How to Fill Out the North Carolina DEQ NPDES Industrial Stormwater Permit (NCG030000 Notice of Intent) + FAQs

The North Carolina NCG030000 Notice of Intent (NOI) is the application that metal-working and machinery facilities file with the NC Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources to get permission to discharge stormwater under the state’s general industrial stormwater permit. If your site falls under SIC codes 335, 3398, 34, 35, 36, 37, or 38 and rain runs across your industrial areas into a ditch, creek, or storm drain, you must file this form before you discharge.

The Division runs the federal Clean Water Act program in North Carolina, so a missed or sloppy filing is not a paperwork problem. It can lead to a Class 2 misdemeanor, a fine up to $10,000 under N.C. General Statute 143-215.6B, and a hold on your right to operate. North Carolina oversees roughly 5,000 industrial stormwater permittees, and applications that arrive without the $127 check, the site diagram, or the Secretary of State report are returned unprocessed, which can delay coverage by months.

Here is what you will learn in this guide:

  • 📋 What the NCG030000 NOI is, who must file it, and which SIC codes trigger it
  • 🗂️ Every document and ID number to gather before you open the form
  • ✍️ A line-by-line walkthrough of all seven items, with sample entries
  • 🏭 Three full filled-out examples following real facilities from start to finish
  • ⚠️ The field-level mistakes that get applications returned and how to avoid them

This guide uses the current 2025 revision of the NCG030000 NOI, which is the version posted on the DEMLR Stormwater Program page. Confirm you have the 2025 form before you start, because older versions ask for different items.

What the Form Is and Who Must File It

The NCG030000 Notice of Intent is a request for “coverage” under a general permit. A general permit is one set of rules the state writes once and then applies to many similar facilities, instead of writing a custom permit for each site. When you file the NOI and the state accepts it, you receive a Certificate of Coverage (COC) that ties your facility to the NCG030000 general permit.

You must file if your facility carries one of these Standard Industrial Classification codes and has stormwater that touches industrial activity: SIC 335 (rolling, drawing, and extruding of nonferrous metals), SIC 3398 (metal heat treating), SIC 34 (fabricated metal products), SIC 35 (industrial and commercial machinery), SIC 36 (electronic and other electrical equipment), SIC 37 (transportation equipment), and SIC 38 (measuring, analyzing, and controlling instruments). If your operation does not fit any general permit, you instead apply for an individual permit, which the NPDES Industrial Program page covers separately.

The legal backbone is the federal Clean Water Act and its stormwater rule at 40 CFR 122.26, which North Carolina runs under delegated authority. The state requires the filing under N.C.G.S. 143-215.1, which makes it unlawful to discharge waste, including stormwater carrying pollutants, without a permit. Skipping the NOI does not just risk a fine. It exposes the responsible person to personal liability for civil and criminal penalties, because the form’s certification puts that liability on a named human being, not the company.

A common misconception is that a small shop with a roof and a paved lot does not need this permit. The trigger is not size. It is exposure of industrial materials, machinery, or waste to rain, so even a modest fabrication shop with outdoor scrap bins usually qualifies.

Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need

Filers who gather everything first finish the NOI in one sitting. Filers who open the form cold almost always stall on the outfall coordinates or the Secretary of State report. Pull these items together before you write anything.

  • Legal entity name exactly as registered with the NC Secretary of State. A nickname or “doing business as” name that does not match state records slows verification.
  • Most recent Annual Report filed with the NC Secretary of State. A business owner must attach a copy, and the application is returned without it.
  • The 4-digit SIC code for your facility. The wrong code can route you to the wrong permit and void your coverage.
  • Parcel Identification Number (PIN) from your county tax office. This ties the permit to a real property and prevents location disputes.
  • Latitude and longitude of both the site entrance and each outfall, in decimal degrees. Missing or guessed coordinates trigger a return because the state plots them.
  • A site diagram showing drainage areas, surface waters, control measures, outfalls, conveyances, material storage, impervious areas, and property lines. No diagram, no coverage.
  • A county map or USGS quad sheet with the facility marked. This confirms the receiving water and watershed.
  • A $127 check payable to NCDEQ. The fee is set in N.C.G.S. 143-215.3D, and a missing or wrong-amount check stops the file cold.
  • Receiving water name and classification, found in the state surface water classification lists. This drives whether stricter limits apply.
  • Any other NPDES or non-discharge permit numbers your facility already holds, so the state can link your records.

