# Grading, Stormwater (NPDES) & Building Permits
Approvals get you the *right* to build; **permits** let you actually start.
## Common permits
- **Grading / land-disturbance permit** — to move dirt; requires an approved grading and erosion-control plan.
- **Stormwater / NPDES permit** — for projects disturbing (typically) 1+ acre, a federal Clean Water Act program (administered by states) requiring a **Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)** and erosion/sediment controls.
- **Utility / right-of-way permits** — to connect water, sewer, and to work in public streets.
- **Building permit** — to construct vertical improvements, issued after construction-document review.
## Sequencing
Permits come in an order: you usually can't pull a building permit until the site/civil work is approved and sometimes underway. Map the permit sequence into your schedule — **permitting delays are one of the most common reasons projects slip.**
**Takeaway:** Map the permit sequence into your schedule; permitting delays slip projects.
> *Educational content — not legal, engineering, or financial advice. Requirements vary by jurisdiction; always confirm with the local authority and your professional team.*
