EPA Proposes 2022 Construction General Permit
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on May 12 published the proposed 2022 Construction General Permit (CGP) in the Federal Register. The current 2017 CGP permit is in effect until Feb. 16, 2022, when the final 2022 CGP will become effective for five years.
Public comments on the proposed 2022 CGP will be accepted until July 12, and NAHB will submit comments on behalf of the home building industry.
EPA will host a webinar on Thursday, June 17, 1–3 p.m. ET to explain the proposed changes to the 2022 CGP. Register here.
Importance of the CGP
Stormwater CGPs are the most common environmental permit residential developers and builders must obtain. EPA’s CGP authorizes stormwater discharges from active land development and construction activities. Although serving as the actual stormwater permit developers and builders must obtain in four states (Idaho, New Mexico, Massachusetts and New Hampshire) and specific areas of the country including Puerto Rico, District of Columbia, and tribal lands, EPA’s CGP also serves as the template that all other EPA-delegated states use when renewing their own stormwater CGPs.
Under the federal Clean Water Act, developers and builders must seek CGP coverage before beginning land development or construction activities that disturb more than one acre, or less than one acre within a larger common plan of development, such as an individual builder constructing a home on single building lot(s) within a residential subdivision.
Under the CGP, permit holders are required to prepare, implement, and track their progress through a document called the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). The SWPPP documents how the developer or builder is implementing all of the CGP’s requirements during the active phase of land development or construction activities.
Key Changes in the Proposed 2022 CGP
- Creating additional notification and recordkeeping requirements to avoid contaminated discharges from dewatering activities (i.e., discharges relating to pumping out accumulated water from excavated areas).
- Accepting comments on whether the current reduced site stabilization deadlines under the 2017 CGP for sites disturbing more than five acres should be revisited.
- Creating a new EPA training program for CGP’s current requirement that only a "qualified person" conducts required site inspections under the CGP.
- Clarifying existing 2017 CGP permit flexibilities concerning alternative site stabilization and inspection deadlines for arid and semi-arid areas of the country by establishing a definition for "seasonally dry period."
- Requiring permit holders to document (i.e., photograph) during regular inspections any signs that sedimentation as a result of stormwater discharges from construction activities are occurring to so called “receiving waters.”
- Requiring permit holders before filing their Notice of Termination (NOT) with EPA to submit a photograph showing the condition of site (i.e., documenting site stabilization) at the time of terminating CGP permit coverage.
- Clarifying that EPA does not endorse under the CGP any stormwater control products nor SWPPP plans.
Additional Resources
In addition to EPA’s webinar on June 17, you can learn more about the proposed changes to the 2022 CGP with these EPA resources:
- Fact Sheet on Proposed Revisions to the 2022 CGP
- Proposed 2022 CGP with redline changes
- Proposed 2022 CGP Appendices
- Federal Register notice announcing the 2022 CGP
For more information on EPA’s proposed 2022 CGP, please contact Mike Mittelholzer, AVP, Environmental Policy, at 800-368-5242 x8660.
Latest from NAHBNow
Jun 27, 2025
National Housing Center Awards Recognize Outstanding Industry LegendsSeveral industry leaders were recently honored for their contributions to the housing industry during the National Housing Center Awards Ceremony on June 10 in Washington, D.C. Learn more about the recipients and how to nominate individuals for the awards.
Jun 26, 2025
Harvard Report Shows the Housing Affordability Crisis WorseningThe U.S. housing market continues to face uncertainty and record-high unaffordability as home prices and interest rates push sales to their lowest level in 30 years, according to The State of the Nation’s Housing 2025, a report published by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS).
Latest Economic News
Jun 27, 2025
State and Local Property Tax Revenue Grows in the First QuarterIn the first quarter of 2025, state and local governments experienced an increase in property tax revenue growth. On a seasonally adjusted basis, state and local government property tax revenue grew 1.1% over the quarter, according to the Census Bureau’s quarterly summary of state and local tax revenue.
Jun 26, 2025
Mortgage Rates Hold Steady Despite Modest Uptick in Treasury YieldAverage mortgage rates were flat in June, according to Freddie Mac. The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage held at 6.82%, while the 15-year stayed at 5.95%. Compared to a year ago, the 30-year rate is down 10 basis points (bps), and the 15-year rate is 24 bps lower.
Jun 26, 2025
State-Level Employment Situation: May 2025Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 37 states in May compared to the previous month, while it decreased in 10 states and the District of Columbia. The three remaining states, Alaska, Delaware, and New Jersey reported no change. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nationwide total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 139,000 in May following a gain of 147,000 jobs in April.