SWPPP Site Inspection Checklist for Construction Stormwater

Use this alongside your SWPPP and site map. Under the EPA CGP, the report must be completed within 24 hours of the inspection and signed by the operator's signatory. Nothing you check here is saved. Learn the rules in the inspections lesson.

Inspection trigger and scope

• Inspection is on schedule (7-day, or 14-day plus within 24 hours of 0.25 in. rain or 3.25 in. snowmelt)
• Increased frequency applied for areas draining to impaired or Tier 2, 2.5 or 3 waters
• Rain gauge or weather station reading recorded for storm-event inspections
• Areas unsafe to inspect noted with reasons

Disturbed areas and stabilization

• All disturbed areas not yet stabilized inspected
• Stabilization initiated where work ceased or is idle 14+ days (by end of next business day)
• Stabilization completed within the required 14 or 7 days
• Seeded, mulched and blanketed areas holding; no rills, gullies or washouts
• Steep slopes protected; dust controlled

Perimeter and sediment controls

• Perimeter controls installed on the contour, ends turned up slope
• Sediment removed before reaching one-half of above-ground height
• No undercutting, flow around ends, tears or sagging
• Natural buffers to waters intact, or equivalent controls in place
• Check dams, slope drains and diversions functioning
• Sediment traps and basins: storage available, outlets and skimmers working, no erosion at inlets/outlets

Exits, track-out and inlets

• Construction exits stabilized and used; vehicles restricted to designated exits
• No track-out on paved roads, or removed by end of the same business day
• No sediment hosed or swept into inlets or drainage features
• Inlet protection installed on inlets receiving site runoff
• Inlet protection clean and not clogged; sediment next to inlets removed

Stockpiles, materials and waste

• Stockpiles away from inlets and drainage; downgradient barriers in place
• Stockpiles unused 14+ days covered or stabilized
• Concrete and other washouts leak-proof, lined, not overflowing, away from inlets and waters
• Fueling and maintenance areas clean; spill kits available; no leaks
• Chemicals, paints and fertilizers covered and contained
• Dumpsters covered and not overflowing; litter controlled
• Portable toilets secured and away from inlets

Dewatering (if occurring)

• Dewatering routed through a sediment control; filter bag on stable surface
• No visible turbidity plume, floating solids, foam or sheen at discharge
• Daily dewatering inspection and turbidity sample recorded

Discharge points and receiving waters

• All discharge points identified and inspected
• If discharging now: color, odor, solids, foam and sheen observed and recorded
• No sediment deposits at outfalls, on stream banks, in drainage features or on streets

Follow-up

• Routine maintenance needs listed (complete by close of next business day)
• Corrective action conditions logged within 24 hours
• New or replacement controls and significant repairs scheduled within 7 calendar days
• SWPPP and site map updates noted (within 7 days of completing changes)
• Report completed within 24 hours and signed

Last reviewed: October 25, 2026 · Free general education based on the Clean Water Act, EPA NPDES rules and the EPA Construction General Permit. Your governing permit (EPA, state, tribal or local) controls. This is not legal advice, not EPA-approved, and not a California QSP/QSD or other state credential, and it does not issue a certificate. Nothing you enter on this page is saved or sent.