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Permit Handbook -> All Permits

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All Permits - (By Category)

(show 'All Permits - A-Z')
 

Agricultural Product Requirements

  • Agent's License (Agricultural Products)

    Individuals and businesses who are authorized to receive, contract for, or solicit or negotiate the consignment or purchases of agricultural products on behalf of a licensed commission merchant, dealer, broker, or cash buyer.

  • Commission Merchant's License (Agricultural Products)

    Individuals and businesses who receive on consignment, take possession or control of, or act as brokers in the resale or processing of unprocessed agricultural products.

  • Nursery Dealer's License (Retail or Wholesale)

    A nursery retailer/wholesaler license is required for businesses that:

    • Sell or hold live plants or turf for planting, breeding, or decoration.
    • Perform landscaping and lawn maintenance which provides planting or installing new plants or turf.
    Here are some examples of businesses that are required to be licensed:
    • Wholesale and retail nurseries, growers, and garden centers.
    • Landscapers who buy plants to install.
    • Landscapers who hold or grow plants for later sale or installation.
    • Maintenance companies who install plants for customers.
    • Brokers located in Washington who buy and sell, but do not hold plants.
    • Grocery and warehouse stores that offer plants for sale.
    • Pet and aquarium stores that sell aquatic plants.
  • Seed Labeling Permit and Annual Assessment

    A person labeling seed for distribution for sale in this state.

Air Quality Permits

Aquatic Resource Permits

  • Aquatic Farm Registration

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

  • Aquatic Lands Right of Entry License

    Activities that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) commonly authorizes under this license are for recreational, scientific, or environmental purposes. The activity cannot interfere with the use and enjoyment of the state-owned aquatic lands by others.

  • Aquatic Use Authorization (Aquatic Lands Lease)

    Most activities taking place on state-owned aquatic lands may require a lease. Contact your District Land Manager to determine if your proposal requires other forms of authorization.

  • Beach Prospecting

    Mineral prospecting using equipment listed on the application, and in the following Seashore Conservation Areas:

  • Between Cape Disappointment and Leadbetter Point.
  • Between Toke Point and the South jetty on Point Chehalis.
  • Between Damon Point and the mouth of the Copalis River.
  • Between the mouth of the Copalis River and the southern border of the Quinault Indian Reservation.
  • Export Certificate (For Commercially Licensed Shellfish Companies)

    An export certificate is a document issued to commercially licensed shellfish companies that ship product (clams, mussels, oysters, geoducks) to Asian countries.

  • Fish Habitat Enhancement Projects

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

  • Fish Transport Permit

    An approved Fish Transport Permit from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is required to transport fish into and through Washington State.

  • Harvest Site Certificate

    This certificate is required for each parcel being harvested by a licensed shellfish company. It must be ready to display whenever you are in possession of commercial quantities of molluscan shellfish (clams, oysters, mussels, scallops) that you intend to sell for human consumption. DOH continually evaluates commercial shellfish growing areas and certified harvest sites to protect the public since shellfish can carry chemicals, bacteria, viruses, and marine biotoxins.

  • 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.)

  • Shellfish Operation License

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

Archaeology and Historic Preservation Permits

  • 05-05 Compliance

    Any project that is funded by state capital construction funds.

  • Archaeological Excavation Permit

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

  • Section 106 Review

    The application for federal funding, including funding passed through a state or local agency, a federal permit, license of use of federal lands.

Federal Requirements

  • 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.

  • Bridge Permit

    Construction or modification of bridges over certain navigable waters.

  • Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Federal Consistency

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

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

    If you plan to conduct ground-disturbing activities in waters of the United States, including wetlands, you may need authorization from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). A variety of activities typically require Department of the Army authorization when they occur in waters of the United States. They include, but are not limited to, placement of fill material, grading, mechanized land clearing, and redeposit of excavated/dredged material. The Corps authorizes activities by issuing individual and general permits. Under Section 404, individual permits include Standard Individual Permits, and general permits include Nationwide Permits and Regional General Permits. The Corps determines which type of permit is needed. A Department of the Army permit can include authorization under Section 10 and/or Section 404. If you have any questions about the Corps permit process, contact the Corps project manager assigned to the county where the work is proposed. The Corps strongly recommends a pre-application meeting for major projects. During a pre-application meeting you can discuss your project with the Corps and other regulatory and natural resource agencies. If you would like to set up a pre-application meeting, contact the Corps.

  • Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) License

    See Permit Description for details.

  • National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

    NEPA applies to all major federal actions: federal projects or any project requiring a federal permit, receiving federal funding, or located on federal land. The list of NEPA categorical exclusions is determined in rules specific to each federal agency.

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

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

  • Work in Navigable Waters (Department of the Army (Section 10))

    If you plan to conduct work in, over, or under navigable waters of the United States you must apply for authorization from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). The Corps authorizes activities by issuing individual and general permits. Individual permits include Standard Individual Permits and Letters of Permission, and general permits include Nationwide Permits and Regional General Permits. The Corps determines which type of permit is needed. A Department of the Army permit can include authorization under Section 10 and/or Section 404. If you have questions about the Corps permit process, contact the Corps project manager assigned to the county where the work is proposed.

Food Requirements

General Requirements

  • State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)

    Any proposal that requires a public agency action (decision) to license, fund, or undertake a project, or the proposed adoption of a policy, plan, or program can trigger environmental review under SEPA. However, there are numerous categories of projects that are exempt from SEPA. The lead agency determines if an exemption applies.

Land Resource Permits

  • 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.

  • 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.

Local Permits

  • Building Permit

    Construction of permanent buildings or additions to existing facilities.

  • 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.

  • Noise Ordinance

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

  • Shoreline Conditional Use Permit

    These are determined by local government and specified in their Shoreline Master Program.

  • Shoreline Exemption

    This is determined by the local government. Substantial Development Permit Exemption: Most activities exempt from the requirement for a substantial development permit are in the SMA, RCW 90.58.030(3). Other exemptions are scattered throughout RCW 90.58, and are listed by section order below: Forest Practices Not Regulated by the SMA: RCW 90.58.030(2)(d)(ii). Environmental Excellence Program: RCW 90.58.045. Agricultural Activities: RCW 90.58.030(3) and RCW 90.58.065. Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council: RCW 90.58.140(9). Fish Habitat Enhancement Projects: RCW 90.58.147 and RCW 77.55.181. Boatyard Storm Water Treatment Systems: RCW 90.58.355. Hazardous Substance Remedial Actions: RCW 90.58.355. Emergency Water Withdrawals & Facilities: RCW 90.58.370. 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 $6,416 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

    These are 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.)

  • Subdivision Approval

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

Pesticide and Fertilizer Permits

  • Commercial Applicator License

    Applying pesticides to the lands/property of another requires the Commercial Applicator License. This is a joint company - person license. The person who makes the pesticide application decisions for the company must obtain the license.

  • Commercial Fertilizer Registration

    No person may distribute in this state a commercial fertilizer until it has been registered with the Washington Department of Agriculture (WSDA) by the producer, importer, or packager of that product. An additional registration requirement for waste-derived fertilizers was added to the fertilizer law in 1998. Waste-derived and micronutrient fertilizers must go through a Department of Ecology review before being registered by WSDA.

  • Commercial Operator License

    Applying pesticides to the lands/property of another while employed by a Commercial Applicator company requires the license.

  • Private Applicator License

    Applying or supervising the use of restricted use pesticides on your own or your employer's property for the purpose of producing an agricultural commodity.

  • Private Commercial Applicators License

    The purpose is to license persons who apply restricted use pesticides to their own or their employer's property for a purpose other than the production of an agricultural commodity. This may include private golf courses, wood treatment plants and grain storage bins when the grain is owned by the employer.

  • Public Operator License

    Applying a pesticide as a government employee.

Waste and Toxic Substance Permits

Water Quality Permits

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

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

  • 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 60 days a year.

  • Laboratory Accreditation

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

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

    Installation and operation of LOSS to treat residential-strength sewage through septic tanks or other treatment processes and dispersal through drainfields when there is a peak daily flow, at any common point, between 3,500 and 100,000 gallons per day.

  • NPDES Aquatic Mosquito Control Permit

    See "What is the purpose of this permit." To find out the specific activities that trigger this permit, go to the Aquatic Mosquito Control General Permit website and click on "Fact Sheet."

