Guides
Reference guides for the nationwide permit programme
11 answers to the questions that come up most when working through a nationwide permit determination. Each one is written straight from the compiled ruleset, with the rule text and figures it draws on shown inline rather than typed from memory.
What changed in the 2026 nationwide permit reissuance
What changed in the 2026 nationwide permit reissuance?
The Corps reissued 56 of the 57 nationwide permits and added one new permit, NWP 60 for fish passage, effective 15 March 2026 on a 5 year cycle. The 300 linear foot stream bed limit stays removed.
Read the guideWhat is a pre-construction notification (PCN)?
What is a pre-construction notification?
A PCN is the written submission that starts two clocks under general condition 32: a 30 calendar day completeness check, then a 45 calendar day review of the complete package. Not every nationwide permit requires one.
Read the guideNationwide permit versus individual permit
What is the difference between a nationwide permit and an individual permit?
A nationwide permit is a pre-cleared general permit for activities with minimal adverse effects; an individual permit is a case-by-case public process with no acreage shortcut. PermitBird does not hold individual permit timelines.
Read the guideThe half acre limit, explained
Does the half acre limit apply to every nationwide permit?
No. The half acre loss limit applies to a named subset of permits, currently 19 of the 57 active permits. NWP 14 drops to a lower limit in tidal waters, and NWPs 46 and 60 use a full acre instead.
Read the guideDo I need a wetland permit?
Do I need a wetland permit for my project?
You need a Section 404 permit if the site is a water of the United States and the activity discharges dredged or fill material there. This guide walks the screening decision and points to where the real answer still needs a Corps district.
Read the guideWhat is a Section 401 water quality certification?
What is a Section 401 water quality certification?
Section 401 lets the state or tribe where the work occurs certify, condition or deny a federal permit on water quality grounds. PermitBird has not yet compiled this layer: 4 of 54 state and territory records currently show a compiled posture.
Read the guideWhat are USACE regional conditions?
What are USACE regional conditions?
USACE districts can narrow, add conditions to, or revoke a nationwide permit locally. See what regional conditions cover and check yours.
Read the guideWhat is a wetland delineation?
What is a wetland delineation and how is it different from a jurisdictional determination?
A wetland delineation maps a site against the federal three-parameter test; a jurisdictional determination is the Corps' separate legal call on whether Section 404 actually regulates it. See how the two connect, and what changed after Sackett.
Read the guideWhat is a Clean Water Act Section 404 permit?
What is a Clean Water Act Section 404 permit?
A Section 404 permit authorises dredge-and-fill discharges into US waters. See who needs one, the two pathways, and check your project free.
Read the guideWhat is a waters of the United States (WOTUS) determination?
What is a waters of the United States (WOTUS) determination?
A WOTUS determination decides if Section 404 reaches your site at all. See the categories, exclusions, and how to request a JD from your district.
Read the guideWhat is a USACE district, and how do I find mine?
What is a USACE district, and how do I find mine?
All 38 USACE regulatory districts, grouped into 8 divisions, decide your permit path. Here's how boundaries work and how to find yours.
Read the guide
Looking for the compiled coverage matrix instead of the editorial guides? See the coverage page.