Can a facility without outdoor exposures be exempt from stormwater permitting requirements?

A facility without outdoor exposures can indeed be exempt from stormwater permitting requirements. This is because the primary purpose of stormwater permits is to regulate the discharge of pollutants from areas that may come into contact with rainwater, snowmelt, or other forms of precipitation. If a facility is entirely enclosed and does not have any outdoor exposure, there is no potential for stormwater to interact with pollutants, thereby reducing the risk of water contamination.

Thus, the lack of outdoor exposures means that the facility does not contribute to stormwater runoff that can impact surrounding water bodies, making it eligible for exemption from the permitting requirements. It's essential for facilities to evaluate their specific conditions and how they relate to stormwater regulations, as each regulation may have nuances based on local laws and the nature of operations conducted on-site.