All Permits - (A-Z)

• 401 Water Quality Certification

  Applying for a federal permit or license to conduct any activity that might result in a discharge of dredge or fill material into water or non-isolated wetlands or excavation in water or non-isolated wetlands.

• Air Operating Permit

  Releasing contaminants to the air from any new or existing major source of air contaminants.

• Air Quality Notice of Construction (NOC) Permit

  Releasing contaminants to the air from a new or modified source, unless the source has been exempted.

• Aquaculture Registration and Transfer Permit

  Culturing or transferring food fish, shellfish, and certain aquatic animals.

• Aquatic Farm Registration and Permit to Transport Fin Fish

  Culturing or transferring food fish, shellfish, and certain aquatic animals.

• Aquatic Use Authorization (Aquatic Lease)

  Most activities taking place on state-owned aquatic lands may require a lease or other form of use authorization (easement or right-of-way). Before you start your project, contact the DNR regional office near you to discuss your proposal.

• Archaeological Excavation Permit

  Excavating, altering, defacing, or removing archaeological objects or resources or Native Indian graves, cairns or glyptic records.

• Asbestos - Air Quality (Demolition / Renovation Notification Form)

  You must submit an asbestos demolition/renovation notification form any time you:

  1. Want to demolish any structure
  2. Renovate an existing structure with at least 260 linear feet of Regulated Asbestos Containing Material (RACM) on pipes, 160 square feet of RACM on other facility components, or 35 cubic feet of RACM off of facility components where length or area could not be measured previously, or
  3. Demolish a structure for fire training purposes.
  This form must be filled out if it meets the above criteria and meets the definition of a facility. Facility means any institutional, commercial, public, industrial, or residential structure, installation, or building (including any structure, installation, or building containing condominiums or individual dwelling units operated as a residential cooperative, but excluding residential buildings having four or fewer dwelling units); any ship; and any active or inactive waste disposal site. Any structure, installation or building that was previously subject to this subpart is not excluded, regardless of its current use or function. Before beginning any work on the facility, you must:
  1. fill out the form
  2. have the owner/operator of the facility sign it
  3. mail it to the appropriate air quality agency.
  Guidance is available on the EPA Region 10 asbestos web page and at the other links listed below.
• Baled Agricultural Residue Interim Spot Burn Permit

  Baled agricultural residue that may be permitted for burning include broken, mildewed, diseased or otherwise pest ridden bales.

• Biosolids Management Permit (General Permit for Biosolids Management)

  This permit covers land application of biosolids and other related processes and aspects of operations related to biosolids.

• Bridge Permit (Section 9 Permit)

  Construction or modification of bridges over certain navigable waters.

• Building Permit

  Construction of permanent buildings or additions to existing facilities.

• Burn Permit - Agricultural (Agricultural Burning)

  Burning of vegetative agricultural wastes.

• Burn Permit - Fire Training

  Burning a structure for a fire training exercise.

• Burn Permit - Land Clearing

  Burning land clearing debris. NOTE: Land clearing burning is not allowed inside of urban growth areas (UGAs), within city limits of cities with a population of 10,000 or more, or within an area having a general population density of 1,000 or more persons per square mile.

• Burn Permit - Silvicultural (Silvicultural Burning)

  Burning vegetation on forest land; starting recreational fires.

• Burn Permit - Special

  This permit is for situations where burning does not fit into the categories of agricultural, residential, or land clearing.

• Burn Permit - Spot Burn Permit

  Burning in areas that are 1/2 acre or less in size, such as:

  • Small weed patches
  • Spots of heavy residue
  • Equipment plugs and dumps
• Certification of Inspectors of Solid Waste Incinerators and Landfill Facilities

  Working for a public agency as a solid waste incinerator or landfill facility inspector.

• Certification of Operators of Solid Waste Incinerators and Landfill Facilities

  Working as the operator in charge of a solid waste incinerator or landfill facility.

• Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Certification

  Federal activity, projects requiring a federal license or permit and Federal Assistance Programs proposed within any of Washington's 15 coastal counties. (see notes)

• Commercial Applicator License

  Engaging in the business of applying pesticides to another person's land.

