General Discharge Permit for Animal Feeding Operations
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs)
Every Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) in Maryland shall have a discharge permit issued by the Department under both State and federal permitting authority. Medium and large Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs) in the AFO Table in Part I.A.9 of this permit are CAFOs if they discharge or propose to discharge pollutants including, but not limited to, manure, poultry litter, or process wastewater to surface waters of the State (as defined in Part II.LL.1 of this General Discharge Permit). Medium or Large AFOs where contact of confined animals with surface waters occurs are included in the definition of CAFOs and require a discharge permit. Any large AFO, not otherwise required to obtain coverage under this General Discharge Permit, that land applies manure, litter, or process wastewater in a manner not in accordance with a NMP is a CAFO that is discharging or proposing to discharge pollutants to surface waters of the State and shall obtain coverage under this General Discharge Permit.
Expected Fee
$120 - $1200
Estimated Processing Time
220 Days
How to Obtain This Permit
Step 1
Notice of Intent (NOI) Submit a complete NOI application form through the online portal. The legal owner’s name must be consistent across all required plans. If a business entity, the legal name must match the title listed in the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) register.
Step 2
Required Plans The following plans must be prepared by a certified plan writer and submitted with the NOI: Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP), including the Resource Concerns Evaluation Worksheet, Nutrient Management Plan (NMP), Soil and Water Conservation Plan (Conservation Plan)
Step 3
Comptroller Liability Check, Business Registration, and Workers’ Compensation 1. Comptroller Liability Check . Ensure there are no liability issues with the Comptroller’s Office. . Individuals: Compliance Department – Individual Collections ?? [email protected] | ? 410-974-2432 . Businesses: Compliance Department – Business Collections ?? [email protected] | ? 410-649-0633 2. Business Registration . Verify that your LLC or Corporation is in good standing with SDAT: ?? Maryland SDAT Business Search 3. Workers’ Compensation Insurance . If you are a corporation employing individuals other than family members, ensure your farm has Workers’ Compensation Insurance. . Pursuant to § 1-202 of the Environment Article, before any license or permit may be issued, an employer must file with the issuing authority either: (a) A certificate of compliance with the Maryland Workers Compensation Act, or (b) The number of a workers compensation insurance policy or binder (see NOI Page 5 for reference).
Download Permit Files
Please download forms below by clicking on the download icon.
Want to apply for the permit?
Want to Learn More?
Contact the following staff members for more information:
Bradley Baker, Resource Management Program
Land and Materials Administration
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs)
Every Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) in Maryland shall have a discharge permit issued by the Department under both State and federal permitting authority. Medium and large Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs) in the AFO Table in Part I.A.9 of this permit are CAFOs if they discharge or propose to discharge pollutants including, but not limited to, manure, poultry litter, or process wastewater to surface waters of the State (as defined in Part II.LL.1 of this General Discharge Permit). Medium or Large AFOs where contact of confined animals with surface waters occurs are included in the definition of CAFOs and require a discharge permit. Any large AFO, not otherwise required to obtain coverage under this General Discharge Permit, that land applies manure, litter, or process wastewater in a manner not in accordance with a NMP is a CAFO that is discharging or proposing to discharge pollutants to surface waters of the State and shall obtain coverage under this General Discharge Permit.
Expected Fee
$120 - $1200
Estimated Processing Time
220 Days
How to Obtain This Permit
Step 1
Notice of Intent (NOI) Submit a complete NOI application form through the online portal. The legal owner’s name must be consistent across all required plans. If a business entity, the legal name must match the title listed in the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) register.
Step 2
Required Plans The following plans must be prepared by a certified plan writer and submitted with the NOI: Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP), including the Resource Concerns Evaluation Worksheet, Nutrient Management Plan (NMP), Soil and Water Conservation Plan (Conservation Plan)
Step 3
Comptroller Liability Check, Business Registration, and Workers’ Compensation Comptroller Liability Check Ensure there are no liability issues with the Comptroller’s Office. Individuals: Compliance Department – Individual Collections 📧 [email protected] | ☎ 410-974-2432 Businesses: Compliance Department – Business Collections 📧 [email protected] | ☎ 410-649-0633 Business Registration Verify that your LLC or Corporation is in good standing with SDAT: 👉 Maryland SDAT Business Search Workers’ Compensation Insurance If you are a corporation employing individuals other than family members, ensure your farm has Workers’ Compensation Insurance. Pursuant to § 1-202 of the Environment Article, before any license or permit may be issued, an employer must file with the issuing authority either: (a) A certificate of compliance with the Maryland Workers' Compensation Act, or (b) The number of a workers' compensation insurance policy or binder (see NOI Page 5 for reference).
