401 & Buffer Application Forms and Help Documents
From this page, you'll be able to access all the 401 & Buffer Permitting electronic submittal forms and help documents, as well as our 401 & Buffer Wetlands ePayments System.
Please scroll down to access the following categories of submission forms and help documents:
- 401 Water Quality Online Submissions Forms
- Pre-Construction Notification (PCN), Help Document & General Application Form
- Pre-Construction Notification (PCN), Help Document & General Application Form
- Stream Determination Applications and Information
- Shoreline Stabilization Application Information
- Notification of Work in Trout Watersheds
401 Water Quality Online Submissions Forms
Use the 401 Water Quality Online Submissions Form to submit the the following:
- Buffer Authorization
- Certificate of Completion
- Major Variance
- Minor Variance
- For the Record Only (Courtesy Copy)
- New Project
- Modification/New Project with Existing ID
- More Information Response - Existing Project
- Other Agency Comments
- Pre-Application Information
- Pre-Construction Notification (PCN) Application
- Re-issuance\Renewal Request
- Stream Origin/Buffer Applicability Determination
- Shoreline Stabilization.
Please use the Electronic Buffer Authorization Form for projects seeking approval for activities within protected riparian buffers that do not impact surface waters (streams, wetlands or open waters).
For assistance with completing the Electronic Buffer Authorization Form, please see the document below
Downloadable versions are provided below:
Major and Minor Variances fall under one of two jurisdictions:
| Implemented by Local Authority | Implemented by DWR | |
|---|---|---|
| Minor Variance | Please contact the local authority for Minor variance procedures. | To request a minor variance for projects under DWR jurisdiction, you must submit a complete a Buffer Variance Application Minor variances are reviewed and processed by the Division. |
| Major Variance | Please contact the local authority for Major variance procedures. | A proposed major variance must be presented before the Environmental Management Commission (EMC) Water Quality Committee (WQC). Your complete Buffer Variance Application must be submitted electronically at least 90 days before the EMC meeting the project is to be presented at. Please note that we cannot guarantee the proposed major variance will be presented at the next WQC meeting. |
| Contact Information |
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- *Submittal Meeting can provide an opportunity to:
- Discuss the general scope of your project;
- Give a history of your site;
- Talk about design considerations;
- Present new ideas, designs and technology;
- Identify rules and regulations that may create opportunities or lead to constraints;
- Ask preliminary questions of the reviewer;
- Provide feedback;
- Understand the variance process.
Additional Links:
Major/Minor Variance Application Form (for all Basins/Watersheds) (Word doc)
Major/Minor Variance Help Document (for all Basins/Watersheds) (.pdf)
Division of Water Resources (DWR) staff determine the presence and location of waters of the State, including streams.
To schedule a stream determination, please submit an Electronic Stream Determination Form or contact the appropriate regional office.
| All Regions- statewide: | Express Stream Determinations |
|---|---|
Submit an | This method is only available for the Washington and Wilmington Regions. Please contact the Region directly for more information |
| Contact: Regional Offices | Please contact the Region directly |
DRW staff are trained to use the standardized Methodology for Identification of Intermittent and Perennial Streams and their Origins which was developed by the division. For more information about the current version of the Methodology, please visit the Surface Water Identification Training and Certification (SWITC) Course webpage.
A list of certified individuals is available and updated regularly.
| Certificate of Completion | Sample Deed Notification Template | Sample Agent Authorization Form |
|---|---|---|
| Upon completion of all work approved within the 401 Water Quality Certification or applicable Buffer Rules, and any subsequent modifications, the applicant is required to submit it to the DWR 401 & Buffer Permitting Branch. This form may be returned to DWR by the applicant, the applicant’s authorized agent, or the project engineer. | Used to certify compliance with wetland and Buffer Regulations | Used to Authorize a contractor of a consulting form to act on your behalf when applying for permits/certifications |
Pre-Construction Notification (PCN), Help Document & Payments
The Electronic PCN Form is used for submittal of:
- 401 WQC
- Isolated Wetlands/Water Permit (for isolated streams)
- and Buffer Authorizations
| Additional resources: |
|---|
| Downloadable PCN Form ( version 4.3 - 12/6/2024 update) |
| PCN Help Document |
| PCN Form Submittal Checklist |
Project Submittal Interim Form
| Use the Project Submittal Interim Form for the submittal of: |
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401 and Buffer-Wetlands ePayments
Fee Schedule
Applications received as of July 1, 2025 are subject to the following fee schedule:
Scale of impacts to wetlands1, waters1, and streams2 | Fee Schedule |
| Major3 water quality applications: Greater than or equal to one acre of wetlands/ waters AND/OR greater than or equal to 150 feet of streams (intermittent or perennial) | $810.00 |
| Minor3 water quality applications: Less than one acre of wetlands/waters AND less than 150 feet of streams (intermittent or perennial) | $341.00 |
1 Includes all 404 Wetlands and Isolated Wetlands, subject to a permitting program administered by the State of North Carolina
2 Includes all streams claimed by the State of North Carolina, including Isolated or Non-Jurisdictional Streams. US Army Corps of Engineers stream categories such as important/unimportant, or Relatively Permanent Waters are not relevant to this issue
3 The legislation refers to "major" and "minor" applications. These artificial categories refer to combined total impacts for a project, and have no relationship whatsoever to the actual types of 401 Certifications (Individual and General). Fees are based strictly on the scope of impact, not on the type of authorization requested. If you apply for multiple Nationwide Permits and 401 Certifications on a single project, the impacts are added to determine the total application fee
If unable to submit payment online, checks should be made payable to "N.C. Division of Water Resources"*
| Non-Transportation Projects | Transportation Projects |
|---|---|
NC DWR, 401 & Buffer Permitting Branch *If sending first class mail via the US Postal Service | NC DWR, Transportation Permitting Branch *If sending first class mail via the US Postal Service |
NC DWR, 401 & Buffer Permitting Branch *Physical Address (if sending by delivery service, UPS, FedEx, etc.): | NC DWR, Transportation Permitting Branch *Physical Address (if sending by delivery service, UPS, FedEx, etc.): |
*For additional information concerning application and fee processing procedures please visit the 401& Isolated Streams & Stormwater Program page.
Shoreline Stabilization Application Information
Shoreline Stabilization Application Form
Use this form to apply for shoreline stabilization approval.
Please Use the Shoreline Application Instructions for assistance in filling out the form.
Notification of Work in Trout Watersheds
Notification of Work in Trout Watershed Form
This notification form is required as indicated in the general certifications (GC #4134 and GC #4135) corresponding to Nationwide Permits 13 and 14.
For more information regarding trout waters and buffers, please see the Trout Buffers FAQ brochure.