• Commercial Operator License

  Applying pesticides to the land of another as an employee of a Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA)-licensed Commercial Applicator.

• Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation General Permit (CAFO)(Animal Feeding Operations NPDES and Statewide Discharge Permits)

  Conducting a concentrated animal feeding operation that discharges or proposes to discharge to State or Federal Waters (either surface or ground).

• Dam Construction Permit

  Constructing, modifying, or repairing any dam or controlling works for storage of 10 or more acre-feet of water, waste, or mine tailings.

• Dangerous Waste Treatment Storage and Disposal Facility - Modification (Modification Class Determination)

  Any modification or change to your existing Dangerous Waste Permit. Examples are:

  • a change in facility ownership
  • facility expansion
  • a change in procedures or process.
• Dangerous Waste Treatment Storage Disposal Facility - New Permit

  The storing, treating and/or disposing of dangerous wastes in certain types of facilities.

• Dangerous Waste Treatment Storage Disposal Facility - Permit Renewal

  The storing, treating and/or disposing of dangerous wastes in certain types of facilities.

• Discharge of Dredge or Fill Material Into Water (Section 404 Permit)

  If you plan to discharge dredged or fill material into the waters of the United States, including special aquatic sites such as wetlands, you must get a Section 404 permit. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) can authorize activities by a standard individual permit, nationwide permit, or regional permit. The Corps will make the determination on what type of permit is needed. If you have general questions on the permitting process, you should contact your county's Corps Project manager. The Corps recommends a pre-application meeting for major projects. This meeting is between you, Corps district staff, interested resource agencies, and the interested public. If you would like to set up a pre-application meeting, you should contact your county's Corps Project manager.

• Drinking Water Operating Permit

  Operating a public water system that has 15 or more services or serves more than 25 people a day for more than sixty days a year.

• Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) License

  See Permit Description for details.

• Fish Habitat Enhancement Projects

  The applicant must meet the specified requirements stated on the permit application form.

• Floodplain Development Permit

  Any development (see definition below) within the 100 year floodplain. Development is defined as: any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations or storage of equipment or materials located within the area of special flood hazard.

• Forest Practices Permit

  Forest Practices that may require a permit include: harvesting timber, salvaging standing and down wood, constructing forest roads, opening or expanding a rock pit on forest land for forestry use, installing and replacing water crossings on forest roads, and applying forest chemicals with an aircraft.

• General Order for Small Boilers Using Natural Gas, Propane, or Diesel Fuel

  Operating a small boiler using natural gas, propane, or diesel fuel that meets the approval conditions of this General Order as determineed by Ecology may apply for the permit.

• General Order of Approval for Auto Body Shops

  Operating an Auto Body Shop that meets the approval conditions of this General Order as determined by Ecology may apply for the permit.

• General Order of Approval for Concrete Batch Plants

  Operating a concrete batch plant that meets the approval conditions of this General Order as determined by Ecology may apply for the permit.

• General Order of Approval for Diesel-Powered Emergency Electrical Generators

  Operating a diesel-powered emergency electrical generator that meets the General Order criteria as established by Ecology.

• General Order of Approval for Gas Fired Emergency Electrical Generators (Rich-Burn, Spark Ignition, Gaseous Fossil Fuel Powered Emergency Generators)

  Using a Rich-Burn, Spark Ignition, Gaseous Fossil Fuel Powered Emergency Generator in the counties or facilities that are regulated by Ecology. Your engine must meet the General Order conditions determined by Ecology.

• General Order of Approval for Perchloroethylene Dry Cleaners (Dry Cleaners Using Less Than 2,100 Gallons Per Year)

  Operating a dry cleaning facility that uses less than 2,100 gallons per year of Perchloroethylene. Your facility must also meet the criteria in the General Order as determined by Ecology.

• General Order of Approval for Portable Rock Crushers

  Operating a portable rock crusher facility that meets the approval conditions of this General Order as determined by Ecology may apply for the permit.