If any one of these is missing, the DEMLR Stormwater Program returns the package, and your discharge stays unauthorized until you refile. Treat the checklist as a gate, not a suggestion.

Where to Get the Form and How to Access It

The official 2025 NCG030000 NOI is a fillable five-page PDF posted on the NCG030000 Notice of Intent page on the DEQ website. You can also reach it through the DEQ Forms hub under Stormwater Program Forms. Download the PDF directly from the agency rather than a third-party site, because only the agency copy carries the current revision and the correct mailing address.

You may print the blank form and complete it by hand, or type your entries into the fillable fields and then print it. The state accepts a printed, signed original sent by mail, and the form’s own directions say to “print or type all entries on this application.” There is no online submission portal for the NCG030000 NOI itself, so the paper package is the path for this permit.

Each industry group has its own NOI, so make sure the top of your form reads “NCG030000” and lists the metal and machinery SIC codes. Other general permits, like NCG020000 for mining or NCG010000 for construction, use separate forms with different items. Filing the wrong industry form sends you back to the start, so match the form number to your SIC code before you fill in a single box.

Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the NCG030000 NOI Line by Line

The form has a header block plus seven numbered items across five pages. Complete them in order. Use black ink or typed text, write coordinates in decimal degrees, and keep a full copy of everything you send.

Header Block: NCG03 Number and Assigned Office

What it asks in plain English. The very top has a blank “NCG03 _ _ _ _ _” number and an “Assigned to” line with regional office codes (ARO, FRO, MRO, RRO, WARO, WIRO, WSRO).

How to answer it. Leave both blank. The state fills in your certificate number and assigns your regional office after it reviews the application. You only complete the body of the form below this block.

A specific example. Carlos Mendez, opening a new sheet-metal shop, leaves the NCG03 number empty and does not guess a regional office code.

A nuance or edge case. If you are renewing or modifying an existing coverage, you may already know your NCG03 number from your current Certificate of Coverage, but you still leave the blank for staff unless a cover letter asks you to reference it.

A common mistake and its consequence. Writing a made-up number in the NCG03 box confuses intake staff and can attach your file to the wrong facility, which delays your review.

A misconception people hold. Many filers think the blank number means the form is incomplete and they must find a number first. It does not. The number is the state’s job, not yours.

Item 1: Owner/Operator

What it asks in plain English. This block identifies the legal entity and the person who is legally on the hook for the permit, plus the mailing address where all permit letters will go.

How to answer it. Enter the “Name of legal organizational entity” exactly as registered with the Secretary of State, then the “Legally responsible person as signed in Item (7),” the street address, city, state, ZIP, phone, and email. Then check the correct “Type of Ownership” box: under Government choose County, Federal, Municipal, or State; under Non-government choose Business or Individual. If you check Business, you must attach a copy of the NC Secretary of State (NCSOS) report.

A specific example. Mendez Metalworks LLC writes its full legal name, lists Carlos Mendez as the responsible person, enters its Raleigh mailing address, and checks Business.

A nuance or edge case. If the owner and the day-to-day operator are different companies, the entity responsible for permit compliance goes here, not a property landlord who has no operational control.

A common mistake and its consequence. Listing a trade name instead of the registered legal entity creates a mismatch with state records and gets the file flagged for correction.

A misconception people hold. Filers think “owner” means whoever owns the building. It means the entity responsible for the industrial activity and the permit.

Item 1 Field Focus: Legally Responsible Person

What it asks in plain English. It names the individual whose signature will appear in the certification at Item 7.

How to answer it. Use a person who meets the signatory rules, normally a corporate officer, a general partner, a sole proprietor, or a ranking elected official for government. Write the person’s full name, not a department.

A specific example. Carlos Mendez, Managing Member, is named here and later signs Item 7.

