Corps permits are necessary for any work, including construction and dredging, in the Nation's navigable waters. The Corps balances the reasonably foreseeable benefits and detriments of proposed projects and makes permit decisions that recognize the essential values of the Nation's aquatic ecosystems to the public, as well as the property rights of private citizens who want to use their land. During the permit process, the Corps considers the views of other Federal, state and local agencies, interest groups, and the public. The results of this careful public interest review are fair and equitable decisions that allow reasonable use of private property, infrastructure development, and growth of the economy, while offsetting the authorized impacts to the waters of the US. The adverse impacts to the aquatic environment are offset by mitigation requirements, which may include restoring, enhancing, creating and preserving aquatic functions and values. The Corps strives to make its permit decisions in a timely manner that minimizes impacts to the regulated public.

All permitting forms available for download can be found on the Forms and Documents page.

The USACE Regulatory Program launched a new national online application portal and management platform called the Regulatory Request System (RRS). RRS allows users to apply for individual and general permits using online forms. The system is designed to decrease permit processing time and is the preferred permit application process of the Corps. Use the link below to access the system:

RRS Regulatory Request System

The Joint Permit Application (JPA) process and Standard JPA form are used by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC), the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and the Local Wetlands Boards (LWB) for permitting purposes involving water, wetlands, and dune/beach resources, including water supply and water withdrawals projects (as defined in DEQ Regulation 9 VAC 25-210). The Tidewater Joint Permit Application form is used for proposed private or commercial aquaculture projects and most commercial and noncommercial projects in tidal waters, tidal wetlands, and coastal primary sand dunes and beaches in Virginia that require the review and/or authorization by the LWB, the VMRC, the DEQ, and/or the USACE. Activities eligible to use the Tidewater JPA include piers, boathouses, boat ramps, moorings, marinas, aquaculture facilities, riprap revetments, bulkheads, marsh toe stabilizations, breakwaters, beach nourishment, groins, jetties, road crossings over tidal waterways, and utility lines over or under tidal waterways.

To request a copy of the Standard Joint Permit Application (JPA), or the Tidewater JPA, please email: CENAO-.REG_ROD@usace.army.mil

Submit the JPA by email to VMRC at: JPA.permits@mrc.virginia.gov