The DEQ animal waste program is regulated under both the Virginia Pollution Abatement (VPA) Permit Regulation (9VAC25-32) and the Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) Permit Regulation (9VAC25-31).

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.

AFOs that confine 300 or more animal units of livestock and handle liquid manure are required to obtain coverage under either a VPA general or individual permit. These facilities may apply for coverage by submitting the registration statement for the VPA General Permit for Animal Feeding Operations (see Livestock AFOs section for additional information).

The VPA Regulation and General Permit for AFOs and Animal Waste Management governs the management of animal waste at AFOs and animal waste utilized or stored by animal waste end-users.

Poultry operations that confine 200 or more animal units of poultry (i.e.; 20,000 chickens and11,000 turkeys) must register for coverage under the VPA General Permit for Poultry Waste Management (see Poultry AFOs section for additional information).

The VPA Regulation and General Permit for Poultry Waste Management governs the management of poultry waste at confined poultry feeding operations and poultry waste utilized or stored by poultry waste end-users or poultry waste brokers.

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) may be required to obtain a VPDES individual permit (see CAFOs section for additional information).

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.

Small Animal Feeding Operations Evaluation and Assessment Strategy: DEQ and VDACS have collaborated on the development of this strategy by which small AFOs are evaluated for site-specific risks or impacts to water quality. AFOs classified as “small” are operations that fall below the animal numbers that require a VPA permit. It is the agencies’ intention to be flexible when addressing these concerns. This strategy complements the regulatory Animal Waste Program of DEQ and the complaint-based Agriculture Stewardship Act Program of VDACS.