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DEQ.utah.gov -Utah Department of Environmental Quality

The Official Web site of the Utah Department of Environmental Quality

Air Quality Permits

Air quality construction permits are usually needed by companies planning to build new facilities or modify existing ones. The federal Clean Air Act also requires some industrial sources to apply for state operating permits and pay annual emissions fees.

Businesses generating small amounts of pollution may be eligible for a small source exemption. Amounts exempted vary but range between 500 pounds and five tons per year.

Process Overview

Contact the New Source Review or Small Business Assistance to see if a permit is needed. Forms are available online.

Steps for obtaining a permit to construct or "Approval Order":

  1. You will need to submit a "Notice of Intent" (NOI) to construct along with a filing fee. The amount of the filing fee varies depending on the scope of your project; contact the New Source Review or Small Business Assistance (or refer to the NOI Guide) to determine the amount that must be submitted with your NOI.
  2. An engineer will evaluate your request for compliance with federal and state air quality rules. Your company will be expected to pollute as little as possible while still remaining cost effective.
  3. Next, an approval order is drafted describing emission limits, production rates, fuel consumption, allowable opacity, facility location, and other general conditions. An engineering manager reviews the order, and the applicant is contacted to discuss permit conditions.
  4. The approval order is published in the local newspaper closest to the proposed site. An "intent to approve" letter and a bill for processing and any remaining application fees are sent to the applicant (see Fees below). Comments are collected, evaluated, and if necessary, changes are made in permit condition.

Larger sources and those subject to federal standards must meet the Operating Permit Program requirments. Contact the Operating Permits Section for additional information.

Note: Approval orders do not expire. Operating permits are reviewed and re-issued every five years.

Fees

Approval orders range from $250 to more than $31,500 and are based upon size, type, and complexity of the facility. Filing fees for NOIs range from $100 for a simple name change to $5,000 for a large project. Operating permits are assessed annual fees, based upon yearly emissions.

Time Required

Approval Orders - 45 to 100 days; Operating Permits - 18 months

Contact

New Source Review Section for permits to new or expanding facilities

Operating Permits Section for existing major sources of air pollution

Small Business Assistance Program for technical assistance and training

Small Business Ombudsman for a liaison between DAQ and the business community

DEQ Division of Air Quality
150 North 1950 West
PO Box 14420
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4820
Telephone: (801) 536-4000
Fax: (801) 536-4099
Ombudsman: (801) 536-4478

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