A nuance or edge case. A plant manager can sign only if a proper authority delegation exists; otherwise the corporate officer must sign.

A common mistake and its consequence. Naming one person here and having a different person sign Item 7 voids the certification and the application is returned.

A misconception people hold. People think any employee can be listed. The signatory must have legal authority to bind the company.

Item 2: Industrial Facility

What it asks in plain English. This block describes the actual site being permitted, which may sit at a different address than the owner’s mailing address.

How to answer it. Enter the facility name, the facility environmental contact, the site street address, city, state, ZIP, the Parcel Identification Number (PIN), county, phone, email, and the 4-digit SIC code. Check whether the facility is New, Proposed, or Existing, give the date operation began or will begin, and enter the latitude and longitude of the entrance. Add a brief description of the industrial activities and products. If stormwater goes to a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4), name the MS4 operator, or check N/A.

A specific example. Mendez Metalworks LLC enters SIC 3441, checks New, lists a start date of 07/15/2026, and writes 35.7796 latitude and -78.6382 longitude for the entrance.

A nuance or edge case. If your stormwater drains into a city or county storm drain system, you must name that MS4 operator, because the city has its own permit that interacts with yours.

A common mistake and its consequence. Entering the owner’s mailing address instead of the physical site means inspectors visit the wrong place and your review stalls.

A misconception people hold. Filers assume the SIC code is optional detail. It defines eligibility, and the wrong code can disqualify your coverage.

Item 2 Field Focus: 4-Digit SIC Code and New/Proposed/Existing

What it asks in plain English. It pins down your exact industry code and your operating status.

How to answer it. Pick the single primary 4-digit SIC code that best matches your dominant activity, then check one status box. New means built and not yet operating, Proposed means planned, and Existing means already running.

A specific example. A transportation-equipment plant writes 3714 and checks Existing with a start date of 03/01/2009.

A nuance or edge case. A facility with several activities still lists one primary SIC code, but should describe the mix in the activities box below.

A common mistake and its consequence. Checking Existing while operating without prior coverage signals an unpermitted discharge, which can trigger enforcement on top of the application.

A misconception people hold. People think “New” and “Proposed” are the same. The state treats them differently for inspection timing.

Item 3: Consultant (If Applicable)

What it asks in plain English. This optional block names a consultant who helps prepare the application or manage compliance.

How to answer it. If a consultant assists you, enter the consultant name, consulting firm, street address, city, state, ZIP, phone, and email. If you prepared the form yourself, leave the entire block blank.

A specific example. Janet Pruitt, P.E. of BlueRidge Environmental lists her firm here when she files on behalf of a client.

A nuance or edge case. Naming a consultant does not shift legal responsibility. The Item 7 signatory still owns all liability.

A common mistake and its consequence. Filers list a consultant and then expect the state to mail permit letters to that consultant. Correspondence goes to the Item 1 owner address, so the responsible person can miss deadlines.

A misconception people hold. People think a consultant’s name makes the application more credible. It does not change review at all.

Item 4: Outfall(s)

What it asks in plain English. An outfall is the point where stormwater leaves your property, such as a pipe end or ditch. The form needs at least one outfall, and every outfall must be listed.

How to answer it. For each outfall, enter a 3-4 digit identifier, the name of the receiving water, its classification, and check This water is impaired and This watershed has a TMDL where they apply. Then enter the latitude and longitude of the outfall and a brief description of the industrial activities that drain to it. The form holds five outfalls on page 2, with more space under “Additional Outfalls” on page 5.

A specific example. Mendez Metalworks LLC labels its single outfall 001, names the receiving water Walnut Creek, lists class C; NSW, enters coordinates, and writes roof and parking runoff plus scrap storage area.

A nuance or edge case. If your receiving water is impaired or has a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), check those boxes, because stricter monitoring or limits may apply to your outfall.

A common mistake and its consequence. Listing only one outfall when the site has three understates your discharge and is treated as an incomplete or false application.

A misconception people hold. Filers think a ditch is not an outfall. Any point where industrial stormwater leaves the property counts.

Item 5: Other Facility Conditions

What it asks in plain English. This block flags special conditions: other permits, best management practices, a pollution prevention plan, hazardous waste, floodplain storage, and contaminated sites.

