TCEQ STEERS ePermits Help

Navigation information for filling out an application

Task List - can be found on the left side of the page when filling out the form.
Task List - lists all required or optional sections of the selected application.
Application Sections - must be completed in the order shown in the "Task List".
Application Sections - will start with a status of "To Do".
Application Sections - status changes to "Done" after successfully completing a section.
Application Sections - can be accessed again by clicking the section name. DO NOT use the web browser back button to return to a section.
Next Button - validates and saves entries made in a section.
Error Messages - will display if the information is not complete or has data entry errors.
Error Messages - must be fixed before the entries in the section can be saved.
ADD/DELETE SECTION Button – is available in the task menu on the left if the application type allows adding and deleting of one or more sections.
SEARCH AGAIN Button – is available at the top right side of a Customer (Applicant) Section if applicant’s can be changed or added, and on the Regulated Entity Section if the application is for a new authorization at a site than may or may not yet be regulated by TCEQ. This is based on the application type being filled out.
Activities Button - will return you to the epermits home page to perform another Activity to Edit, Pay, Sign, Set Access Rights, Delete, View History or Create an application.
DO NOT use the browser BACK BUTTON while filling out the application. It may cause errors in your application. If errors are caused, log out and back in to epermits to clear the errors in our application.
Editing a section that has a status of "Done" can require other sections to be viewed again. The status of the affected sections will be changed to "TO-DO".
Required Fields - the application questions are usually marked with a red asterisk.
Help found under the "Task List" on the left side of the window is for the application help. The application help is for viewing entire application help text for each question within each section.
Help found to the right of the Section Name on the top of the entry window is for the Section help. The section help is for viewing the entire help text for each question within the section being viewed.
Help found to the left of a question is specific help to that question. To find Help for a question with no Help icon, go to the Section or Application Help identified above.

Fill out an application for a new permit

Site Information (Regulated Entity (RN)) Section

RN Search for a new authorization

Enter information for one of the following options and click the Next button:

Option 1: Enter the regelated entity number of the site for the application if known. A valid RN number must be entered like "RN123456789".

Option 2: Enter a known permit number already issued for the same site (RE).

Option 3: Enter the name of the regulated entity and the county where the regulated activity will occur or is occurring. If the RN has a physical address (street number and name), enter the full address, city and ZIP Code. If there is no physical address for the RN, do not make any entries in the address, city or ZIP code fields.

The system will perform a check with the TCEQ’s Central Registry to see if the RN is or has been regulated by the TCEQ. A list of sites sounding similar to the proposed site may be provided. Review the list to see if the same site is already registered.
If more than one RN is found for the same site, you must contact the TCEQ Central Registry program at 512/239-5175.
If the site is found, select it and click "Next" button to use the existing RN information.
If none of the sites are matches then select "New RN” and click the Next button. The new Regulated Entity Number will be assigned when the application is submitted to TCEQ.

If an existing RN is used, the RN information will be pre-filled in the RN section of the application and it cannot be edited since it is shared information for all regulated activities at that site. Site information specific to the permitted activity you are applying for will be asked in the program specific section of the application. Contact the permitting area(s) for requirements and forms to modify permits or authorizations.

Verify the RN information and click "Next" button. If the RN is not the site needed for the permit then click “Search Again” button in the right corner of the page to return to the RN Search page. The RN can be changed at any time until the application fee has been paid.

Customer (CN) (Applicant) Information Section

CN Search for an existing CN

Enter information for one of the following options and click the Next button:

Option 1: If an existing RN was selected for the application, customer(s) that already exist will be displayed. If the customer exists, select it.

Option 2: Enter the customer number if already a customer of TCEQ. A valid CN number must be entered like “CN123456789”.

Option 3: Enter a known permit number already issued to the customer to find the CN and select it from the list.

Option 4: Enter the applicant’s legal name to see if the applicant is already a TCEQ customer.