• General Order of Approval for Stationary Rock Crushers

  Your facility must meet the approval conditions as stated in the General Order Permit. A rock crushing facility that meets the approval conditions as determined by Ecology may apply for coverage under this General Order.

• Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA)

  Work that uses, diverts, obstructs, or changes the natural flow or bed of any of the salt or fresh waters of state. Includes bed reconfiguration, all construction or other work waterward, under and over the ordinary high water line, including dry channels, and may include projects landward of the ordinary high water line (e.g., activities outside the ordinary high water line that will directly impact fish life and habitat, falling trees into streams or lakes, bridge maintenance, dike construction, etc.)

• Laboratory Accreditation

  Submittal of data from analysis of environmental or drinking water samples.

• Large On-Site Sewage System Operating Permit (Between 3,500 and 100,000 gallons per day)

  Treatment and disposal of residential-strength sewage through septic tanks or other treatment processes and drainfields with a design flow, at any common point, between 3,500 and 100,000 gallons per day. Sewage containing industrial waste must be permitted by Department of Ecology, regardless of treatment and disposal method. On-site sewage systems that discharge to surface water, including those that discharge to ground through a drainfield, where groundwater is in hydraulic continuity with surface water, are regulated and permitted by Ecology.

• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

  NEPA applies to all major federal actions; federal projects, any project requiring a federal permit, receiving federal funding, or located on federal land. Application of categorical exclusions is determined by the federal agency.

• Noise Ordinance

  Local governments set maximum intruding sound level limits or adopt statewide statute.

• Notice of Intent to Construct or Decommission a Well

  Drilling activities that include

  • deepening
  • alteration
  • reconstruction or
  • decommissioning of wells.

• Noxious Aquatic and Emergent Weed Transport Permit

  Transporting noxious plants or plant parts.

• NPDES Aquatic Pesticides General Permit

  To find out the specific activities that trigger each of the NPDES Aquatic Pesticides General Permits, please select the appropriate permit link below. Once you are on the permit’s information page select the permit 'fact sheet'. • Aquatic Mosquito Control Permit • Aquatic Plant and Algae Management Permit • Aquatic Noxious Weed Permit • Irrigation System Aquatic Weed Control Permit

• NPDES Boatyard General Permit

  Operating a boatyard with a discharge of pressure wash water to a sanitary sewer or discharge of stormwater to surface waters are activities, which require coverage under this permit. A boatyard is a commercial business engaged in the construction, repair and maintenance of small vessels, 85% of which are 65 feet or less in length, or revenues from which constitute more than 85% of gross receipts. Services typically provided include, but are not limited to: pressure washing hulls, painting and coating, engine and propulsion system repair and replacement, hull repair, joinery, bilge cleaning, fuel and lubrication system repair and replacement, welding and grinding of hull, buffing and waxing, marine sanitation device (MSD) repair and replacement, and other activities necessary to maintain a vessel. This includes mobile facilities. Pollutant control is through implementation of best management practices (BMPs) or treatment.

• NPDES Construction Stormwater General Permit

  Ecology requires any construction activity which disturbs one acre or more and which may result in a discharge of stormwater to surface waters of the state, which includes storm drains, ditches, wetlands, creeks, rivers, lakes and marine waters to obtain permit coverage. For more information, please go to the construction stormwater homepage

• NPDES Fresh Fruit Packing General Permit

  New or existing fresh fruit packing facility which receives, packs, stores and/or ships either hard or soft fruit and discharges wastewater.

• NPDES General Permit Coverage

  Point source discharge of pollutants into surface waters and belonging to a category of discharger for which Ecology has developed a General NPDES permit.

• NPDES Individual Permit

  Any discharge of wastewater into surface waters through a conveyance system.

• NPDES Industrial Stormwater General Permit Coverage

  Industrial Facilities: Public or private operation of an industrial facility with a stormwater discharge to surface waters or a storm sewer.

• NPDES Municipal Stormwater General Permit

  Generally this permit is required of all cities defined as an urban area by the U.S. Census Bureau and for designated cities with a population over 10,000 located outside of urban areas.