How to answer it. Check all that apply and explain each. List any other NPDES permit numbers and any non-discharge permit numbers. If you use best management practices or structural control measures, describe them and show them on the site diagram. If you have a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), give the date it was implemented. If you store hazardous waste in the 100-year floodplain, describe the flood protection. Mark any hazardous waste generator, treatment, storage, or disposal status and fill in the waste details, including kilograms per month, type, storage method and location, shipments per year, vendor name, vendor EPA ID, and vendor address. Check whether the site is on a Brownfield or Superfund site.

A specific example. A heat-treating plant checks uses best management practices, describes an oil-water separator, checks has a SWPPP, and lists an implementation date of 05/01/2026.

A nuance or edge case. A facility that generates small amounts of hazardous waste still checks the generator box and lists kilograms per month, even if the amount seems minor.

A common mistake and its consequence. Leaving the SWPPP box unchecked when a plan exists creates a record gap that surfaces during inspection and can support a violation finding.

A misconception people hold. Filers think these boxes are informational only. They set enforceable conditions and influence your inspection.

Item 6: Required Items

What it asks in plain English. This is the packaging checklist. The form states the application “will be returned unless all of the following items have been included.”

How to answer it. Check each box only after the item is physically in your envelope: the $127 check payable to NCDEQ, a copy of the most recent NC Secretary of State Annual Report (if applicable), the completed application and supporting documents, a site diagram showing drainage area outlines, surface waters, stormwater management structures, outfall locations matching the drainage areas, runoff conveyance features, material storage areas, impervious areas, and property lines, and a county map or USGS quad sheet with the facility marked.

A specific example. Carlos Mendez paper-clips a $127 check, his LLC’s Annual Report, a one-page site diagram, and a marked county map, then checks all four boxes.

A nuance or edge case. A sole proprietor filing as an Individual rather than a Business does not need the Secretary of State report, which is why the form says “if applicable.”

A common mistake and its consequence. Submitting a site diagram that omits property lines or material storage areas gets the whole package returned, because the diagram is a required item.

A misconception people hold. Filers believe checking the boxes is enough. The boxes only confirm items you actually enclosed; staff verify the contents.

Item 7: Applicant Certification and Signature

What it asks in plain English. This is the legal oath. It warns that a knowingly false statement is a Class 2 misdemeanor under N.C.G.S. 143-215.6B with a fine up to $10,000, then asks you to certify four statements and sign.

How to answer it. Check all four certification boxes: that you are the responsible person, that the information is true and complete, that you will abide by the permit, and that you request coverage under NCG030000. Then print the applicant’s name, write the title, sign, and date. The signer must be the same legally responsible person named in Item 1.

A specific example. Carlos Mendez prints his name, writes Managing Member, signs in blue ink, and dates it 06/20/2026.

A nuance or edge case. An electronic or stamped signature is not accepted for the mailed original, so a wet-ink signature is the safe choice.

A common mistake and its consequence. Sending an unsigned or undated form is the single fastest way to get a return, because an unsigned certification has no legal force.

A misconception people hold. People think the certification is boilerplate. It transfers personal criminal and civil liability to the signer, so the named person should read every line.

Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios

These three named filers show how different facilities complete the same form. Each table follows one filer through the key sections.

Scenario 1: Carlos Mendez, New Sheet-Metal Fabrication Shop

Carlos is opening a brand-new fabricated metal products shop and needs coverage before he discharges.

Form Section What Carlos Enters
Item 1 legal entity Mendez Metalworks LLC
Item 1 responsible person Carlos Mendez, Managing Member
Item 1 ownership type Business (attaches NCSOS report)
Item 2 SIC code 3441
Item 2 facility status New, begins 07/15/2026
Item 2 entrance coordinates 35.7796, -78.6382
Item 4 outfall 001, Walnut Creek, class C;NSW
Item 6 required items $127 check, diagram, county map, SOS report
Item 7 signature Carlos Mendez, dated 06/20/2026

Scenario 2: Janet Pruitt, P.E., Consultant Filing for an Existing Machinery Plant

Janet is an environmental consultant filing on behalf of an existing industrial machinery client that has run for years without realizing it needed coverage.