Select the Customer Type
Enter the legal name exactly as legally filed to do business in Texas. If the customer is an individual, enter with the last name separated by comma and the first name and middle initial if exists (i.e. Block, Joe or Block, Joe E.)
If the entity type is a Corporation (Corp, Inc, LLC, Co) or a Limited Partnership (LP, LLP, LTD) the Texas SOS Filing number and State or Federal Tax ID must be provided. Call TX SOS at 512/463-5555 for assistance in obtaining the filing number.

The system will perform a check with the TCEQ’s Central Registry to see if the CN is or has been regulated by the TCEQ. A list of customer names sounding similar to the proposed site may be provided. Review the list to see if the customer is already registered.
If more than one CN is found for the legal entity, you must contact the TCEQ Central Registry program at 512/239-5175.
If the CN is found, select it and click "Next" button to use the existing CN information.
If none of the customers are matches then select "New CN” and click the Next button. The new Customer Number will be assigned when the application is submitted to TCEQ.

Verify the CN information and click "Next" button. If the CN is not the customer needed for the permit then click “Search Again” button in the right corner of the page to return to the CN Search page or if filling out the form for a new CN make the changes. The system will verify the customer is not already registered with TCEQ based on the new entries. The CN can be changed at any time until the application fee has been paid.

The applicant’s relationship to the site may be pre-filled and limited based on the general permit requirements. The stormwater general permit requires the Operator to apply for the permit so the application restricts the a pplicant to only allow the Operator to apply. The application for a new CAFO facility is not yet available through epermits.

An existing CN’s legal information and name cannot be edited. The applicant must verify the applicant’s legal name is still valid as legally filed with the Texas Secretary of State or Comptrollers Office, or as filed with the County where doing business. Contact the permitting area(s) for requirements and forms to modify permits or authorizations.

Fill out the CN’s mailing address to be used by TCEQ for mailing notices relating only to the customer. If the address is pre-filled by existing central registry information it cannot be edited through a permit application. Contact the central registry at 512/239-5175 for assistance.

Fill out the CN’s mailing address to be used by TCEQ for mailing notices relating only to the regulated site. If the address is pre-filled by existing central registry information it cannot be edited through a permit application. Contact the central registry at 512/239-5175 for assistance.

Fill out the CN’s Responsible Authority’s name. The responsible authority must be the executive officer having signatory authority or the individual applying for the permit. The form will pre-fill based on the Customer legal name and will not allow it to be changed. The address provided for the Responsible Authority is the permit address used for providing legal notices specifically related to the permit.

Click the Next/Save button to proceed with the application. If addresses do not validate as deliverable, the system will display a message to confirm the address. Check entries and make corrections. Suite or Building numbers may need to be added to the address line (i.e. 111 S Rock Rd Ste 101). Click the Next/Save button to continue.

Compliance history rating of a Customer (CN) and/or Regulated Entity (RN)

The compliance history rating of a customer at the RN or a customer’s overall compliance history rating is verified at this point. If the regulations for the selected application type requires checking the customer compliance history and the rating is below average, the company cannot apply for a permit through ePermits. Contact the appropriate program area for the needed permit for further instructions. An individual permit may be required for coverage.

Billing Contact

The billing contact section will only be used in application for a permit type that are subject to the water quality annual fee assessment. (Not applicable to Construction General Permit Authorizations and Multi-Sector General Permit No Exposure Certifications.)

Select the customer responsible for receiving and paying the water quality annual fee. This is the person and mailing address the TCEQ will use for mailing the annual billing statement.

The applicant’s legal name will be pre-filled and is not editable since the permittee is responsible for payment of the annual fee. The person we contact (if the permittee is not an individual) is also required along with the appropriate address to ensure receipt for timely payments to TCEQ each year. It is the responsibility of the permittee(s) to update their permit billing contact through the permitting program to ensure receipt of the billing statement.

Addresses can be copied from other sections of the application. And may be edited after copying an address already entered in the application.

