Air Pollution Control Permits Overview

Facilities of any size with equipment that could emit air pollutants need permits. Some of the affected businesses include:

• Dry cleaners
• Gas stations
• Facilities that use solvents or paints
• Facilities that use gas- or oil-fired equipment with a capacity of 1 million Btu/hour or higher or internal combustion engines of 50 horsepower or higher
• Bulk petroleum operations
• Oil production facilities
• Power plants
• Sand, gravel and cement operations

For more detailed information, review the list of common equipment and processes that require permits and Rule 23 — Exemptions From Permit. 

In most cases, portable engines enrolled in the California Air Resources Board Portable Equipment Registration Program (PERP) do not require district permits.

• Before installing new equipment
• Before implementing new processes
• Before modifying existing equipment
• When ownership of a facility changes
• When equipment is moved to a new address
• When an operation method is changed
• When a facility operator wants to modify permit conditions, including limits on fuel or material use

Download an Occupancy Permit Review Questionnaire (AB3205 form), complete it and email it to notifications@vcapcd.org. An AB3205 form signed by a district staff member may be required to obtain city or county building permits or comply with asbestos regulations for renovation or demolition operations. You can also send an email regarding permit exemption questions to engineering@vcapcd.org.

• Authority to Construct
  • It must be issued before construction, installation or modification begins to allow for district review of applicable rules before an emissions unit is installed.
  • It requires that a district engineer evaluate information in the application for compliance with local, state and federal rules.
    • This evaluation includes the district’s New Source Review requirements for Best Available Control Technology (BACT) and offsets, which are detailed in Rule 26.2. BACT is required for any emission increase of reactive organic compounds (ROC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM10) or sulfur oxides (SOx). If offset thresholds are exceeded, emission increases must be offset with Emission Reduction Credits.
  • It is not required for small sources as defined in Rule 11.

• Permit to Operate
  • Medium and large sources apply for this permit after construction authorized by an Authority to Construct is complete but before operation begins. Small sources apply directly for a Permit to Operate.
  • It requires that district personnel inspect the facility to verify that the equipment performs as designed in compliance with district rules and regulations. The district may issue a temporary Permit to Operate to allow for emission testing or inspection while the facility is operating.
  • Stack testing by an independent contractor employed by the applicant may be required to demonstrate compliance. The California Air Resources Board maintains a list of approved contractors.
  • It lists all emitting units at the facility.
  • It specifies allowed, or permitted, emissions
  • It details specific operating conditions to comply with district, state and federal rules.
  • It includes annual limits on fuel and material use depending on the type of emissions unit.

Classification is based on the type and location of equipment, amount of pollutants emitted and special requirements, such as air toxics reviews. See definitions in Rule 11.

1. Call 805-303-3688 to discuss the project if you have questions about requirements or the permit application process.
2. Download the appropriate forms.
3. Submit the following to the district by email at engineering@vcapcd.org or in person at or by mail to Ventura County Air Pollution Control District, 4567 Telephone Road Second Floor, Ventura, CA 93003:
   • Cover letter containing a business description and details on the proposed equipment and processes
   • Completed and signed application form
   • Supplementary forms for specific equipment or processes, as needed
   • Equipment specification sheets and block flow diagrams of the processes
   • Street map showing the facility location
   • Sketch or map showing land uses adjacent to the facility
   • Sketches of the facility layout and floor plan showing the location of the equipment and processes
   • $450 application filing fee paid by check or online with receipt sent to engineering@vcapcd.org

Processing time ranges from 30 to 180 days depending on the complexity of the application. Within 30 days of submission, you will be notified that the application is complete or additional information is needed.

• Application filing fee for each Authority to Construct and Permit to Operate
• Application processing fee based on the amount of time required to process each Authority to Construct and Permit to Operate Without Authority to Construct
• Permit to Operate fee charged upon approval to cover first-year annual operating fees and, if required, the cost of witnessing or approving a source test
• Annual renewal fee billed for each subsequent year based on the permitted emissions
  o If the invoice is not paid within 60 days of being sent, the permit will be voided. A permit is reinstated upon payment of renewal fee and incremental late fees.

For fee amounts, see Rule 42 and the Permit Fee Schedule.

Pursuant to Rule 42.H, all permits must be renewed annually. A permit is valid until the expiration date on it or 60 days after the renewal fee notice is mailed, whichever is later. Each year, district staff review emission data and modify permit conditions as needed. Equipment that has been permanently removed is removed from the permit. If changes to permitted equipment or emissions are made, a draft permit is sent to the holder for review along with the renewal fee invoice. Renewal requires fee payment.

Facilities with federal Title V Operating Permits are subject to a five-year permit period and a Reissuance application requirement but still must pay annual renewal fees to the district.

It is subject to legal action and penalties of up to $100,000 or more per day and/or one year in jail.

For additional details on the district’s permit rules, review Regulation II.

If you have questions, contact the Engineering Division at 805-303-3688 or engineering@vcapcd.org or the appropriate staff member below:

John Harader, Supervising Air Quality Engineer, 805-303-3682
Samantha Freitag, Air Quality Engineer, 805-303-3685
Chris Harlin, Permit Processing Specialist, 805-303-3683
Laura Kranzler, Air Quality Engineer, 805-303-3684
Arleen Ruiz, Air Quality Technician, 805-303-3686