Stormwater Quality Permit (SWQP)

Please contact Stormwater Quality Permitting Staff well in advance of any project to determine what is exactly required, but a complete application packet will include:

1. Signature by the landowner or the owner’s authorized representative and identification of the operator and other persons legally responsible for compliance with the permit, including the assigned erosion control supervisor as required in Boulder County Land Use Code 7-904F.3.d. The County Engineer shall have the discretion to require that persons identified as operators, or other persons who are known at the time of application as being responsible for implementation of any approved permit, sign the application as applicants.
2. Documentation of an application for a CDPHE stormwater general permit for construction. This documentation should consist of a letter from the Water Quality Control Division of the CDPHE that assigns a certification number to the project (if available).
3. A Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) that includes but is not limited to:
   1. A project description that includes the location and extents of the project, a summary of the construction to be completed, and the end product;
   2. Best Management Practices (BMPs) to be installed on a temporary basis as necessary to control stormwater discharges from the construction site before and during construction until final stabilization. This includes a narrative describing nonstructural BMPs such as construction site phasing (e.g., phase of the project so that vegetation will remain in those areas and will not have construction activity at the start of the project);
   3. A site plan (or plans) depicting the affected site in sufficient detail to show significant site features (natural and man-made), areas proposed to be disturbed and developed, existing easement areas and restricted development areas, and locations of proposed temporary BMPs; and,
      1. NOTE – Projects disturbing under 1-acre but within 100 horizontal feet of a watercourse require Site Plans, BMP details, and a SWQP checklist for small projects.
   4. Identification of any affected MS4 or waters of the state anticipated to receive stormwater discharge from the site;
   5. Checklists for the SWQP.
   6. AND – After after the SWQP is issued, the SWMP must accurately reflect current site conditions at all times. Minor and substantial modifications to the SWMP and the approved permit must meet the requirements in Land Use Code Article 7-904G.

For construction activity disturbing one acre or more within the urbanized area, you will also need:

• A final drainage plan and report that follows the county’s Storm Drainage Criteria Manual (SDCM) and includes a narrative describing the proposed post-construction controls (permanent BMPs) and methods for perpetual maintenance. This must be stamped by a Colorado Professional Engineer;
• A site plan showing locations of the proposed post-construction controls;
• Identification of the parties responsible for perpetual maintenance of proposed post construction controls;
• Operating and maintenance (O&M) plan and easement for county inspection and access;
• SDI Design data sheets (download the data sheets)
• Post-Construction Review Checklist; and,
• As-Builts once the post construction control has been completed.

Design, installation, and maintenance specifications for all BMPs included in the SWMP and the site plans and installed at the site are required to part of the SWMP. All BMPs designed to meet the requirements shall generally comply with:

• The Boulder County Storm Drainage Criteria Manual;
• Urban Storm Drainage Criteria Manual (USDCM) from the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District (UDFCD);
• The CDOT Erosion Control and Stormwater Quality Guide; or,
• Any other alternative methodology that can be demonstrated to be effective and is approved by Boulder County.

*NOTE – The County Engineer reserves the discretion to require additional information deemed necessary for adequate processing of the application.