  • NPDES Aquatic Noxious Weed Control General Permit

    See "What is the purpose of this permit." To find out the specific activities that trigger this permit, go to the Aquatic Noxious Weed Permit website and click on "Fact Sheet."

  • NPDES Aquatic Plant and Algae Management Permit

    See "What is the purpose of this permit." To find out the specific activities that trigger this permit, go to the Aquatic Plant and Algae Management Permit website and click on "Fact Sheet."

  • 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

    The permit is required if clearing, grading or excavating activities disturb an area of 1 acre or more and will discharge stormwater to surface waters of the state or a conveyance system that drains to surface waters of the state. The permit is also required if clearing, grading or excavating activities disturb an area smaller than 1 acre if it is part of a "larger common plan of development or sale" that will disturb 1 acre or more and discharge stormwater to surface waters of the state or a conveyance system that drains to surface waters of the state. "Surface waters of the state" are broadly defined by state law and includes storm drains, ditches, wetlands, creeks, rivers, lakes and marine waters to obtain permit coverage. In addition to these permit triggers, Ecology reserves the right to require permit coverage at a construction site of any size, if Ecology believes that the site may be a significant contributor of pollutants to waters of the State of Washington or reasonably expects the site to cause a violation of water quality standards. 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

    Ecology issues general permits for point source discharges of pollutants into surface waters that belong to a category of discharger for which Ecology has developed a general NPDES permit.

  • NPDES Individual Permit

    Any discharge of wastewater and/or stormwater into surface waters through a conveyance system for which Ecology has not developed a general permit requires an individual NPDES permit.

  • 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 Irrigation System Aquatic Weed Control General Permit

    See "What is the purpose of this permit." To find out the specific activities that trigger this permit, go to the Irrigation System Aquatic Weed Control General Permit website and click on "Fact Sheet."

  • NPDES Municipal Stormwater General Permit

    Generally this permit is required of all municipalities within U.S. Census Bureau-defined urban areas and for designated cities with a population over 10,000 located outside of urban areas. Urbanized areas are population centers with greater than 50,000 people and densities of at least 1,000 people per square mile, with surrounding areas having densities of at least 500 people per square mile. The urbanized areas in this permit are based on the 2000 population census. The Washington State Department of Transportation is also required to have coverage within permitted municipalities. Other public entities (such as ports, prison complexes, parks and drainage districts, and universities) that own or operate a storm sewer system and are located within a permitted municipality may require coverage. Ecology uses the term Secondary Permittees to refer to these entities. The MS4s of Secondary Permittees are publicly owned or operated and serve more than 1,000 people on an average day. For ports, schools, colleges and universities the population figures include commuters as well as residents.

  • NPDES Sand & Gravel General Permit for Portable Facilities

    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.
  • NPDES Sand & Gravel Permit for Non-Portable Facilities

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

  • 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)

    A permit or approval is needed before the installation, repair, modification, connection to, or expansion of an on-site sewage system with a peak daily flow of less than 3,500 gallons of residential-strength sewage.

  • State Wastewater Discharge Permit

    A discharge of wastewater to the ground or a discharge of industrial process wastewater to a privately or publicly owned wastewater treatment plant.

  • 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. Existing UIC wells that have not been registered with Ecology need to register as well (if on Tribal land register with EPA Region 10).

  • Waste Discharge Permit - Reclaimed Water

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

  • Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification

    Required for being the operator in responsible charge of a domestic wastewater treatment plant or the lead operator of each shift at a domestic wastewater treatment plant.

  • Water System Construction and Operation Approval

    Providing water through pipes or other conveyances to one or more commercial connections or two or more residential service 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.

Water Resource Permits

  • 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.

  • Notice of Intent to Construct or Decommission a Well

    Drilling activities that include:

    • Deepening.
    • Alteration.
    • Reconstruction.
    • Decommissioning of wells.
  • 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, a Hydraulic Project Approval may be required by the Washington 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.

  • 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 Groundwater)

    To withdraw water and put it to beneficial use except as listed above.

  • 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.
    • Geothermal heat pump borings.
    • Dewatering systems.

Wetland Permits

  • Wetland Mitigation Bank Certification

    Establishment and operation of a wetland mitigation bank. A wetland mitigation bank is a site where wetlands are restored, created, enhanced, or preserved.

  • Wetlands

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

 

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