal by credit card. Processing times vary, but plan for several weeks between submission and coverage approval. Always keep your payment receipt with your project records.
What Happens After You File
After you submit, your authority reviews the Registration Statement for completeness and accuracy. If DEQ is your authority, it emails you an invoice based on the disturbed acreage you reported, and your file is not processed until the fee is paid in full. An incomplete form or unpaid fee pauses everything, so respond quickly to any request for corrections.
Once your statement is accepted and the fee clears, you receive coverage under the 2024 General VPDES Permit. At that point you may legally discharge construction stormwater, as long as you follow your SWPPP and the permit conditions. You must keep your SWPPP on site, conduct required inspections, and maintain your erosion and sediment controls throughout the job.
When your project reaches final stabilization, you must file a Notice of Termination to end coverage and stop annual maintenance fees. Until you terminate, you may owe an annual permit maintenance fee tied to your acreage tier. Failing to terminate is a frequent and costly oversight, because the fees keep accruing on a project that is already finished.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Using the 2019 form instead of the 2024 version. Your application can be rejected for being on an outdated form.
- Rounding latitude and longitude to fewer than six digits. DEQ cannot pinpoint your site and asks you to refile.
- Guessing the sixth-order HUC code. A wrong watershed code misroutes your review and can apply the wrong conditions.
- Misstating disturbed acreage across a fee boundary. You either overpay or get a rejected fee that stalls coverage.
- Naming a project instead of a legal operator. DEQ cannot tell who is responsible and places your file on hold.
- Leaving the SCC entity ID blank for a registered company. Your application sits while staff verify your legal standing.
- Forgetting to list off-site support or fill disposal areas. You create unpermitted discharges that can draw separate violations.
- Submitting a blurry or incomplete site map. Reviewers issue an incomplete-application notice and restart the clock.
- Sending the form to DEQ when your locality is the authority. The misrouted package is returned and you may miss a deadline.
- Having an unauthorized person sign the certification. The signature is void and the entire statement is rejected.
- Claiming nutrient credits without attaching the bank letter. Your application cannot be approved until the letter arrives.
- Skipping the Notice of Termination after the job is done. Annual maintenance fees keep piling up on a finished site.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
- Do download the current 2024 form because the permit cycle and fields changed on July 1, 2024.
- Do prepare your SWPPP first, since you certify it exists when you sign the statement.
- Do measure disturbed acreage to the hundredth of an acre, because this sets your exact fee.
- Do confirm whether DEQ or your locality is the authority, so you file in the right place.
- Do use the state HUC explorer tool to pull the correct sixth-order code.
- Do keep proof of filing and payment, so you can show coverage if questioned.
Don’t:
- Don’t break ground before coverage is issued, because that is an illegal discharge.
- Don’t guess coordinates or HUC codes, since wrong data bounces your file.
- Don’t let an unauthorized employee sign, as that voids the certification.
- Don’t ignore off-site support or disposal areas, because they need to be permitted too.
- Don’t forget to file the Notice of Termination, or fees will keep accruing.
- Don’t assume a small lot in a subdivision is exempt, since the common-plan rule likely covers it.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Deciding whether to file the Registration Statement yourself or hire an engineer or consultant depends on your project’s size and your comfort with the technical data.
Pros of filing on your own:
- You save consultant fees, which matters on a small, simple lot.
- You learn your own project’s details, which helps you manage compliance later.
- You control the timeline directly, with no waiting on a third party.
- Simple single-lot jobs are manageable, since the form is short when data is clear.
- You build a direct relationship with your authority, which helps on future projects.
Cons of filing on your own:
- HUC codes and coordinates are easy to get wrong, and errors cause delays.
- You may misjudge acreage and the fee tier, leading to rejected payments.
- A flawed SWPPP exposes you to enforcement, which a pro would catch.
- You bear full legal responsibility for the certification, with no expert backstop.
- Complex or multi-HUC projects can overwhelm a first-timer, raising the risk of costly mistakes.
VAR10 Fee Schedule by Disturbed Acreage
Your fee is based on the estimated disturbed acreage you report in Section 15, and applications are not processed until the fee is paid in full. These are the standard DEQ General Permit registration fees.
| Disturbed Acreage Tier | Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| Small activity in a common plan, less than 1 acre | $290 |
| 1 acre to less than 5 acres | $2,700 |
| 5 acres to less than 10 acres | $3,400 |
| 10 acres to less than 50 acres | $4,500 |
| 50 acres to less than 100 acres | $6,100 |
| 100 acres or more | $9,600 |
State or federal agencies that administer projects under approved annual standards and specifications pay reduced fees of $750 for Phase I large activities and $450 for Phase II small activities. Note that DEQ posted a new fee schedule action effective July 1, 2026, so confirm the current amount before you pay.
FAQs
Do I need a VAR10 permit if my site disturbs exactly one acre?
Yes. Coverage is required for any construction activity that disturbs one acre or more, and exactly one acre meets that threshold.
Do I still need coverage for a half-acre lot inside a subdivision?
Yes. If your lot is part of a larger common plan of development or sale that disturbs one acre or more, you need coverage even if your piece is small.
Do I need this permit to build a single-family home on a small lot?
No. A single-family detached home that disturbs less than one acre and is not part of a larger plan does not need VAR10 coverage.
Do I write coordinates to six decimal places in Section 3?
Yes. Latitude and longitude must be in decimal degrees to six digits, the ten-thousandths place, so DEQ can locate your site exactly.
Do I have to list a staging yard located off my main site in Section 5?
Yes. Off-site construction support activities must be listed with their address and coordinates and noted as covered under this permit or a separate one.
Do I need to report clean fill hauled off site in Section 6?
Yes. All off-site excavated material disposal areas must be listed regardless of how clean the material is, a rule in effect since January 1, 2021.
Do I leave the SCC entity number blank if I am an individual?
Yes. If you are not required to register with the State Corporation Commission, you may leave Section 2 blank or mark it not applicable.
Do I send the form to DEQ if my county runs its own program?
No. If your locality is the VESMP authority, you submit to the locality, often through its portal, not to DEQ.
Do I prepare the SWPPP before or after I file the Registration Statement?
Yes, before. The SWPPP must be prepared before submission, because your signature certifies it already exists.
Do I pay the fee when I submit to DEQ?
No. When DEQ is the authority, you do not send payment with the package; DEQ emails an invoice you pay online or by mail.
Do I need a Notice of Termination when the project is finished?
Yes. You must file a Notice of Termination once final stabilization is reached, or annual maintenance fees keep accruing.
Do I have to use the 2024 version of the form?
Yes. The current permit cycle runs July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2029, so use the 2024 Registration Statement, not the older 2019 form.
Do I list every receiving water if my project crosses several watersheds?
Yes. A linear or large project that drains to multiple receiving waters must list each one with its matching sixth-order HUC code.
Do I need a nutrient bank letter if I claim credits in Section 17?
Yes. Claiming nutrient credits requires an attached letter of availability from an approved nutrient bank confirming the credits exist.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out the Washington Ecology NPDES Construction Stormwater General Permit + FAQs
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- How to Fill Out the Washington Ecology NPDES Construction Stormwater Permit (Notice of Intent) + FAQs
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