Permit Information
As part of the Air District’s responsibility to meet state and
federal clean air standards, the APCD adopts rules and issues
permits that require compliance with these standards. Permits allow
the District to specify operating conditions consistent with our
countywide clean air strategy. Some of the businesses required to
hold permits are power plants, marine terminals, refineries, oil
fields, gas stations, dry cleaners, auto body shops, printers, rock
crushers, and those with large and medium size boilers.
Permits provide information on the type and amount of air
pollution caused by business operations. Both large and small
businesses need an APCD permit before they construct, change,
replace, or operate any equipment or process that could cause air
pollution. This includes equipment designed to reduce air pollution.
Permits are also required if an existing business transfers
ownership, relocates, or otherwise changes their operation.
In addition to APCD permits, there are also several other local,
state, regional, and federal permit, licensing, and tax requirements
that you may need to be aware of for your business. Click on the
icon below to search the CalGOLD database:
The permit application begins with an evaluation of the project’s
ability to comply with APCD’s Rules and Regulations. A
completed permit application must be submitted to the APCD along
with a description of the business operation and the equipment /
materials to be used. By gathering general information from local
businesses, the District analyzes the proposed operations and
determines the air quality impact to ensure consistency with local,
state, and federal air pollution control requirements.
Once preliminary permit evaluation is complete, APCD staff issues
an Authority to Construct (ATC) permit that allows construction of a
new facility, and installation or modification of equipment at an
existing facility. The ATC ensures that the equipment is designed,
constructed, and operated to meet air quality requirements and
describes how the equipment must be operated to minimize air
pollution. The ATC is required before construction begins, so
businesses should submit the application well in advance of the
planned start date.
Click here for a listing of all Permit
to Operate and Authority to Construct
forms.
After construction, installation, or modifications, the startup
process allows businesses to test, calibrate, and demonstrate
compliance with permit conditions included in the ATC. Following a
successful startup inspection, a Permit to Operate (PTO) is issued
to allow the continued operation of the business in accordance with
all permit conditions and local, state, and federal air pollution
requirements. The PTO is reevaluated and updated as necessary to
ensure compliance and to reflect any changes in local, state, or
federal requirements.
Permit fees cover our cost to review applications, issue permits,
and ensure compliance. Different fees apply to different types of
permits and equipment. Most fees are based on either the hourly
billing rate or the permit renewal factor, both of which may be
adjusted for inflation annually. For example, while these
amounts are no longer current, the billing rate for direct
staff time was set at $63.10 per hour and the
permit renewal factor was set at $56.08 per renewal fee
unit in July 2004. The different fee types are described below:
- Application Filing Fee: This is a flat fee which
covers the initial review of your ATC or PTO application to
determine if all required information has been provided.
- Evaluation Fee: This fee is based on the time and
resources expended to evaluate your ATC or PTO application to
determine if your project meets all local, state, and federal
requirements. For first-time PTOs, an initial permit fee
equivalent to the periodic renewal fee is also charged. That
initial fee may be waived for qualifying small businesses (ask
for an Initial Operating Fee Waiver form).
- Renewal Fee: For most businesses, your permit is
renewed every year and updated as needed. A renewal fee is
charged based on the number and type of equipment. This fee
covers the permit review and annual inspections. Renewal fee schedules
are found in Rule 302.
- Penalty Fee: Should you install equipment without
contacting the APCD and are later found to be without the
required PTO, a penalty fee may be assessed.
For more information on permits, call (805) 781-5912 and ask for
the Engineering Division or contact us via email: info sloclenair.com.
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