DEQ Animal Waste Program
Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs) and Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs)
Animal Feeding Operations
An animal feeding operation (AFO) is defined as a lot or facility where animals are stabled or confined for a total of 45 days or more in any 12-month period, and where crops or vegetative growth is not maintained in the normal growing season over the lot or facility.
The DEQ animal waste program is regulated under both the Virginia Pollution Abatement Permit Regulation (VPA) Program and the Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination Permit Regulation (VPDES) Program. A decision tree for the VPA and VPDES permits can assist a farm owner or operator with which permit coverage is required for his/her animal feeding operation.
Animal feeding operations that confine more than 300 animal units of livestock and handle liquid manure are required to obtain coverage under either a Virginia Pollution Abatement (VPA) general or individual permit. These facilities may apply for coverage by submitting the registration statement for the Virginia Pollution Abatement General Permit for Animal Feeding Operations (see Livestock AFOs Forms below).
Poultry operations that confine more than 20,000 chickens or 11,000 turkeys must register for coverage under the Virginia Pollution Abatement General Permit for Poultry Waste Management (see Poultry AFOs below).
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) may be required to register for coverage under a Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) individual permit (see CAFOs below).
In addition, a site specific nutrient management plan must be developed by a Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) certified nutrient management planner in accordance with § 10.1-104.2 of the Code of Virginia and approved by the DCR.
Poultry AFOs (Chickens, Turkeys)
Poultry Feeding Operations
- General Permit Information
- Virginia Pollution Abatement (VPA) General Permit Regulation for Poultry Waste Management
- Permit Decision Tree
- Permit Application and Instructions
- Application for coverage under the VPA General Permit for Poultry Waste Management
- Did you know that if you plan to sell or have recently purchased a permitted operation you must notify the DEQ regional office of the ownership change? Please contact your regional office to obtain a copy of a Change of Ownership Agreement Form.
- Forms
- Poultry Litter Storage and Utilization Fact Sheet
- Recordkeeping: End-User Recordkeeping Forms
- Recordkeeping: Poultry Waste Transfer Form
- Recordkeeping: Poultry Waste Broker - Source Form
- Registration Form: Broker Registration Form
- Land Application: Custom Applicator Agreement Form
- Guidance
- Biosecurity for Poultry Farm Visits
- Related Links
- Poultry Litter Marketing Hotline
- VA Cooperative Extension
- Composting Poultry Mortality
- Avian Flu Information
- The Virginia Poultry Litter Transport Incentive Program
- VA NRCS Poultry Litter Transport Program (EQIP)
- Virginia Poultry Litter Reconditioning Study
Livestock AFOs (Dairy Cattle, Beef Cattle, Swine)
Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs)
- General Permit Information
- Virginia Pollution Abatement (VPA) General Permit Regulation for Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs)
- Eligibility and Issuance of the VPA General Permit for AFOs
- Permit Decision Tree
- Permit Application and Instructions
- Application for coverage under the VPA General Permit Registration Statement for Animal Feeding Operations
- Instructions for VPA General Permit Application for AFOs
- Did you know that if you plan to sell or have recently purchased a permitted operation you must notify the DEQ regional office of the ownership change? Please contact your regional office to obtain a copy of a Change of Ownership Agreement Form.
- Forms
- Land Application: Custom Applicator Agreement Form
- Related Links
- VA Cooperative Extension
- On-Farm Composting
- Composting Swine Mortality
- DEQ On-Farm Livestock Mortality Disposal Guidance: Composting, Burial
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) (Dairy Cattle, Beef Cattle, Swine, Chickens, Turkeys)
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs)
Permit Information
- Duty to Apply in Lieu of U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals Decision
- Memorandum concerning Large CAFOs
- Permit Decision Tree
Permit Application and Instructions
- Application and instructions for the VPDES Individual Permit for CAFOs: EPA Form 1 and EPA Form 2B
- Did you know that if you plan to sell or have recently purchased a permitted operation you must notify the DEQ regional office of the ownership change? Please contact your regional office to obtain a copy of a Change of Ownership Agreement Form.
- Forms
- Check back for updates
Guidance
Check back for updates
Related Links
For additional information see DEQ's Agricultural web page.