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Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) General Permit: Obtaining Coverage for an Existing CAFO

If you have an existing facility previously authorized under the CAFO general permit (TXG920000) or an individual permit, you may qualify for coverage under this general permit.

TCEQ reissued the CAFO General Permit No. TXG920000 (GP), with an effective date of July 20, 2024.

The following steps will help you determine if an existing CAFO qualifies and how to apply for coverage (under the reissued GP), request a change of ownership, or terminate coverage under this GP.

Step 1.

Read the GP ( TXG920000) and determine if you qualify for coverage.

  • If the general permit does not apply, you might need to obtain an individual permit.
  • If the general permit does apply, continue with Step 2.

Step 2.

Review your facility's compliance history ranking:

  • If your facility has a ranking of “high performer,” “satisfactory performer,” or "inadequate information," continue to Step 3.
  • If the compliance history ranking is "unsatisfactory performer," then your facility is not eligible for coverage under a general permit. You must apply for an 
  • individual permit instead.

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Step 3.

Renewal

The CAFO General Permit No. TXG920000 (GP) is renewed once in five years. Upon renewal, all active authorizations must submit a renewal application to continue coverage under the GP.

The current GP was issued and effective on July 20, 2024. Permittees that wish to continue to be authorized must submit a renewal application between July 20, 2024, and January 16, 2025 (180 days renewal period). Failure to submit the application package by the deadline will result in expiration of the existing authorization to operate under the expired general permit.

To renew your coverage under an existing CAFO General Permit, follow these steps:

  1. Update the onsite Pollution Prevention Plan. See Part III of the GP.
  2. Submit an application package, which includes:

Change of Ownership or Operational Control (Notice of Termination and Notice of Intent)

Authorization under this general permit is not transferable.

PREVIOUS OWNER? Submit to TCEQ: a  Notice of Termination (NOT) through the online e-permitting system or using the paper application form  TCEQ-20343.

NEW OWNER? Submit an application package to TCEQ via mail:

If the NOT and NOI are submitted as required, there will be no lapse in authorization for the facility.

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Step 4.

If you qualify for coverage under this general permit but would rather have an individual permit, you may request coverage under that permit instead.

If the NOI is submitted electronically, provisional authorization to discharge under this general permit begins immediately following confirmation of receipt of the NOI by TCEQ. If the application is submitted on the paper application form, provisional authorization to discharge beings 48 hours after your completed NOI is postmarked for delivery to us.

We will review the NOI and will take one of the following actions:

  • If everything is acceptable, we will send you an acknowledgment letter to authorize your coverage and assign an authorization number.
  • If any information is incomplete or missing, we will send you a letter requesting the necessary information. You will have 30 days (about a month) to respond to this request.
  • If coverage has been denied, we will send you a denial letter.

You must keep a copy of the NOI and the acknowledgement certificate onsite.

Remember: Permit coverage will remain active until you request termination. You must submit a  Notice of Termination to TCEQ to cancel your permit. If your coverage is active September 1 of any given year, you will owe a water quality fee for that year.

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If you have questions, please see our Contact Page or e-mail us at CAFO@tceq.texas.gov.

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