Want to apply for the permit?
Want to Learn More?
Contact the following staff members for more information:
Bradley Baker, Resource Management Program
Land and Materials Administration
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs)
Every Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) in Maryland shall have a discharge permit issued by the Department under both State and federal permitting authority. Medium and large Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs) in the AFO Table in Part I.A.9 of this permit are CAFOs if they discharge or propose to discharge pollutants including, but not limited to, manure, poultry litter, or process wastewater to surface waters of the State (as defined in Part II.LL.1 of this General Discharge Permit). Medium or Large AFOs where contact of confined animals with surface waters occurs are included in the definition of CAFOs and require a discharge permit. Any large AFO, not otherwise required to obtain coverage under this General Discharge Permit, that land applies manure, litter, or process wastewater in a manner not in accordance with a NMP is a CAFO that is discharging or proposing to discharge pollutants to surface waters of the State and shall obtain coverage under this General Discharge Permit.
Expected Fee
$120 - $1200
Estimated Processing Time
220 Days
How to Obtain This Permit
Step 1
Notice of Intent (NOI) Submit a complete NOI application form through the online portal. The legal owner’s name must be consistent across all required plans. If a business entity, the legal name must match the title listed in the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) register.
Step 2
Required Plans The following plans must be prepared by a certified plan writer and submitted with the NOI: Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP), including the Resource Concerns Evaluation Worksheet, Nutrient Management Plan (NMP), Soil and Water Conservation Plan (Conservation Plan)
Step 3
Comptroller Liability Check, Business Registration, and Workers’ Compensation Comptroller Liability Check Ensure there are no liability issues with the Comptroller’s Office. Individuals: Compliance Department – Individual Collections 📧 [email protected] | ☎ 410-974-2432 Businesses: Compliance Department – Business Collections 📧 [email protected] | ☎ 410-649-0633 Business Registration Verify that your LLC or Corporation is in good standing with SDAT: 👉 Maryland SDAT Business Search Workers’ Compensation Insurance If you are a corporation employing individuals other than family members, ensure your farm has Workers’ Compensation Insurance. Pursuant to § 1-202 of the Environment Article, before any license or permit may be issued, an employer must file with the issuing authority either: (a) A certificate of compliance with the Maryland Workers' Compensation Act, or (b) The number of a workers' compensation insurance policy or binder (see NOI Page 5 for reference).
Want to apply for the permit?
Want to Learn More?
Contact the following staff members for more information:
Bradley Baker, Resource Management Program
Land and Materials Administration
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs)
Every Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) in Maryland shall have a discharge permit issued by the Department under both State and federal permitting authority. Medium and large Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs) in the AFO Table in Part I.A.9 of this permit are CAFOs if they discharge or propose to discharge pollutants including, but not limited to, manure, poultry litter, or process wastewater to surface waters of the State (as defined in Part II.LL.1 of this General Discharge Permit). Medium or Large AFOs where contact of confined animals with surface waters occurs are included in the definition of CAFOs and require a discharge permit. Any large AFO, not otherwise required to obtain coverage under this General Discharge Permit, that land applies manure, litter, or process wastewater in a manner not in accordance with a NMP is a CAFO that is discharging or proposing to discharge pollutants to surface waters of the State and shall obtain coverage under this General Discharge Permit.
Expected Fee
$120 - $1200
Estimated Processing Time
220 Days
How to Obtain This Permit
Step 1
Notice of Intent (NOI) Submit a complete NOI application form through the online portal. The legal owner’s name must be consistent across all required plans. If a business entity, the legal name must match the title listed in the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) register.
Step 2
Required Plans The following plans must be prepared by a certified plan writer and submitted with the NOI: Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP), including the Resource Concerns Evaluation Worksheet, Nutrient Management Plan (NMP), Soil and Water Conservation Plan (Conservation Plan)
Step 3
Comptroller Liability Check, Business Registration, and Workers’ Compensation Comptroller Liability Check Ensure there are no liability issues with the Comptroller’s Office. Individuals: Compliance Department – Individual Collections 📧 [email protected] | ☎ 410-974-2432 Businesses: Compliance Department – Business Collections 📧 [email protected] | ☎ 410-649-0633 Business Registration Verify that your LLC or Corporation is in good standing with SDAT: 👉 Maryland SDAT Business Search Workers’ Compensation Insurance If you are a corporation employing individuals other than family members, ensure your farm has Workers’ Compensation Insurance. Pursuant to § 1-202 of the Environment Article, before any license or permit may be issued, an employer must file with the issuing authority either: (a) A certificate of compliance with the Maryland Workers' Compensation Act, or (b) The number of a workers' compensation insurance policy or binder (see NOI Page 5 for reference).
