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Permits

Industrial facility with large smoke plumes against a forested hillside.

Any device or contrivance that may be a source of air contaminants, or is intended to control or mitigate those air contaminants, has the potential to require a Permit to Operate from the Air District. A Permit to Operate is based on the Air District Rules 401 and Rule 501, and and Health & Safety Code: Section 42300).

Here is a partial list of some of the most commonly permitted facilities/projects and where to find the required permits for them. If your facility, project, or equipment is not on this list, please call the Air District to verify whether or not you will need an Air Pollution Permit to Operate.

Company/Facility Update Request Form 

Please complete when the facility’s contact information has changed to ensure the correct person is notified for any future permit or program updates. No fee is required for updates but please allow a few days from the District to make any changes. 

Stationary Sources & Stationary Engine -Facility Contact Update FromGas Dispense Facility - Facility Contact Update Form

 Air District General Permits

Internal Combustion Engines 

If you plan to install or operate any kind of diesel fired stationary or portable engine greater than 50 horsepower within the 3 counties of this Air District, then you will need to obtain an Air Pollution permit.  If you plan to install or operate any kind of stationary or portable engine that does NOT use diesel, then PLEASE call the Air District and speak with one of our permitting specialists. Visit our Forms page to download the forms: (1) Instructions for Permit Applications, (2) Permit Application Form, and (3) Internal Combustion Engine Supplemental Form. 

Visit the California Air Resources Board web site to view the text of the Airborne Toxic Control Measure (ATCM) for Stationary Compression Ignition Engines

Emergency Generator Reference: A quick and simple PDF that summarizes generator district regulation. 

Northern Sierra Emergency Generator Handout
Gas Station 

If you plan to build a gasoline station,  alter the vapor recovery equipment, or alter or upgrade the dispensing or storage equipment in any way, then you probably need to first submit an Authority to Construct form. Visit our Vapor Recovery page for additional infomation and to download the Authority to Construct form in the Forms page.  

Open Outdoor Burning 

For questions regarding Air Pollution permits for the purposes of residential or non-residential open burning, please visit our Open Outdoor Burning page.

Portable Equipment Permitting 

Please reference our Portable Equipment Permitting page for a more indepth information. 

Soil Aeration / Remediation / Vapor Extraction Projects 

If you plan to engage in any kind of soil cleanup where there is any potential for contaminants to be emitted into the air, however minute they may be, then you will probably need an Air Pollution permit. Visit our Forms page to download the form: Soil Vapor Extraction. 

Stationary Sources and Miscellaneous 

If you plan to install or operate any kind of stationary source or device that emits any air pollutants whatsoever within the 3 counties of this Air District, then you will probably need to obtain an Air Pollution permit. Visit our Forms page to download the forms: (1) Permit Application and (2) Instructions for Permit Applications. 

Special Requirements: 

 Asphalt Batch Plants

Asphalt Batch Plant Permit Requirements

 Sand & Gravel Crushing / Screening Plants

Sand & Gravel Permit Requirements

 

 

Vapor Recovery 

With only a few exceptions, the Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District requires all gasoline dispensing facilities, both retail and non-retail, to be equipped with a Phase I and Phase II vapor recovery system. Please review our Vapor Recovery page. 

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