Air Quality Permit FAQ's

     Equipment specific Guidelines have been developed to provide more detailed information on permitting, for some common types of equipment.
 

If you have questions about how to complete the application you may contact the District's Small Business Assistance Program Coordinator at (858) 586-2656 or the District's Engineering Section at (858) 586-2716, for assistance.

What forms must I complete and submit to the District?

• Under the -General Application- section of the Permit-Applications page General-116, is the District's Permit-Application-Form: APP-116, in MS-WORD and PDF formats; which must be submitted with the applicable supplemental application forms.
  Review the available Supplemental Application Forms: 01A through 59C; listed here, on the Forms-List, and then select the correct one for your equipment type.
• The General Checklist page, lists all available permitting-Forms, and was designed to assist you in preparing and submitting a more customized and complete application package.
  
• All Permits and Registration Forms are available in PDF and MS-WORD formats. Forms, that are in MS-WORD documents format, can be filled out interactively, which can then be saved and printed, while the forms in PDF must be printed and then manually filled out.
• Any pertinent additional information, such as: detailed process descriptions, blueprints, site plans, manufacturer's brochures, emissions calculation, material safety data sheets (MSDS) best available control technology (BACT), analysis and equipment certification documentation; which you feel can help support your case, should be included and submitted with your application.

•  Fees for this permit include:
  1) an Evaluation Fee,
  2) a Processing Fee,
  3) an Air Contaminant Emissions Fee. (Some cases only)
  
  Processing Fee - a $95 non-refundable processing fee must be submitted with all applications for an Authority to Construct/Permit to Operate.
  Evaluation Fee – District Rule 40 contains detailed information on all the District’s fees.
  Fees vary by equipment type and are organized by fee schedule. If a T+M (time plus materials) or a T+RN (time plus renewal) fee is indicated, contact the District at one of the phone numbers listed below for a cost estimate.
  If you have a new (not previously permitted by the District) piece of equipment, you must submit an Initial Evaluation Fee that is shown in Column 1 of the fee schedule.
  If you are modifying a previously permitted piece of equipment, your Evaluation Fee is equal to the fee shown in Column 1 (Initial Evaluation Fee) minus the fees shown in Column 2 (Emission Unit Renewal Fee). 
  
  Air Contaminant Emission Fees – If you do not currently have at least one valid district permit you are also required to submit an Air Contaminant Emission Fee, as specified in Rule 40-Sectn.(d)-Part IV.
  

• Fees can be paid by: check (payable to "Air Pollution Control District"), or, Credit Card (Discover or American Express). 

If you choose to email or fax your application, and, intend on paying with a Discover or American Express Card, you must provide Contact Information (name and phone number), so that the District can complete payment.

If requested, the District will provide a hard copy receipt for payment.
Application will not be accepted without full payment of fees.

        
Rule 18 specifies a timeline for actions that the District must take in processing applications.  The District is required to act on complete applications within 180 days.
·Typically permits are issued in about 60 days. More complex processes will take longer and simpler ones may take less time.
·One thing you can do to ensure quick processing of your permit is to submit as complete an application as possible.

The District has a procedure to ensure that all trades secret information is protected.  The procedure is explained in District Rules 176 and 177. All information claimed to be trade secret must be clearly identified to allow the District to separate it from non-trade secret information.
To identify the information you may use a highlighter or you may physically separate (remove) all trades secret information from the rest of the application submittal. 

Written justification is required for all trade secret information. (District Rule 176)

HOW DO I GET HELP APPLYING FOR A PERMIT?

If you have questions about how to complete the application you may contact the District Small Business Assistance Program Coordinator at (858) 586-2656 or the District Engineering Section at (858) 586-2716 for assistance.