Business Permits
Pre-construction permits
Businesses (commercial businesses, industries, public utilities and institutions) are required to secure ORCAA's approval through a Notice of Construction (NOC) permit application prior to any of the following actions
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Constructing or establishing a new stationary source of air pollution;
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Modifying or replacing any existing stationary source of air pollution; and,
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Replacing or substantially modifying any air pollution control device.
A Stationary Source is any stationary process, building, structure, facility, or installation that emits or may emit any contaminant. This term does not include emissions resulting directly from internal combustion engines used for transportation purposes or from "nonroad engines" or "nonroad vehicles" as defined in Section 216 of the FCAA. A Modification is any physical change in, or change in the method of operation of, a stationary source that increases the amount of any air contaminant emitted or that results in the emission of any air contaminant not previously emitted.
Pre-construction permits are a requirement of the State Clean Air Act and is administered through Rule 6.1 of ORCAA's regulations. The approval process is initiated by submittal of a NOC application and payment of the appropriate application filing fee. The approval process generally takes between 15 days to 60 days depending on the complexity and size of the proposed project and whether a public hearing is required. Application instructions and forms are available by calling ORCAA or may be downloaded (FORMS).
If you are not sure whether your planned project requires ORCAA's approval through a NOC, please call ORCAA's engineering department at (360) 586-1044 ext 108 or send an email describing your planned project.
Relocation of Portable and Temporary Sources
Businesses (commercial businesses, industries, public utilities and institutions) may relocate a portable or temporary stationary source (examples) within ORCAA's jurisdiction, provided that:
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ORCAA, or another local air pollution control agency in Washington has already approved the portable or temporary stationary source through a NOC or similar new source review and approval process, and has established Best Available Control Technology for the source.
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A Notice of Intent (NOI) application is filed with ORCAA at least 15-days prior to relocating the portable or temporary stationary source (FORMS).
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Any conditions of approval established by ORCAA are met.
Annual Registration
Businesses within ORCAA's jurisdiction which emit air pollution must be registered with the agency. The primary purposes are to verify and maintain a current and accurate record of air contaminants and their sources and to verify that businesses are fulfilling air pollution control requirements. The registration information also allows ORCAA to determine the effectiveness of air pollution control strategies.
Following are some important details about registering a business:
All stationary (not mobile) sources of air pollution whichthat utilize equipment or processes requiring an agency permit must register annually with ORCAA. Sources and equipment types whichthat are exempt from registration requirements are specified in ORCAA Regulations, Rule 4.1. Examples of businesses needing to register include crematoriums, incinerators, chemical testing laboratories, small and large spray-coating facilities (auto body shops, cabinet and woodworking shops, fiberglass product manufacturers), rock crushers, hot mix asphalt plants, log yards, lumber mills and plywood plants, companies using boilers and other equipment that combust fuels, gas stations, dry cleaners, sewage treatment plants, and landfills.
There is an annual fee for maintaining the registration of a business. The amount of annual registration fees are specified in ORCAA Regulations, Rule 3.1. The amount of fees collected can only provide revenue to fund the agency's ongoing registration program. Businesses are required to provide, at the agency's request, information as needed about the source's location, size, kinds of processes and air contaminant emissions, and other information relevant to air pollution. For additional information on registering a business, call ORCAA at Ext. 101 or send email HERE.