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Regulatory Branch

The Norfolk District Regulatory Office is dedicated to protecting the nation's aquatic resources while allowing reasonable and necessary development, as wetlands filter pollutants from runoff, help store and slow floodwaters during storm events, and provide habitat for many different types of plants and animals.

The office issues permits for regulated activities proposed throughout the state of Virginia. Areas Norfolk District regulates include, but are not limited to, tidal marshes, seasonally saturated forested and nonforested wetlands, swamps, rivers, bays, and streams.

Regulatory issues permits under authority of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899.

Click here to find your local regulator.

The Regulatory Program: Importance to the Public

Permit applications are now available in RRS!

The Norfolk District Regulatory Branch is the central receiving agency for all joint permit applications in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The preferred method of submittal is the Regulatory Request System, available at https://rrs.usace.army.mil/rrs. The RRS streamlines the permit review process and ensures timely coordination among agencies. Requests submitted through RRS are assigned to a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Project Manager and distributed to partner agencies—the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC), the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ), and the local wetlands board—by the following business day. Applicants receive email confirmation and can track their project through their personal dashboard on the RRS platform.

Please note: While the legacy Joint Permit Application (PDF) may still be submitted via email to cenao.reg_rod@usace.army.mil for the time being, use of this method may result in significant processing delays. 

The use of RSS is strongly encouraged for all future submissions. Applicants are encouraged to visit https://rss.usace.army.mil to take advantage of its streamlined features and benefits. 

Users are encouraged to explore and utilize to explore and utilize the new RRS to take advantage of its benefits and features. Visit rrs.usace.army.mil today!

For additional information or to provide feedback on the RRS, contact rrs@usace.army.mil. 

For additional resources, visit the RRS section of the Apply for a Permit webpage.

Regulatory announcements

Regulatory Request System

Customer Service Survey

The Norfolk District is committed to providing the highest level of support to the public. In order for us to better serve you, we would appreciate you completing our Customer Service Survey.

We value your comments and appreciate your taking the time to complete the survey.