Form Section What Janet Enters for the Client
Item 1 legal entity Piedmont Machine Works Inc.
Item 1 responsible person Dana Reyes, Vice President
Item 2 SIC code 3559
Item 2 facility status Existing, began 03/01/2009
Item 3 consultant Janet Pruitt, BlueRidge Environmental
Item 4 outfalls 001 and 002, both to Haw River
Item 5 conditions SWPPP checked, implemented 05/01/2026
Item 6 required items $127 check, diagram, SOS report, quad sheet
Item 7 signature Dana Reyes, not Janet

Scenario 3: Aisha Bello, Existing Electronics Plant Adding a Second Outfall

Aisha manages compliance for an electronics manufacturer that is filing fresh coverage and must list two outfalls and a floodplain note.

Form Section What Aisha Enters
Item 1 legal entity Triangle Circuits Corp.
Item 1 responsible person Aisha Bello, EHS Director
Item 2 SIC code 3674
Item 2 facility status Existing, began 11/01/2015
Item 4 outfall 1 001, Crabtree Creek, impaired checked
Item 4 outfall 2 002, Crabtree Creek, TMDL checked
Item 5 conditions hazardous waste generator, 40 kg/month
Item 6 required items $127 check, diagram, county map, SOS report
Item 7 signature Aisha Bello, dated 06/22/2026

How to File the Completed Form

The NCG030000 NOI is filed by mail as a single paper package. The state does not offer an online portal for this specific NOI, so the mailing channel is the only route.

  • Mail. Send the original signed application and all required items to: DEMLR – Stormwater Program, Department of Environmental Quality, 1612 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1612. The physical courier address used in the form’s directions is NCDEMLR Stormwater Program, 1612 MSC, Raleigh, NC 27699-1612.
  • Fee. Include a $127 check payable to NCDEQ, set by N.C.G.S. 143-215.3D. The fee is nonrefundable even if the application is denied, per the NPDES Stormwater Permit Fees schedule effective July 1, 2025.
  • Payment method. A business or personal check is the standard method; do not send cash.
  • Processing time. The submission does not guarantee coverage, and a site inspection is conducted before coverage is granted, so plan for several weeks to a few months.
  • Proof of filing. Mail with tracking or certified mail, and keep a full copy of the signed package and the check number as your proof.

Once covered, you also begin electronic monitoring reporting through the state’s eDMR system, so register promptly after you receive your Certificate of Coverage.

What Happens After You File

After the state receives your package, intake staff check that every required item is present. If anything is missing, they return the application, and your discharge stays unauthorized until you resend a complete package. A clean package moves to technical review and a pre-coverage site inspection.

The Division conducts a site inspection before granting coverage, so an inspector visits to confirm your outfalls, drainage, and control measures match your diagram. If the site passes, the state issues a Certificate of Coverage with your NCG03 number and assigns a regional office. You then must follow the NCG030000 general permit conditions, including the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan, benchmark monitoring, and the tiered response system that ramps up actions when sample results exceed benchmarks.

An annual fee equal to the new permit fee applies beginning one year after issuance, per the fee schedule. Miss it, and your coverage can lapse. Coverage renewal carries no fee, but you must renew on time to keep operating lawfully.

Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form

  • Using a trade name instead of the legal entity in Item 1. The record mismatch flags the file for correction and delays review.
  • Omitting the $127 check. The package is returned unprocessed, and your discharge stays illegal.
  • Forgetting the Secretary of State Annual Report for a Business. The form requires it, so the application bounces back.
  • Leaving the entrance or outfall coordinates blank. Staff cannot plot the site, so they return the form.
  • Submitting a site diagram missing required elements. A diagram without property lines or material storage areas is rejected.
  • Listing only one outfall when several exist. This understates discharge and can be treated as a false statement.
  • Choosing the wrong 4-digit SIC code. A wrong code can route you to the wrong permit and void coverage.
  • Naming one person in Item 1 but signing Item 7 with another. The mismatched certification has no legal force.
  • Sending an unsigned or undated form. An unsigned certification is invalid, so the package is returned.
  • Checking Existing while operating with no prior coverage. This admits an unpermitted discharge and can trigger enforcement.
  • Filing the wrong industry NOI. Using the NCG02 mining form for a metal shop sends you back to the start.
  • Expecting permit letters to go to the consultant. Correspondence goes to the Item 1 owner, so deadlines get missed.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s – Do match your legal entity name to Secretary of State records, because mismatches stall verification. – Do enter coordinates in decimal degrees for the entrance and every outfall, because the state plots them. – Do attach a complete site diagram with all eight required elements, because it is a returnable item. – Do mail with tracking, because you need proof the package arrived. – Do keep a full copy of the signed package, because you may need to prove what you sent. – Do have the named responsible person sign Item 7, because that signature carries the legal liability.

Don’ts – Don’t guess the SIC code, because the wrong code can void your coverage. – Don’t send cash, because the state expects a $127 check payable to NCDEQ. – Don’t leave the NCG03 header number filled in, because the state assigns it. – Don’t skip the Secretary of State report for a Business, because the form requires it. – Don’t list fewer outfalls than you have, because that can be treated as a false statement. – Don’t assume submission equals coverage, because a site inspection comes first.

Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help

Filing Pro Se (Yourself) Filing With a Consultant
Saves consultant fees, since the state fee is only $127 Adds cost, but a consultant catches errors that cause returns
You learn your own site and permit conditions firsthand A P.E. can prepare a compliant site diagram quickly
Full control over timing and signatures Faster turnaround when you lack in-house staff
Direct contact with the regional office Expertise with outfalls, SIC codes, and TMDL flags
Good fit for a simple single-outfall shop Better fit for multi-outfall or hazardous waste sites

Cons of pro se filing include a higher chance of a returned package, missed required items, and a weak site diagram that fails inspection. Cons of using a consultant include cost, reliance on a third party for deadlines, and the fact that the named signer still keeps all legal liability regardless of who prepared the form.

FAQs

Do I need this permit if my shop is small?

Yes. The trigger is exposure of industrial materials to rain, not facility size, so even a small fabrication shop with outdoor storage usually needs NCG030000 coverage.

Do I fill in the NCG03 number at the top of the form?

No. The state assigns your NCG03 number and regional office after review, so you leave that header block blank.

Do I send a fee with the NOI?

Yes. Include a $127 check payable to NCDEQ, because the application is returned without it under the 2025 fee schedule.

Do I list the owner’s address or the site address in Item 2?

No. Item 2 takes the physical facility address, while Item 1 takes the owner’s mailing address, so the two can differ.

Do I need to attach the Secretary of State Annual Report?

Yes. If you check Business in Item 1, you must attach the most recent NC Secretary of State Annual Report or the package is returned.

Do I have to list every outfall in Item 4?

Yes. All outfalls must be listed and at least one is required, so listing fewer than you have can be treated as a false statement.

Do I write coordinates as decimal degrees in Item 2 and Item 4?

Yes. Enter latitude and longitude for both the entrance and each outfall so the state can plot your site accurately.

Do I check the impaired water box in Item 4 if I am unsure?

No. Only check it when the receiving water is actually listed as impaired, because the box can trigger stricter monitoring.

Do I need a consultant to file?

No. You can file pro se, but a consultant helps multi-outfall or hazardous waste sites avoid returned applications.

Do I sign Item 7 myself if I am the office manager?

No. The signer must be the legally responsible person named in Item 1, such as an officer, partner, or sole proprietor.

Do I get coverage as soon as I mail the form?

No. Submission does not guarantee coverage, and the state conducts a site inspection before issuing your Certificate of Coverage.

Do I file the NCG030000 form online?

No. This NOI is filed by mailed paper package to the DEMLR Stormwater Program in Raleigh, not through an online portal.

Do I owe a yearly fee after I get coverage?

Yes. An annual fee equal to the new permit fee begins one year after issuance, so budget for it to keep coverage active.

Do I pay a fee to renew my coverage?

No. Renewal carries no fee under the 2025 schedule, but you must renew on time to keep discharging lawfully.