Application Contact

The application contact is the person the permitting program area will call for questions relating to the application. If deficiencies exist, this person must be able to address the issues.

Select to copy information from a contact already entered in the application or enter information. The mailing address may also be copied from another contact mailing address in the application.

Program Specific Section(s)

Each Section of the application will have help specific to each question to aid in filling out the form. The complete help text for a permit application can be found by clicking Help in the Task Menu on the left side of the page. The questions with related help text can be viewed to prepare for filling out the sections.

Each question will be validated to ensure coverage for the selected authorization (permit) type is obtainable.
If the system indicates the applicant does not qualify for coverage, review the regulation to ensure coverage is required.
If coverage is not required, delete the application for the system.
If the message indicates the application cannot be submitted electronically, contact the program area for the authorization (permit) type.
Click "Next" button to validate and save entries.
Read the section help for question relating to any pre-filled information.
After successfully filling out and saving each section of the application, the system will return to the "Activities" page.
Applications may allow the ability to add and delete section of the application. It the application has a section that can be added or deleted the ADD/DELETE SECTION button will appear in the Task Menu bar on the left of the page. Click the button to view the available Sections for Adding and Deleting.
Application types may require a new section based on an answer in the general characteristics section of an application. The application will add new sections as the applicant fills out and saves the section.

Fill out an application to terminate, renew, or change an existing permit

Permit Number for an application to renew, terminate or change an existing permit

Enter either the permit number or RN to select the permit number.

The system will verify the selected existing permit to determine eligibility for the selected application type.
A permit may not be eligible for the selected action if it is no longer active or an application is currently pending. A message indicating the permit is not eligible for the selected application type will be displayed.
If data errors exist preventing creation of the application form an error message will display indicating there were problems creating the application, you need to call the program area.
To contact the program area - Go to STEERS Contacts to get the program area contact information. The program areas can correct data issues within minutes to allow you to proceed with the application.

After a valid Permit Number has been entered, a Permit Confirmation page will display the RN (site) and CN (applicant) for the permit. Review the permitted information carefully to determine it is the correct information for the permit application.

Select the Activities button if the RN and CN information indicates you have the wrong permit.
Select Confirm Permit Information button to proceed with filling out the selected application form for the selected permit number.

Site Information (Regulated Entity (RN)) Section

RN for the selected Permit Number

The RN section will be pre-filled for the selected permit number if the permit application type required entry of an existing permit number. The RN cannot be modified for the existing permit. The RN section status will show to be “DONE” after confirming the permit number information.

Customer (CN) (Applicant) Information Section

CN for the selected Permit Number

The CN section will be pre-filled for the selected permit number if the permit application type required entry of an existing permit number. The CN(s) (permittee(s)) cannot be removed or added to an existing permit through some application types.

Below are the rules for adding or removing a CN from a Permit, for each permit type:

For Stormwater Construction and Multi-Sector General Permits, the Operator is required to apply for the permit. A Notice of Termination will not allow a change to the existing permittee. The Notice of Termination is only to Terminate a permit. If a permittee changes due to a change in ownership or operator, the applicant will need to submit a paper application for a “Change in Permittee”. This application is not yet available in ePermits.
For CAFO General Permit, the Owner is required to apply for the permit and the Operator may apply as co-permittee with the owner.
- Only during the renewal period can the applicant change a CN’s (permittee’s) relationship from Operator to Owner; and,
- Only during the renewal period can the applicant add or delete existing CN’s (permittee’s) to remove an existing Operator or add the Owner to the existing permit. Click the ADD/DELETE SECTION button in the task menu to add or delete a customer section as needed for the renewal.
- When adding a CN to the permit follow the fill out steps for CN Search for an existing CN.
If the permit has been renewed, the applicant will need to submit a paper application for a “Change in Permittee”. This application is not yet available in ePermits.

A Notice of Change or Notice of Termination application form will not allow a change in permittee (No CN section can be added or deleted from the electronic application form.) The Notice of Termination is only to terminate a permit.