• On-Site Sewage Disposal Permit (More than 100,000 gallons per day)

  Large On-site Sewage Systems with a design flow exceeding 100,000 gallons per day, systems whose discharge includes industrial/commercial process wastewater or stormwater, systems that discharge to the land surface (such as wetlands or infiltration lagoons without a drainfield) and systems that discharge to surface water (including those that discharge to ground, where groundwater is in hydraulic continuity with surface water).

• On-Site Sewage System Permit (Less than 3,500 gallons per day)

  The installation, repair, modification, connection to, or expansion of an on-site sewage system with design flow of less than 3,500 gallons per day of residential-strength sewage.

• Permit For Work in Navigable Waters (Section 10 Permit)

  If you plan to do any work in, over, or under navigable waters of the United States you must apply for a Section 10 Permit. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) can authorize activities by a standard individual permit, letter-of-permission, nationwide permit, or regional permit. The Corps will make the determination on what type of permit is needed. If you have general questions on the permitting process, you should contact your county’s Corps Project manager.

• Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) Air Quality Permit

  ·A new major source with the potential to emit a pollutant regulated under the Federal Clean Air Act: at 100 tons/year for 28 specific emission source types or at 250 tons/year or more for all other emission source types or ·A modification of an existing major source that increases emissions of a pollutant regulated under the Federal Clean Air Act at or above PSD Significant Emission Rates (SER).

• Private Aids to Navigation (PATON) (Non-Bridge Projects)

  Installation of a fixed structure or floating object within the waters of the United States.

• Private Applicator License

  Applying or supervising the agricultural use of any pesticide through chemigation equipment or a restricted-use pesticide on land rented or owned by the applicator or applicator's boss.

• Private Commercial Applicators License

  Applying or supervising the non-agricultural use of a restricted-use pesticide on land rented or owned by the applicator or applicator's boss.

• Public Livestock Market License

  Operating a public livestock market.

• Public Operator License

  Applying a pesticide as a government employee.

• Radioactive Air Emission Approval to Construct (New Construction)

  Any activity that emits, or has the potential to emit, radionuclides into the air.

• Radioactive Air Emission License to Operate New Facility (or Modification of an Existing Source (New Construction or Abatement))

  Any activity that emits, or has the potential to emit, radionuclides into the air.

• Radioactive Air Emissions Modification/Revision Approval to Construct (New Construction or Abatement Controls)

  Any activity that emits, or has the potential to emit, radionuclides into the air.

• Reasonably Available Control Technology Determination

  Emitting air pollutants (from an existing industrial or commercial source) that are determined by Ecology to cause an air quality impact that warrants regulation.

• Reclamation Permit

  Surface mining; A reclamation permit is required by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for each surface mine that: (1) results in more than 3 acres of disturbed ground, or (2) has a high-wall that is both higher than 30 feet and steeper than 45 degrees.

• Registration Program

  A source which is listed under the source classification list in Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 173-400-100.

• Reporting Requirement for a Spill or Release of a Hazardous Substance

  Spilling or releasing oil or a hazardous substance.

• Reservoir Permit

  Constructing a barrier across a stream, channel, or water course if the barrier will create a reservoir and construction of an off-stream impoundment exceeding the size limits given above. If the impoundment is to be constructed in the stream channel, an HPA may be required by the department of Fish and Wildlife. If the impoundment is to be constructed off- stream and filled from a stream, then a permit for water diversion to fill the impoundment will be required.

• Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Site Identification Number (RCRA Site ID)

  You need a RCRA Site ID# if you generate, transport, transfer, recycle, treat, store, or dispose of regulated amounts of dangerous waste.

• Sand & Gravel General Permit - Portable Facilities (A National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System and State Waste Discharge General Permit)

  The Department of Ecology (Ecology) requires a permit whenever a portable facility:

  • Operates at a location that does not have permit coverage for the activity the portable will be performing.
  • Operates at a location that does not have active operating status.
  • Produces crushed rock or washed gravel for forest management if a discernable, confined, and discrete conveyance discharges pollutants to surface waters of the state.
• Sand & Gravel Permit for Non-Portable Facilities (A National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System and State Waste Discharge General Permit)

  The discharge of wastewater, including process water, stormwater or mine dewatering water from industrial activities.

