Washington State Department of Ecology

Stormwater and Working in Water

It is important to understand the permits and regulations that are required for construction activities taking place during the wet season. Acquiring the necessary permits and making sense of the regulations can take time; prepare yourself before your project begins.

Construction Stormwater Permits and Regulations

Construction Stormwater General Permit Application and Information page. This permit is required for any construction activity that disturbs one acre or more.
Information on additional Stormwater permits.
The following publication from the Department of Ecology addresses how developers can accomplish their project while following Washington State regulations concerning water quality:
- How to Meet Ecology’s Construction Stormwater General Permit Requirements: A Guide for Construction Sites

JARPA

Joint Aquatic Resource Permit Application (JARPA): This application is required for most construction activities that take place in or near water. This application form contains permits issued from local, state, and federal agencies.

Water Rights

Water Right Change: To change the place of use, point of diversion or withdrawal, add additional points of diversions or withdrawals, or purpose of use to an existing water right.
New Water Right (Permit to Withdraw or Divert Surface or Ground Water): To withdraw water except as listed above.
Water Reclamation and Reuse: Authorizes the use of reclaimed water.

Working in Water Permits and Regulations

Dam Safety Construction Permit: Constructing, modifying, or repairing any dam or controlling works for storage of 10 or more acre-feet of water, waste, or mine tailings.
Hydraulic Project Approval Permit: Work that uses, diverts, obstructs, or changes the natural flow or bed of any of the salt or fresh waters of state.
Notice of Intent to Construct or Decommission a Well: Drilling activities including developing or decommissioning water wells, monitoring wells, and geotech soil borings.
Reservoir Permit: Constructing a barrier across a stream, channel, or water course if the barrier will create a reservoir of a certain size.