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Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District
1947 Galileo Ct., Suite 103
Davis, CA 95618
(530) 757-3650 or
(800) 287-3650
FAX (530) 757-3670
Ag Burn Line
(800) 246-3660 or
(530) 757-3660
The Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District is dedicated to
protecting human health and property from the harmful effects of air pollution.
webmaster@ysaqmd.org
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How does the permit process work?
The District grants two permits: the first, before construction begins, is the Authority to Construct (ATC). After construction and a demonstration of compliance, the Permit to Operate (PTO) is issued.
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Authority to Construct, ATC
The ATC is the first permit issued. The ATC must be applied for and obtained before construction begins to ensure that all District rules and regulations have been considered. This permit allows changes to occur during the planning stage, should it be necessary to alter the design to comply with the District's rules. A District engineer performs an emission evaluation based on the information supplied in the permit application and any other equipment or process information made available. Applicants must demonstrate that they can operate in compliance with the District rules and regulations. When the District engineer is satisfied that the project will comply, an ATC is issued. Once the ATC is issued, the facility may install the equipment and operate it for testing and tuning only. The ATC does not authorize operation in production mode for any reason.
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Inspection & Temporary Operation
Within 48 hours of completing construction, installation, or modification, the facility signs and returns the Permit Notification Card. This card acts as the PTO application, serves as the indicator that the equipment has been built in accordance with the ATC, indicates that the facility is in compliance with all applicable conditions, and lets the District know that the facility is ready for an initial inspection. The District staff will then schedule an inspection of the facility to ensure proper installation of all equipment. A temporary operating period of up to 45 days is allowed for testing, calibration, and demonstration of compliance with conditions of the ATC.
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Permits to Operate
After construction is completed, the source is inspected, and District staff is satisfied that the operating facility complies with all applicable requirements, a PTO will be issued. The PTO contains the parameters (conditions) that the facility must comply with. This permit must be renewed annually and may be reviewed and modified by the District as needed for new regulations.
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How do I apply for an air quality permit?
Contact the District to receive an ATC application package. Applicants must then submit:
- A completed permit application form and an application fee;
- A completed supplemental form (for common equipment types, if applicable);
- Detailed information on the operation process and the materials used; and
- A detailed facility plot plan showing the location of the proposed equipment relative to the facility.
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What about fees?
Permit fees are charged to cover the District's cost for reviewing applications, issuing permits and ensuring compliance. Different fees apply to different types of permits and equipment. These fees are described below.
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Application and Initial Permit Fee:
This fee is based on the number and type of equipment proposed, and covers the technical processing of the ATC application and the first year of operation. For complex projects the fees may be increased to cover the actual time spent evaluating the application and issuing the permit.
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Permit Renewal Fee:
For most businesses, permits are reviewed every year and updated as necessary. A renewal fee is charged based on the number and type of equipment plus the total permitted emissions. This fee covers the permit review, annual inspections, and general stationary source program costs such as rule development and emissions inventory.
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Throughput forms
For every PTO, facilities are required to submit an annual throughput form that identifies the level of production for that permitted process. The District mails out forms every January and the forms are due back March 31. The District uses this information to quantify actual emissions from each of the permitted sources and uses this information in developing the emissions inventory that is reported to the California Air Resources Board (ARB) by the District.
Applicants who don't submit the requested information or pay the annual renewal fee will have their Permits to Operate revoked. Operating without a permit is a violation of District rules and state law, and involves serious penalties.
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