DWR- Water- Animal- Waste- NPDES- Permit
Water
Animal Waste NPDES Permits
What Activities Require This Permit? Certificate of coverage (COC) under National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) general permits and individual permits is optional for the construction and operation of an animal waste management system for facilities with 2,500 or more swine (greater than 55 lbs. in weight) or 10,000 or more swine (less than 55 lbs in weight); 1,000 confined beef or 700 mature dairy; 30,000 or more poultry layers with a liquid waste management system, 125,000 non-laying poultry with a dry litter waste management system, and 55,000 turkeys with wet or dry waste management system.
Animal operations that exceed the above thresholds are given the option of an NPDES Permit or a State Permit. General Permits and Individual Permits are available options under both the NPDES and State permitting programs.
What Is The Purpose of This Permit? To protect waters of the state through compliance with state and federal water quality laws regarding direct discharges of wastewater.
Who Issues This Permit? N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources, Animal Feeding Operations Program.
How Much Will This Permit Cost? For a full list of current permitting fees, see the Permit Fees – 2025 Updates (HTML) document.
What Are My Payment Options for Permit Application Fees?
Payments can be made either by check/money order OR by electronic payment (Credit/Debit Card and eCheck). To pay electronically, visit the Electronic Payment Portal.
If Paying by Check, Who do I Make the Check Payable to and Where Do I Send the Check?
If payment is by check/money order, please remit payment to:
NCDEQ - Division of Water Resources
Attn: Animal/Discharge/Non-Discharge Billing
1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1617
Please Contact the Annual Fee Administering and Compliance Coordinator at 919-807-6316.
Where Can I Get the Application For This Permit? Applications for this permit are available on the Animal Feeding Operation Permit Applications page.
How Long Will It Take to Review My Application? Within 90 days from the receipt of a complete application package.
Where Do I Submit My Application? N.C. Division of Water Resources, Animal Feeding Operations Program, 1636 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-1636.
How Long Is My Permit or License or Certificate Valid? Up to five years.
Notes/Comments: Only the animal feeding operations that discharge from the production area or land application area must have coverage under an Animal Waste NPDES Permit. Animal operations that exceed the thresholds listed above are given the option of an NPDES Permit or a State Permit. Most other facilities with certain threshold animal numbers will require coverage under an Animal Waste State Permit.
Legal Authority/Statute Reference:
Section 402 of the Clean Water Act; North Carolina General Statutes (NCGS) 143-215 et seq.
Animal Feeding Operation (AFO) Program
Statewide Contact Information:
NC Division of Water Resources
Animal Feeding Operations Branch
1636 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1636
Telephone: (919) 707-9129