Want to apply for the permit?
Want to Learn More?
Contact the following staff members for more information:
Bradley Baker, Resource Management Program
Land and Materials Administration
Maryland Animal Feeding Operations (MAFOs)
An AFO that does not meet the criteria of Parts I.A.1 through I.A.4 of this General Discharge Permit but meets the “Large” size category threshold in the AFO Table in Part I.A.9 based on either the number of animals or house capacity (ft2 ) is a Maryland Animal Feeding Operation (MAFO). Every MAFO in Maryland is required to obtain a State discharge permit issued by the Department under State permitting authority. Any MAFO automatically becomes a CAFO upon the occurrence of a discharge of pollutants to surface waters of the State or when the MAFO proposes to discharge to Surface waters of the State. A MAFO that has automatically become a CAFO shall submit a new Notice of Intent (NOI) and Required Plans, and shall comply with all CAFO permit requirements contained herein.
Expected Fee
$0
Estimated Processing Time
160 Days to 36 months
How to Obtain This Permit
Step 1
Submit the General Discharge Permit for Animal Feeding Operations Notice of Intent
Step 2
Submit the Resource Concern Evaluation Worksheet
Want to apply for the permit?
Want to Learn More?
Contact the following staff members for more information:
Bradley Baker, Resource Management Program
Land and Materials Administration
Maryland Animal Feeding Operations (MAFOs)
An AFO that does not meet the criteria of Parts I.A.1 through I.A.4 of this General Discharge Permit but meets the “Large” size category threshold in the AFO Table in Part I.A.9 based on either the number of animals or house capacity (ft2 ) is a Maryland Animal Feeding Operation (MAFO). Every MAFO in Maryland is required to obtain a State discharge permit issued by the Department under State permitting authority. Any MAFO automatically becomes a CAFO upon the occurrence of a discharge of pollutants to surface waters of the State or when the MAFO proposes to discharge to Surface waters of the State. A MAFO that has automatically become a CAFO shall submit a new Notice of Intent (NOI) and Required Plans, and shall comply with all CAFO permit requirements contained herein.
Expected Fee
$0
Estimated Processing Time
160 Days to 36 months
How to Obtain This Permit
Step 1
Submit the General Discharge Permit for Animal Feeding Operations Notice of Intent
Step 2
Submit the Resource Concern Evaluation Worksheet
Want to apply for the permit?
Want to Learn More?
Contact the following staff members for more information:
Bradley Baker, Resource Management Program
Land and Materials Administration
Maryland Animal Feeding Operations (MAFOs)
An AFO that does not meet the criteria of Parts I.A.1 through I.A.4 of this General Discharge Permit but meets the “Large” size category threshold in the AFO Table in Part I.A.9 based on either the number of animals or house capacity (ft2 ) is a Maryland Animal Feeding Operation (MAFO). Every MAFO in Maryland is required to obtain a State discharge permit issued by the Department under State permitting authority. Any MAFO automatically becomes a CAFO upon the occurrence of a discharge of pollutants to surface waters of the State or when the MAFO proposes to discharge to Surface waters of the State. A MAFO that has automatically become a CAFO shall submit a new Notice of Intent (NOI) and Required Plans, and shall comply with all CAFO permit requirements contained herein.
Expected Fee
$0
Estimated Processing Time
160 Days to 36 months
How to Obtain This Permit
Step 1
Submit the General Discharge Permit for Animal Feeding Operations Notice of Intent
Step 2
Submit the Resource Concern Evaluation Worksheet
Want to apply for the permit?
Want to Learn More?
Contact the following staff members for more information:
Bradley Baker, Resource Management Program
Land and Materials Administration
Maryland Animal Feeding Operations (MAFOs)
An AFO that does not meet the criteria of Parts I.A.1 through I.A.4 of this General Discharge Permit but meets the “Large” size category threshold in the AFO Table in Part I.A.9 based on either the number of animals or house capacity (ft2 ) is a Maryland Animal Feeding Operation (MAFO). Every MAFO in Maryland is required to obtain a State discharge permit issued by the Department under State permitting authority.
Expected Fee
$0
Estimated Processing Time
160 Days to 36 months
How to Obtain This Permit
Step 1
Submit the General Discharge Permit for Animal Feeding Operations Notice of Intent
Step 2
Submit the Resource Concern Evaluation Worksheet
Want to apply for the permit?
Want to Learn More?
Contact the following staff members for more information:
Bradley Baker, Resource Management Program
Land and Materials Administration