NPDES Construction Program

How to Apply for a Certificate of Coverage

Complete the e-NOI form, consulting the e-NOI form directions. Be sure to upload the NOI Certification Form (with original signature). Notes:

• The NCG01 permittee will be the entity listed in Part B1 of the NOI. That entity must be the same entity as the financially responsible party as listed on the Financial Responsibility/Ownership Form for the NC SPCA.
• Check the e-NOI before you hit "submit."  Common errors are incorrect lat/long, waterbody name/index number, and E&SC Plan approval date. 
• Paper copies of the NOI Certification mailed in should always have original wet-ink signature (not digital). Beginning June 1, 2022, we will not accept uploaded copies of the NOI Certification with digital signature to ensure records consistency.
• You will receive a response within 3 business days after you submit. If DEMLR approves the e-NOI, you will receive an email with directions for paying the $120 annual permit fee (as of October 3, 2023, the fee is now $120). If DEMLR does not approve the e-NOI, you will receive an email explaining the deficiencies.
• Do not pay the permit fee before receiving the email that your e-NOI is approved.
• Within 3 business days of DEMLR receiving payment, you will receive an email with the COC attached.

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 current permit year, then you are responsible for paying the next annual permit fee.
• Electronic payment on the Stormwater ePayments page is preferred to payment by paper check. Be sure to enter the COC number, which is the permit number (not the invoice number or "NCG010000").
• Payments made to DEMLR cannot be refunded.

FEE ADJUSTMENTS NOTE: The General Permit annual fee is now $120. North Carolina’s 2023 Appropriations Act Session Law 2023-134 includes fee adjustments for 28 Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) programs, including Stormwater. A full list of fee adjustments is available on the DEQ website.

How to Terminate a Certificate of Coverage

Complete the e-NOT form, being sure to upload a completed Notice of Termination Certification (with original signature). Notes:

• An e-NOT must be submitted when a project is closed out, sold, or there is a mistake in the COC such as incorrect owner information.
• Before you submit an e-NOT, you must close out the E&SC Plan with the appropriate DEMLR Regional Office or Local Erosion and Sediment Program.
• If the construction activity is sold and land disturbance is still occurring, then the new Owner/Operator must apply for a new COC and the old permittee needs to submit an e-NOT. These permits are not transferrable.
• If you receive an invoice for a project that is already closed out, you are not required to pay the annual permit fee for the upcoming year as long as the e-NOT form is submitted within 30 days of the invoice date.
• Paper copies of the NOT Certification mailed in should always have original wet-ink signature (not digital). Beginning June 1, 2022, we will not accept uploaded copies of the NOT Certification with digital signature to ensure records consistency.

How to Modify a Construction Permit File

Complete the Modification form. 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.
• The Permittee or appropriately authorized individual within the Permittee organization must sign and submit the modification request. A modification request by a consultant or someone outside of the Permittee organization will not be accepted.
• This form may also be used for changes to Legally Responsible Individual, but not Entity.
• This form may NOT be used to change project ownership. The new owner must submit an e-NOI form and the previous owner must submit an e-NOT form.

How to Find Construction Permit Information

Construction NPDES Permit List (Active/Expired)  as of 10/23/2024
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

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