NPDES Construction Program

New NCG01 e-NOI System Launched in May 2025

Please check this website for status updates on the new NCG01/NCG25 application in AccessDEQ, launched on May 12, 2025. Various Program User Guides and a Help menu (upper right corner) are available under Program User Guides.

How to Apply for a Certificate of Coverage (COC)

Complete and submit the e-NOI Application (AccessDEQ Link). Notes:

• The NCG01 Permittee must be the same entity as the financially responsible party listed on the Financial Responsibility/Ownership Form (or similar) for the approved Erosion & Sedimentation Control Plan. Applications must be signed/submitted by a Responsible Official or Delegated Responsible Official within the same financially responsible party/organization in accordance with 40 CFR 122.22. See New NCG01 AccessDEQ Permit System | NC DEQ for more information on user roles. An application signed/submitted by a consultant or someone outside of the Permittee organization will not be accepted.
• Review the e-NOI before you hit "submit."  Common errors are incorrect lat/long, waterbody name/index number, and E&SC Plan approval date.
• Once the e-NOI is submitted via the AccessDEQ portal, an invoice will be generated for the first 12 months of permit coverage. This invoice must be paid prior to DEMLR review of the e-NOI. A full list of current application and annual fees can be found at the following: Permit Fees 2025 Updates | NC DEQ.
• You will receive a response within 3 business days after you submit and pay the initial invoice. If DEMLR approves the e-NOI, you will receive an email with Certificate of Coverage document attached. If DEMLR rejects the e-NOI, you will receive an email explaining the modifications required for approval. After making the necessary corrections to the e-NOI, the application must be electronically signed and resubmitted for processing.

How to Obtain Coverage of a Purchased Project

Coverage under the NCG01 permit must be maintained on purchased properties with active Erosion and Sedimentation Control plans. There are two options in AccessDEQ for obtaining a Certificate of Coverage for a purchased project.

Transfer of Ownership

• The new owner may request a Transfer of Ownership through the portal. Prior to submitting the request, the new owner must complete a new Financial Responsibility/Ownership (FR/O) form and obtain updated Erosion and Sedimentation Control documents from the issuing authority.
• Once supporting documents are obtained, the Transfer of Ownership can be accessed by selecting “Start a New Application” on the AccessDEQ home screen. The applicant will then select “Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources (DEMLR)” under the directory followed by “Transfer ownership of existing NCG01 or NCG25 Stormwater General Permit coverage”. A copy of the new Letter of Approval and FR/O Form with the new owner information must be uploaded with the transfer application. An application signed/submitted by a consultant or someone outside of the new Permittee organization will not be accepted.

Acquiring a New Certificate of Coverage

• The new owner may also elect to transfer the Erosion and Sedimentation Control plan, then obtain their own Certificate of Coverage. See How to Apply for a Certificate of Coverage (COC).
• Once the new owner has obtained a COC, the previous owner must submit an e-NOT for their COC. See How to Terminate a Certificate of Coverage.
  • The previous owner will select “Sale (Another Owner/Operator obtained new COC” as the Reason for Termination and upload the new owner’s COC as supporting documentation. An application signed/submitted by a consultant or someone outside of the Permittee organization will not be accepted.

How to Pay the Annual Permit Fee

• You will be billed via email for next year's permit fee at least one month prior to the end of the current permit year.
• If you do not terminate the project prior to the end of the permit coverage year, then you are responsible for paying the next annual permit fee.
• Electronic payments can be made via the AccessDEQ portal main page. Click the ‘Make Payment’ button located in the upper right corner and provide the invoice number and dollar amount to search for and return the associated invoice.

• Check payments can be mailed to:

  NCDEQ – DEMLR Stormwater Program
  Attn: Stormwater Billing
  1612 Mail Service Center
  Raleigh, NC 27699-1612

• Invoice payments made to DEMLR cannot be refunded.

FEE ADJUSTMENTS NOTE: In accordance with General Statute 143B-279.19, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has adjusted certain fees and rates for its programs to support the delivery of services and issuance of environmental permits. This is effective as of July 1, 2025.

How to Modify a Certificate of Coverage (COC)

Complete and submit the Modification Application (AccessDEQ link). Notes:

• Use this form to add updated E&SC Plan approval and close-out letters to the file for projects that already have an approved COC, update the financially responsible person, update certain contacts, etc.
• The Permittee or appropriately authorized individual within the Permittee organization must sign and submit the modification request. A modification request signed/submitted by a consultant or someone outside of the Permittee organization will not be accepted. 

How to Terminate a Certificate of Coverage (COC)

Complete and submit the e-NOT Application (AccessDEQ link). Notes:

• Paper submissions of the NOT Certification form are no longer accepted. Applicants must register for an account with AccessDEQ and submit an electronic Notice of Termination application.
• An e-NOT must be submitted when a project has been released from its approved Erosion & Sedimentation Control Plan via a final inspection report from the appropriate DEMLR Regional Office or Local Erosion and Sediment Program. Annual invoices will continue to be generated and sent out until the COC is formally rescinded/terminated.
• You will receive a response within 3 business days after you submit the e-NOT. If DEMLR approves the e-NOT, you will receive an email confirmation that the COC has been rescinded/terminated. If DEMLR rejects the e-NOT, you will receive an email explaining the modifications required for approval. After making the necessary corrections to the e-NOT, the application must be electronically signed and resubmitted for processing.
• If the construction activity is sold and land disturbance is still occurring, then the new Owner/Operator can transfer the approved Erosion & Sedimentation Control Plan and can then transfer the COC via an application with appropriate supporting documentation. Alternatively, if the new Owner/Operator obtains their own new COC, then the original permit holder can submit an e-NOT where they upload a copy of the new owner’s COC as supporting documentation.
• For open invoices associated with a COC for a project that has previously been released from its Erosion & Sedimentation Control Plan via a final inspection report prior to or within 45 days of the invoice date, the responsible party can submit a request to have the fee waived by emailing DEMLR staff and attaching a copy of the final inspection report. If the fee waiver request is approved, the e-NOT submittal process can be completed through the portal.

How to Find Construction Permit Information

Construction NPDES Permit List (Active/Expired) as of 5/2/2025, prior to transition to AccessDEQ
Permit records are available in the Construction Stormwater COCs folder of the Laserfiche repository. For guidance on finding a specific COC in the repository, see this Advanced Search How-To document.

Homebuilding Lots and Outparcels

COCs may be issued on a “per contiguous project, per owner” basis - this may be convenient for a builder who is taking down multiple lots in a subdivision or for a campus that is often starting and completing construction projects. See Options for Covering Homebuilding Lots & Development Phases Under the NCG01 Permit for guidance on how to cover multiple construction activities within a contiguous project under the NCG01 permit. 

Sample Plan Sheets

Below are sample plan sheets that provide guidance on complying with key portions of the NCG01 Permit.  These sample plan sheets provide more detail than is provided in the NCG01 permit.  Permittees are not required to use the sample plan sheets; they convey one way that the objectives set forth in the permit may met.  

Approved Flocculants/PAMS List

Self-Inspection and Monitoring Forms

Note: Self inspections are not required to be done by a certified person (as is the case for the EPA construction stormwater permit).  

• Self Inspection & Monitoring Form
• Self-Inspection & Monitoring Form - Homebuilding
• Combined NCG01 and E&SC Self Inspection Form Example