Stormwater Discharges from Industrial Activity

Stormwater runoff that comes in contact with exposed materials during industrial activities can pollute waterbodies.

Florida has adopted the federal NPDES Storm Water Multi-Sector General Permit for Industrial Activities (comprising the original issuance and subsequent corrections/modifications) and operates the permit as the Florida Multi-Sector Generic Permit for Stormwater Discharge Associated with Industrial Activity (MSGP). Operators of regulated industrial activities must obtain coverage under the MSGP and implement appropriate "best management practices" (BMPs) at the facility, such as properly managing stormwater flow and discharge, techniques to minimize/prevent pollution runoff. 

Coverage under the NPDES Stormwater MSGP is required for industrial activities that:

Multi-Sector Generic Permit Requirements

  • Develop a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) (guidance).
  • Obtain MSGP coverage.
  • Maintain compliance with the MSGP and implement the SWPPP.
  • Conduct and report visual, analytical and compliance monitoring as required by the permit (sector- and SIC code- specific). Results are submitted via the department’s online EzDMR System.
    • Visual monitoring is required for all facilities (except Sector S - Air Transportation Facilities). Visual examinations are required at least quarterly and be recorded in the SWPPP.
    • Analytical (benchmark) monitoring is required for industry sectors or sub-sectors determined to have a high potential to discharge a pollutant at concentrations of concern. Benchmark values are established to gauge the effectiveness of the SWPPP and determine whether the SWPPP needs to be updated.
    • Compliance monitoring is required for five specific industrial activities whose stormwater discharges are subject to numeric effluent limitations, in addition to analytical and visual monitoring.

Obtaining Permit Coverage

  1. Submit a MSGP Notice of Intent (NOI)and application fee of $500.
  2. Submit the complete NOI:
    1. online through the DEP Business Portal (guidance) OR
    2. Mail the signed form and appropriate check to:

      Florida Department of Environmental Protection
      PO Box 3070
      Tallahassee, FL 32315
       
  3. The Department will send an Acknowledgment of permit coverage for for processed NOIs via email, whether NOIs are submitted online or by mail.

Permit Term

Coverage term is five (5) years or until permit coverage is terminated. 

Permit coverage is non-transferable. If the operator of a regulated industrial activity changes, the new operator must obtain coverage and the previous operator must terminate coverage.

  1. Renew permit coverage every five years at least two (2) days before expiration of the current coverage following the instructions above.
  2. To discontinue permit coverage, submit a Notice of Termination online or by mail to 
    NPDES Stormwater Program
    2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 3585
    Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400

Conditional No Exposure Exclusion (NEX)

Operators with regulated industrial activities may qualify for an exemption from MSGP permitting requirements if all industrial materials or processes at the facility are protected by a storm-resistant structure. Storm-resistant shelters include completely roofed and walled buildings or structures, as well as structures with only a top cover but no side coverings, provided material under the structure is not otherwise subject to any run-on and subsequent runoff of storm water.

You must be able to answer NO to all of the following activities to qualify for an NEX. Are any of the following materials or activities exposed to precipitation, now or in the foreseeable future? 

  1. Using, storing or cleaning industrial machinery or equipment and areas where residuals from using, storing or cleaning industrial machinery or equipment remain and are exposed to stormwater. 
  2. Materials or residuals on the ground or in stormwater inlets from spills/leaks. 
  3. Materials or products from past industrial activity. 
  4. Material handling equipment (except adequately maintained vehicles). 
  5. Materials or products during loading, unloading or transporting activities. 
  6. Materials or products stored outdoors [except final products intended for outside use Yes No Yes No
    Materials contained in open, deteriorated or leaking storage drums, barrels, tanks and similar containers. 
  7. Materials or products handled or stored on roads or railways owned or maintained by the discharger.
  8. Waste material [except waste in covered, non-leaking containers (e.g., dumpsters)]. 
  9. Application or disposal of process wastewater (unless otherwise permitted). 
  10. Particulate matter or visible deposits of residuals from roof stacks and/or vents not otherwise regulated (i.e., under an air quality control permit) and evident in the stormwater outflow.

If the operation qualifies for exclusion, an NEX certification and fee must be submitted to the Department to receive the exclusion. NEX operations are subject to Department inspection. The exclusion is required to be renewed every 5 years. The Department may revoke NEX coverage for failure to qualify to an NEX, and require MSGP or individual permit coverage. 

Individual Permit

Stormwater discharges from industrial activities that are not eligible for a generic permit must be covered under an individual permit with requirements specific to the facility as specified under Rule 62-620, F.A.C. Applications for individual NPDES stormwater permits for industrial activities should be sent to the Industrial Wastewater section of the appropriate DEP District Office.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Provides answers to the industrial questions most commonly posed regarding the NPDES Stormwater Program's MSGP.

Last Modified: Tuesday, Sep 01, 2026 - 07:07am