• Section 106 Review

  Excavating, altering, defacing, or removing archaeological objects or resources or Native Indian graves, cairns, or glyptic records.

• Shellfish Operation License and Certificate of Approval

  Commercially harvesting and/or processing molluscan shellfish (clams, oysters, mussels, scallops).

• Shoreline Conditional Use Permit

  Determined by local government and specified in their Shoreline Master Program.

• Shoreline Exemption

  Substantial Development Permit Exemption: Activities not considered substantial development are located at RCW 90.58.030. Other exemptions are listed in RCW section order below: Environmental Excellence Program: RCW 90.58.045. Agricultural Activities: RCW 90.58.065. Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council: RCW 90.58.140. Fish Habitat Enhancement Projects: RCW 90.58.147. and RCW 77.55.181. Hazardous Substance Remedial Actions: RCW 90.58.355. Emergency Water Withdrawals & Facilities: RCW 90.58.370. Secure Community Transition Facilities: RCW 90.58.390. Watershed Restoration Projects: RCW 90.58.515. Shoreline Restoration Projects: RCW 90.58.580(3).

• Shoreline Substantial Development Permit

  All non-exempt developments and uses exceeding $5,718 fair market value. For private residential docks in salt water - $2,500; in fresh water - $10,000. See RCW 90.58.030(3). Fair market value is defined in WAC 173-27-030(8).

• Shoreline Variance Permit

  Determined by local government and specified in their Shoreline Master Program.

• Solid Waste (Handling) Permit

  Operation of a solid waste facility (landfill, transfer station, recycling facility, some composting operations, etc.)

• State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)

  Any proposal that requires a state or local agency decision to license, fund, or undertake a project, or the proposed adoption of a policy, plan, or program can trigger environmental review under SEPA. (See WAC 197-11-704 for a complete definition of agency action.)

• State Wastewater Discharge Permit

  A discharge of wastewater to the ground or a discharge of industrial process wastewater to a municipal treatment plant.

• Subdivision Approvals

  Local governments, through ordinances, have primary authority to regulate the dividing of land for residential or other purposes.

• Underground Injection Control Registration

  Applicants who have installed or are planning to install an Underground Injection Control (UIC) well are required to register. New wells need to be registered before use.

• Underground Storage Tank Facility Compliance Tag/Permit

  Owning and/or operating an underground storage tank (UST).

• Underground Storage Tank Notification Requirements (UST Notification)

  Installing or removing an underground storage tank. Certain tanks are exempt from the 30-Day Notice form; to verify whether your tank is exempt please check the 30-Day Notice form.

• Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP)

  Requesting consultative services from Ecology on independent remedial actions planned or completed at a hazardous waste site.

• Waste Discharge Permit - Reclaimed Water

  Using water reclaimed according to provisions of the State Reclaimed Water Use Act.

• Waste Tire Carrier License or Waste Tire Storage Site Owner License

  Hauling waste tires and/or owning or operating a waste tire storage site.

• Wastewater Plant Operator's Certificate

  Required for being in charge of a domestic wastewater treatment plant or a shift at a plant.

• Water Right Change

  To change the place of use, point of diversion or withdrawal, add additional points of diversions or withdrawals, or change the purpose of use of an existing water right.

• Water Right, New (Permit to Withdraw or Divert Surface or Ground Water)

  To withdraw water except as listed above.

• Water System Construction and Operation Approval

  Providing water through pipes or other conveyances to one or more commercial connections or two or more residential connections where people have access to use the water. A system with four or fewer connections all of which serve residences on the same farm is excluded.

• Waterworks Operator Certification

  Operating a waterworks, or a portion of waterworks, including any treatment facilities or distribution systems.

• Well Construction and Operator's License

  A drilling license is required for all drilling activities for all types of wells including: • water wells • monitoring wells • geotech soil borings • environmental investigations wells • dewatering systems • geothermal heat pump borings.

• Wetlands

  Working in or near wetlands, areas that are transitional between open water and uplands or that may be periodically inundated or saturated.

Permit Handbook

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