Permits are state specific and fall under the jurisdiction of the regulating agency. Permits will be required based on the number of animal units on a farm and if you house your animals in a confined area for more than 45 days (not consecutive) during the year and there is no harvestable crop grown in the confinement area during the year. If you don’t meet these requirements but runoff from your confinement area is channelized and leaves your property at any time, then you also may be required to apply for a permit.

For additional information on guidelines used to determine who may need a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit (national EPA permit program), refer to CAFO Fact Sheet#2: Do I Need an NPDES Permit for My Livestock and Poultry Operation?. Information relative to state-administered permits must be obtained from your state environmental agency.

Author: Ron Wiederholt, Nutrient Management Specialist, North Dakota State University